How to manage your password smartly

Typically you don't wanna have more than two or three passwords memorized inside your head.

But most of the time that's not a choice. Some sites force you to have alphanumeric passwords, while your banks and credit card access force you to have only numeric passwords.

When it comes time for you to change your password, life start to get really complicated. Sometimes it's the computer system force you to have a new password, sometimes you get phished, sometimes a girlfriend who know your password just broke up with you.

If you are like any friend I know, changing password means having a new kid. Pretty soon you're gonna forget which kid is where, which password is for which login.

That's why password manager is so important to me. There are plenty of great password manager out there. I personally have been using Oubliette for some time (though it's been discontinued). But I know not a lot of people are that diligent with one.

The truth is most people are not that security-conscious. But the way the web has evolved, password manager is no longer about security anymore. It's about freeing up your mind from the unnecessary trash like memorizing seven set of passwords. That's what GTD is all about, take your mind off the mundane stuffs.

As far as password manager goes, there are two way around it. First is the most common option: desktop software solution. Like Oubliette, they typically offer strong encryption, storing your login names, passwords, URLs, emails, categories, and additional notes for each account. For the most secure option, this is the best way to go.

However, I find it increasingly inconvenient that I have to make sure I have the most updated copy of the password file on my thumb drive. If you are like me and use different PCs in multiple locations, you better make sure you have your password file synchronized or you'd regret it just when you need it.

But the worst is when you are using a PC as a guest, and your password manager is not installed there, which is most likely the case.

So I resort to building a web-based password manager, onelurv. Two major reasons I can't do without it.

First is obvious, I have access to it anywhere, no installation needed.

Secondly, I can login to my sites with just one click. Truth is, I'm getting sick and tired of copy and pasting login/password back and forth between my browser and password manager. So I built onelurv to store my login/password and log me in with one click, no more sign in form.

Hence, web-based password manager would be viable if you are less security-demanding and more convenience-oriented.

Online Scams: How To Avoid Getting Fooled

Beware of the three ways of getting fooled into giving up your money through seemingly innocent money-making schemes. Scams are all around us and it can be found in every single area of life, but more so in such areas where the risk is greater such as when dealing with credit cards, bank accounts and other activities which involve sending or receiving money online.

The Bank/Credit Card Email Scam:
If you get an email asking you to sign up to your bank account or credit card through the email because your privacy is under danger or just to receive a free gift or something: BEWARE! Do not sign up through the internet address provided in the email. If the email does make you anxious, go to the bank or credit card site using the address you know already or through searching the search engines.
How Does This Scam Work?
The senders of the email know that only a very few will sign up but that is all they need. When you signed up to the bogus internet address, they got your user and password. Now its time for them to party!

The Missing Millionaire Scam:
If you receive an email saying that they represent a dead or missing former ruler, high-ranking official or businessman from an African, Gulf or even Russian: BEWARE! They offer you a chance to earn anything between one to five percent of ten to fifty million. And for your co-operation only. Don't get sucked into this, for though they speak of giving you money, they will receive cash and from your account.
How Does This Scam Work?
They will ask you for your bank details in order to transfer the cash and then they will use that to transfer a small amount. Now, once you trust them, they will ask you for more personal and secure details because they "need" that to transfer the entire sum in and out of your account. What they won't tell you is that they will transfer all the money out from your account: theirs and yours.

The Make Money Fast Scam:
This is the most innocent of the lot, but that is also why it is the most dangerous. These are so-called companies that advertise that if you only sign up and use their system, you will mint money. Please do not fall for such schemes. They will pay you some money but then once trust is built, they will fleece your bank account. Remember that quick money scams are the surest and fastest way to lose all your money!

Conclusion:
Whatever you do online, always remember that the internet is not a safe place. Treat it like you would treat any other business venture and bring up your guard. If you play it safe and check out the companies before committing, you will be able to guard yourself against losing money to crooks.