Do you use a password manager?

Sunny

Sunny

SF VIP
Location
Maryland
I just got an email saying that some of my ID has been compromised by a data breach. The web site that was hacked was a site that sells t-shirts, from which I recently ordered one. It said the data involved in the breach was phone numbers and email addresses. This could be a nuisance, probably more robocalls and junk email, but not really worrisome, I don't think.

The notice was sent to me by Firefox, which strongly encourages using a password manager, to protect passwords so you don't have to keep changing them. I don't really see what passwords had to do with this data breach anyway, since that is not apparently what they stole. But as a general safety measure, is it a good idea? How safe are these password managers from being hacked themselves? Does anyone here use one?

And how do you evaluate the different password managers for safety?
 

I use a password manager program, RoboForm, that stores my information on my hard drive. I've been using it for years and so far, haven't had any problems with it.
 
I use the paper and pencil method also. I guess I'll just stick with it. Thanks for the info.
 
I have 40 different passwords that I use and rotate every 6 months, I rotate them manually using a telephone/address book.
 
I only use paper and pencil too, important passwords for things like bank accounts are kept in the safe, unimportant passwords are kept in a steno pad near the computer.
 
I have a MS Word document with a password. All my info for accounts, URLs & their passwords is in that Word doc. Tha Word doc is on my computer only, not on a cloud, etc.
 
I have an old tattered notebook filled with doodles and notes that makes no sense to anyone but me.

I usually remember the various passwords but every now and then I have a senior moment that leaves me without a clue and I have to dig out the notebook.
 
I'm near-obsessive about cyber security.

My free password manager generates and remembers extremely complex passwords. If it's accessed from a different computer or IP address I get an immediate email. (My email manager is also password protected.)

To get into that password manager requires a PW that I created with over 25 letters, numbers and characters AND a second verification from my cell phone (which requires a fingerprint or pattern swipe to unlock) so hacking it would be extremely difficult. The only copy of that password is in my bank safety deposit box, and there's no explanation for what it is. Just the PW. My husband and daughter know it's there.

My banking site passwords would make your head spin.
 
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