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Handsome Jack Handsome Jack is offline
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Default Storing passwords and associated security questions - X-post

David posted
At the moment I keep a folder (well, more than one) with details like
online access passwords and security questions for various accounts.
Passwords kept with all the other paper work for the account.

Recently I unexpectedly needed some details whilst away from home, so the
system failed!

I am planning now to record the details on portable media for future
proofing. This also allows random answers to obvious questions like
mother's maiden name, first school etc.

I know you can get password managers which can sync between devices but
this places a lot of trust in a remote service, and LastPass has had some
bad press recently.

Assuming that I don't necessarily want automatic generation of long random
passwords and then pasting of them into web browser fields is there any
reason not to use a flat file (or simple spreadsheet) to record all the
details then use a free encryption package to secure them?

Probably stored on a USB stick.

The main platform would be Windows 10 but Android support would be a
bonus.

The solution should work on the home desktops and the travelling laptops,
so not tied to one PC.

This would also assist in a long overdue upgrade in general security.

Any recommendations most welcome.


I use freeware software (http://www.aescrypt.com/download/) to encrypt a
flat text file containing account details. Not GCHQ-proof, but probably
good enough for most practical purposes. I also keep a paper print-out
in a safe place.

In principle, you could FTP the encrypted file to a hidden page on your
website so you can download it from anywhere, without using a USB stick.
(I don't because I rarely travel.)

--
Jack