How To Select a Password Keeper

Unless you are one of those people that uses the exact same password for everything you touch (if this is you, please send me your login info so that I can rob you blind to teach you a lesson), you must find it incredibly difficult to remember each and every password that you use. Sure, you could write them down on a scrap piece of paper and stuff it into your wallet. Have you ever tried encrypting that data? How about password protecting your wallet? No? Try it now...I'll wait.

Didn't go so well, did it? I didn't think so. You may want to consider using a password keeper.

What's a password keeper? Well, it's nothing like a Trapper Keeper (as cool as that would be). Simply put, it's a piece of software that you can use to store any type of password that you wish. Anything from web site logins, online banking login information, system/network login information, ATM PIN numbers, and even contacts. This data is stored in one place, encrypted, and made available to you under one master login, or key. Then, when you need to login into a website, network, etc. that requires a login, the software pre-populates the login fields, alleviating the need for you to remember the credentials.

Selecting the right piece of software isn't something you should take lightly. There are LOADS of options available. Here is a list of things to consider when looking for the right one:

1. Don't use ANYTHING that is hosted online. I don't think I should have to say this, but I will anyway. Using an online service to store your information means that someone else has access to it. Remember what I said earlier -- asking you to send me your login information? Well, that would be just to teach you a lesson. Chances are, someone out there would use your data for bad.
2. Look for a piece of software that will run on your operating system. Mac OS X comes with software already, and it works quite well. But, if you aren't running a Mac, then you'll need to find something to run on your machine. There are options that run on Windows, Linux, UNIX, etc. Start here to narrow down your choices.
3. Encryption. Encryption. Encryption. Simply put, make sure that the software you are using encrypts the data it stores.
4. Don't download free software. While free software is always nice to have -- save your free download party points for a text editor. Remember, you always get what you pay for.  Spend a few bucks--this is your important data we're talking about here.