Passwords are the bane of my life!

jaypeecee · Aug 18, 2013

Hi Folks,

I do apologize if this topic has been raised recently. I tried to do a search but things went haywire.

Anyway, I was wondering how others cope with managing and needing to use passwords so frequently on Android. Although I use a password manager, it's a pain in the proverbial when you're in the middle of doing something to come out of it, start up the password manager, find the relevant app, read the password, memorize it...you get the picture. Surely, there must be a better way.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments?

JPC

Hadron · Aug 18, 2013

Which things is it you need passwords for? I use them for purchases on the Play Store, for unlocking the phone, and for encrypting some notes, but all of these are optional. Many web browsers can store sites' passwords. So why do you find you need to use so many passwords if you don't wish to?

funkylogik · Aug 18, 2013

What i do, because i have the worst memory ever (and i dont recommend this lol) i use the same strong password ive used for years for EVERYTHING except Google lol. Im not very security conscious and i can type that password without even thinking about it

Slug · Aug 18, 2013

jaypeecee said:
I was wondering how others cope with managing and needing to use passwords so frequently on Android.

I use KeepPass Password Safe on my desktop PC, and have its database file in Dropbox. That way it's in sync with my handsets and can be accessed with KeePassDroid.

jaypeecee · Aug 18, 2013

Hadron said:
Which things is it you need passwords for? I use them for purchases on the Play Store, for unlocking the phone, and for encrypting some notes, but all of these are optional. Many web browsers can store sites' passwords. So why do you find you need to use so many passwords if you don't wish to?

Hi Hadron,

Thanks for the reply.

Firstly, I had been led to believe that browsers don't securely store passwords. So, I don't let them. Secondly, when I'm composing an email, for example, I may need to refer to an app so I need to log into it. Hence, I use a password. This happens often.

JPC

zuben el genub · Aug 18, 2013

I've got them in a text file on the computer NOT named passwords. I just copy and paste. I have quite a few personas around and just find something that goes with whichever persona.
I only use a couple of the same sites on Android, so the passwords have been memorized.

chanchan05 · Aug 18, 2013

jaypeecee said:
Hi Hadron,

Thanks for the reply.

Firstly, I had been led to believe that browsers don't securely store passwords. So, I don't let them. Secondly, when I'm composing an email, for example, I may need to refer to an app so I need to log into it. Hence, I use a password. This happens often.

JPC

You mean you log off every app you use? Just leave them logged in and put a password on the phone itself. Logging out of apps is tedious, especially since you won't get notifications if someone messages your or something in that app.

UncleMike · Aug 18, 2013

Slug said:
I use KeepPass Password Safe on my desktop PC, and have its database file in Dropbox. That way it's in sync with my handsets and can be accessed with KeePassDroid.

I've been doing the exact same thing for a couple of years.I can't believe I didn't do it sooner.

But I don't find myself entering passwords on my phone that often for it to be a problem. I do have a few passwords saved in the browser, but not for anything critical. If I find an app requires me to login too often I just won't use it. One of my biggest gripes about Verizon's FiOS apps used to be that they would save my password, but only for two weeks. I eventually programmed Tasker to put the app password in the clipboard whenever I started the app. The FiOS apps I currently use don't do this. More recently, QuickBooks Online and American Express Receipt Manager required login beyond the initial opening of the app. This was enough to spoil my evaluation of QuickBooks online (though I had plenty of other reasons to not continue past the evaluation), and I now submit my Amex receipts via email - no password required.

If the user is security conscious enough to have a device PIN/pattern lock set, apps should be smart enough to not require additional passwords, or at least allow to user to opt out of requiring the password with each use of the app.

zuben el genub · Aug 18, 2013

chanchan05 said:
You mean you log off every app you use? Just leave them logged in and put a password on the phone itself. Logging out of apps is tedious, especially since you won't get notifications if someone messages your or something in that app.

Who wants the notifications, anyway? I do that with all sites on the computer just to be a PITA. I only have one app passworded on the phone.
The rest don't need it. I don't mind sharing Audubon nature books, or astronomy programs with another user. I have nothing personal except Pocket Money, and even then, I don't list which bank I use. I can't lock the whole phone as Vulcan couldn't use it. He'd never remember.

I just feel the phone and apps are there for my convenience and no one else's. If you posted a FB message, I'd check it when I felt like it, and not the minute the notice appeared. Same with any other notice.

Good reasons to - if you are driving, pay attention to what you are doing.
If you are talking to another person face to face, grabbing the phone to check a post is RUDE!

chanchan05 · Aug 18, 2013

zuben el genub said:
Who wants the notifications, anyway? I do that with all sites on the computer just to be a PITA. I only have one app passworded on the phone.
The rest don't need it. I don't mind sharing Audubon nature books, or astronomy programs with another user. I have nothing personal except Pocket Money, and even then, I don't list which bank I use. I can't lock the whole phone as Vulcan couldn't use it. He'd never remember.

I just feel the phone and apps are there for my convenience and no one else's. If you posted a FB message, I'd check it when I felt like it, and not the minute the notice appeared. Same with any other notice.

Good reasons to - if you are driving, pay attention to what you are doing.
If you are talking to another person face to face, grabbing the phone to check a post is RUDE!

Depends on how you are connected. Besides I can regulate the notifications anyway. Using your Facebook example, my school uses it's Facebook page to notify students of stuff. For example, if my school posts a suspended classes announcement (it's typhoon season here right now), I get notified via Facebook. In my case, Facebook notifications is a bigger convenience than not.

As for talking, a quick glance on the notification pane can tell me if a notification is important or not, and don't do it mid sentence.

gtbarry · Aug 18, 2013

For me to bring my passwords from the computer to touchscreen I noticed that some passwords are just harder to type on touch.

Look at your keyboard and figure out an easy password for the keyboard you use on your phone. Don't go left to right and make it "qwert". But perhaps if you start on the furthest left keys you can do: Qa_Ws$ Meanwhile the same keys on a different keyboard would be: Qa#Ws!

Medion · Aug 18, 2013

Slug said:
I use KeepPass Password Safe on my desktop PC, and have its database file in Dropbox. That way it's in sync with my handsets and can be accessed with KeePassDroid.

This is the exact setup that I use.

gtbarry · Aug 18, 2013

funkylogik said:
What i do, because i have the worst memory ever (and i dont recommend this lol) i use the same strong password ive used for years for EVERYTHING except Google lol. Im not very security conscious and i can type that password without even thinking about it

Hack incoming funky! You may want to duck

funkylogik · Aug 18, 2013

D'oh :banghead:

Slug · Aug 18, 2013

zuben el genub said:
Who wants the notifications, anyway?

I do, and that's my choice. You point is?

I just feel the phone and apps are there for my convenience and no one else's. If you posted a FB message, I'd check it when I felt like it, and not the minute the notice appeared. Same with any other notice.

Fine, that's your choice and you're welcome to make it. Not everyone feels the same - for example, if I want to shop online I'd like to do it from my handset thanks, and that requires passwords. The storing and usage of which is the topic of this thread, after all.

Sahri · Aug 18, 2013

zuben el genub said:
I've got them in a text file on the computer NOT named passwords. I just copy and paste. I have quite a few personas around and just find something that goes with whichever persona.
I only use a couple of the same sites on Android, so the passwords have been memorized.

As long as it's only you using the computer, I don't see too many problems with that but I don't encourage it. I've been using KeePass for around a year I think and I've wondered how I could ever have been able to get by without.

zuben el genub · Aug 18, 2013

Someone would have to know geological terms or various obscenities. I might put them under Ankylosaurs or Mesozoic. Or even stick them in the Messier list. I don't think too many people would read through a Messier list for fun. I'd use whatever format the list was in. If PDF, Adobe Illustrator edits it.

If you find the phone handy for everything, that's fine with me. I just got tired of snide remarks about not using a cell phone for what it was "intended" for. Dumb phones don't do the apps I do want, and PDAs don't make phone calls. The remark about Luddites annoyed me.

divinebovine · Aug 19, 2013

jaypeecee said:
Firstly, I had been led to believe that browsers don't securely store passwords.

That is correct. They tend to have some kind of encryption but nothing serious; you don't even have to enter a password to get the browser to access your passwords!

zuben el genub said:
Someone would have to know geological terms or various obscenities. I might put them under Ankylosaurs or Mesozoic. Or even stick them in the Messier list. I don't think too many people would read through a Messier list for fun. I'd use whatever format the list was in. If PDF, Adobe Illustrator edits it.

You're giving away your secrets man!

If you find the phone handy for everything, that's fine with me. I just got tired of snide remarks about not using a cell phone for what it was "intended" for.

Indeed. Sometimes it's good to notify someone if you think they are unaware of something, but it's good to avoid harping on points about someone's usage. We each use our devices how we want.

The remark about Luddites annoyed me.

I thought it was funny how narrow the view was that produced that remark.

funkylogik · Aug 19, 2013

Wth is a luddite anyway? Cba googling it lol n im scared incase im one

Stannis the Mannis · Aug 19, 2013

funkylogik said:
Wth is a luddite anyway? Cba googling it lol n im scared incase im one

People who are afraid of tech and are complacent with the way things are.

funkylogik · Aug 19, 2013

Thanks pal... WTF now I'M offended lol! Dont think im a "luditte". Gona have to read back and retaliate

Ionkiller · Aug 19, 2013

I only use the passwords for optional stuff, like locking the device. I get so tired of word-passes, I prefer gesture-like passes.

zuben el genub · Aug 19, 2013

Luddite was rather narrowminded. It was also funny. No, I'm not giving away secrets. I still have rock formation names, Arabic names for stars, Photography, Sewing, and a few other terms. And a working Palm device which I can use.
I read a lot.

Re Passwords:
Found this - LastPass Passwords Exposed for Some Internet Explorer Users

I like tech, but some of it is so much BS.

Medion · Aug 19, 2013

zuben el genub said:
Re Passwords:
Found this - LastPass Passwords Exposed for Some Internet Explorer Users

I like tech, but some of it is so much BS.

That's why I prefer KeePass. It's an encrypted file that you store. It's harder to crack than that list that you keep.

Just keep in mind that I'm not criticizing you for keeping a list. Purpose of my post was to differentiate between services like LastPass (cloud-based password storage), and KeePass (encrypted file, personally stored).

Tattycakes · Aug 20, 2013

Medion said:
That's why I prefer KeePass. It's an encrypted file that you store. It's harder to crack than that list that you keep.

Just keep in mind that I'm not criticizing you for keeping a list. Purpose of my post was to differentiate between services like LastPass (cloud-based password storage), and KeePass (encrypted file, personally stored).

How do you handle passwords across multiple devices with something like that? I've just started using LastPass but I haven't yet changed all my previously unsecure passwords to new secure-and-hard-to-remember-ones. Once I do, I'm going to have to either remember the passwords or access my LastPass app on any computer or mobile device where need to log into anything that's saved in LastPass!

Passwords are the bane of my life!

Well-Known Member

Spacecorp test pilot

share the love peeps ;)

Check six!

Well-Known Member

Extreme Android User

The Doctor

Android Expert

Extreme Android User

The Doctor

Android Expert

Android Expert

Android Expert

share the love peeps ;)

Check six!

Newbie

Extreme Android User

Android Expert

share the love peeps ;)

Rapscallion

share the love peeps ;)

Newbie

Extreme Android User

Android Expert

Well-Known Member

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads