What is it? You have dozens of accounts on all kinds of websites and other systems, each of whom wants you to pick a secure password. But they all have different rules, and anyway, you can't even remember one secure password that consists of a random string of letters and numbers, let alone dozens of them!
So, you use simple, easy to remember (and easy to guess) passwords, or you use the same password everywhere. We all do it. But in these days of identity theft, that is a very bad idea!
Enter PasswordCard ... A PasswordCard is a credit card-sized card you keep in your wallet, which lets you pick very secure passwords for all your websites, without having to remember them! You just keep them with you, and even if your wallet does get stolen, the thief will still not know your actual passwords.
How does it work? ... PasswordCard has a unique grid of random letters and digits on it. The rows have different colors, and the columns different symbols. All you do is remember a combination of a symbol and a color, and then read the letters and digits from there. It couldn't be simpler!
You can optionally include an area that has only digits which you can use for PIN's, and you can also choose to include symbols if you use sites which require your passwords to include them. Remember that you can still use the digits-only area for regular passwords, for any site which allows numbers in its passwords!
But I thought we weren't supposed to write down our passwords? ... A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It's far safer to pick secure passwords and write them down, than it is to remember simple and easy to guess passwords. You already protect your wallet very well, and even if it does get stolen the thief will still not know which of the many thousands of possibilities on the card is your password.
Instructions: Go to http://passwordcard.org/ and locate the card and create a new one.
1. Cut out your PasswordCard and keep it in your wallet.
2. If you want, laminate the card with some adhesive clear film.
3. Keep the rest of the page; it has the card number and selected options on it so that you can regenerate the card if you ever lose it!
4. Pick a direction. You don't have to go from left to right to read your passwords, you can go from right to left, up or down, or even diagonally. It's probably a good idea to pick one direction though, even if you use your PasswordCard for multiple passwords.
5. Pick a password length. Eight is pretty secure and acceptable. Again, it's a good idea to pick one length.
6. Pick a color and a symbol for each password. You can use one password for all your sites, but that still wouldn't be very safe. It's a good idea to at least have different passwords for very important sites, such as Internet banking sites.
7. Change your passwords on your websites to the one(s) from your PasswordCard.
8. Enjoy your new feeling of safety and peace of mind... :-)
