Control all your passwords

More and more items are password protected. Joe Cassels removes the headache of having to remember them all.


With the wonders of Chip and PIN, plus numerous online accounts with usernames and passwords for security, our memories are being tested more than ever before. The shortcomings of password protection are well known, with many people resorting to using the same password for everything or writing passwords down close to where they are needed. We seem to be torn between risking lower security and the virtual equivalent of locking the keys in the car. Until reliable, trustworthy and cost effective biometrics becomes widespread, we have to deal with the problem of passwords.

One simple solution is to store passwords in text files on your PC. As long as no one else can access your computer physically or hack it via the internet, you should be OK, but it’s little better than sticking a Post-It note on the monitor. By using a password protected zip file you can improve security a little, but there’s still the problem of remembering what authentication details go with what account. It would make much more sense if you could store your passwords alongside access information in a secure environment. This is what Password Agent Lite enables you to do.

The program is available from Moon Software at www.moonsoftware.com/pwagent.asp. It combines a secure password generator with a simple database that stores account information for different web sites. The file containing all your passwords is password protected, so you’re left with the problem of remembering this particular password, but it’s less onerous than trying to recall dozens of them. No security system is perfect, but this provides a much better option than using the same details for every account. If you need to take your passwords on the road with you, choose File, Take with me and follow the wizard to copy your data and the program itself to a removable flash drive.

Password Agent Lite is free to use. You’re limited to 25 passwords per password file. If you need to store more than this, you’ll need to buy the full version of the program, which costs $24.95 (around £14.50). Alternatively, you could just create two or more password files.

Password Agent Lite Use this helpful utility to manage all your most important passwords.


1
Once you’ve launched Password Agent Lite, choose Create a new file. Enter a filename and browse to a location. Click Save. This is where your passwords will be stored. You must enter a master password to lock this file. Ensure this is a secure password.


2
Now you can set up other passwords. Select Entry, New Account. A secure password is automatically generated for you. Enter the username, site URL and any notes. Remember that you’ll have to change your existing account password to this new one.


3
To sign into the site associated with this password, select the account and choose Entry, Open Link. Your browser opens at the web page for this account. Select Entry, Copy User ID or Copy Password. You can paste these into the web site’s authentication dialog.