The building I work in has designated alcoves at the four corners for smokers. I smoke in the alcove that faces the parking lot since it's the closest to the front door and it's winter. This building has a gym in it operated by some megachain that I won't name to protect the stupid. Said gym has it's management/bookkeeping office in the space by the window that looks out onto this alcove. The bookkeeper's desk and computer are by the window. There is a piece of paper taped to the desk, on this piece of paper are only two pieces of information.

username: nameofthegym44761
password: randomstring44761

The filing cabinet beside this desk has 5 post-it notes on it. 4 of which are directions on how to access the bookkeeping and management software, 1 of which contains this info:

management login
username: someonesname
password: veryeasytoguessfourletterword

The point of this thread? Don't write your login credentials down and then tape them to your desk, especially when there's a window opening onto the street right beside your desk. That's literally almost as stupid as telling your browser to save your passwords (if you do, stop doing this, it saves them in an easy to access file, usually in plaintext). If you have to write them down, do so in a book that you can lock up when not in use, this same book is where you should write your directions on how to access something, putting it somewhere anyone can read is a bad idea. If I was a malicious person, I could potentially use these login credentials to ripoff the gym, I'm not going to (which is why I obfuscated them) and have already notified said gym that their security was compromised by a chance look in the window. Learn by this gym's example, and keep your login creds for everything safe!

 

lol

that's why I have maybe 3 or 4 different usernames and passwords for EVERYTHING

I don't tell anyone what they are, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, and I can easily remember them



I also like to cycle them around occasionally so that if somehow someone finds out the password, it won't stay that password for long

 

Our IT guy at work made a bunch of these into Post-It notes and sticks them around the screen when he see's such activity:

 

and most of my passwords not only contain 2 to 6 letters, but between 2 to 6 numbers as well

 

I like to use phrases and substitute numbers for letters...

.

 

C@nY0uGu3ss

That's an old one I have not used in a few years...

 

The problem I have is answering those simple questions when you forget your password. What is your favorite food? What is your pets name? So many choices...

 

Another tip: do not, ever, use a actual word in the dictionary as your password. You would be surprised how easy it is to write a program that keeps trying words from dictionary files until it works (called brute force passcode cracking).

 

so set the "answer" to another password... i was born in, first drove, mom's middle name and my first pet name is all the same


i have 3 or 4 passwords, each with multiple revisions/variations.. most have upper, lower, numbers and special characters and NONE can be found in the dictionary

 

my passwords are all thought up horrable words for my ex wife.. haha