Passwords on the Mac

BillN

Hall of Famer
Location
S W France
Name
Bill
It would be great if you "seasoned" users gave me some advice on what's the best way to use passwords on the Mac - the filevault etc.,

now that i've reached the "alzheimer" age, my memory is not as good as it used to be so unless I write stuff down - I can be known to forget things.

all I use to date is just a log on password

what do you experts advise?
 
They are regarded as pretty "hack proof" though the introduction of intel chips and a higher % of Mac users has made them more attractive to hackers.
Its generally a good idea to not have passwords stored anywhere on a computer, even a Mac. I generally store site and software passwords on mine and keep the sensitive stuff, like bank details separately, mostly in my memory, but also written down in a secure place. I would also advise making these sensitive passwords obscure, but memorable. Don't use birthdays, anniverseries, family names etc. Most of my passwords are obscure photography references, which I can remember but which would be impossible to guess. Its also a good idea to change them regularly.

It would be great if you "seasoned" users gave me some advice on what's the best way to use passwords on the Mac - the filevault etc.,

now that i've reached the "alzheimer" age, my memory is not as good as it used to be so unless I write stuff down - I can be known to forget things.

all I use to date is just a log on password

what do you experts advise?
 
Your question can be answered in one word - "1 Password": 1Password

It does cost a little but I find it the best software I have ever bought. On the Web it works with Safari, Firefox and Chrome mostly by just choosing "sign in" via right-click on the sign-in page. Any other passwords can also be stored. You can keep the password file in your Dropbox so that it is available to all your computers. Because 1Password is doing the remembering you can use really strong random passwords, which it provides if you wish.

Richard
 
Your question can be answered in one word - "1 Password": 1Password

It does cost a little but I find it the best software I have ever bought. On the Web it works with Safari, Firefox and Chrome mostly by just choosing "sign in" via right-click on the sign-in page. Any other passwords can also be stored. You can keep the password file in your Dropbox so that it is available to all your computers. Because 1Password is doing the remembering you can use really strong random passwords, which it provides if you wish.

Richard

Agreed.

We run a large number of Macs in a corporate environment which requires us t be certified for the highest levels of security. 1Password is an approved application.

It is also recommended that on your Mac, under System preferences - Security - Firewall - Advanced: select 'Enable Stealth Mode'.
 
Can someone explain to a nontechie person how this is safe?
I am not an expert and I don't know a simple answer to this, but I would say that nothing is safe but 1Password is safer! Because you don't have to remember them you can use different passwords for every web site or whatever so if you do reveal one password accidentally the others are secure. You still have to remember a Master Password that allows you to use the application and like most things if someone has access to you physical computer you are less secure. If you worry about being in control of all these obscure passwords if the application stops working you can print out a list in text form and store it in your safe or a list in a computer file which you can protect with password. The 1Password User Guide/FAQ/Tutorials is at 1Password User Guide

Pelao appears to be better placed than I to answer this, maybe he'll come back on it.

Richard
 
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