Work Passwords: Tips for Creating Passwords You Can Remember
For some, every month or so you’re asked to robotically type in a password in order to get into your company’s computer system. Day in and day out you’re used to typing in the same thing. And then it happens, you’re asked to type in a new password. Oh and these days, the plea to change your password now has an intelligence to it. It now has to have a capital letter in it, longer than 6 letters and a number somewhere. Why the complication? We get it, there has to be security but what the computer doesn’t realize is that we are merely common folk and can’t keep up with all the passwords we use. Writing down passwords isn't a logical choice. For one, someone could see it and two, there's a high possibility that you will write it on some random piece of paper only to later find out you threw it away. So what is one to do? Here I give you a few suggestions on what to use for your password choices to make it a little easier for you.
Monthly Countup
January, February, March13….you get the drift. All the months of the year are perfect for a password that needs to be changed every month or every other month. As you see with March, if there aren’t enough characters for your password thirsty computer, just add the year to it. This also goes for passwords needing to contain at least one number. Just be wise as to use the current month of when you have to change your password. Remember, the whole point is to be able to remember what you've changed it to as well. Using months out of order only causes confusion.
Calendar Photos
To stay in the theme of using the months as passwords, try using a calendar too. Use the photo that corresponds with each month. Gotta photo of a beautiful tropical island? If it’s in Maui, let Maui be your new password. If it’s of those adorable golden retriever pups snuggling together, then there you go. Keeping up with your calendar’s display will keep you going for another 12 months.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Who doesn’t know Roy G. Biv? Okay, not everyone might know the answer to that but it’s a colorful way to remember your password. For those that don’t know what Roy G. Biv is, it’s the colors that make up a rainbow. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Right there I just gave you 7 memorable choices for your passwords and now you also know the colors of the rainbow to boot! Again, for the shorter words just add on the year or the numerical order of which the color is in (i.e. red2013, green4, etc.) and you’re good.
What’s Your Sign?
You don’t have to just use these babies to see if you’re compatible with someone or to see if you’re future looks bright. Try putting them to use for the next time your old password’s time is up. This will bring you a total of 12 prospects for passwords. Follow the months of the calendar and you’ll have no problem keeping up with what your last password was and what you’re new one should be.
Pecking Order
If you have more than one sibling, you can use their names. Or if you have more than one child use their names. This can also go for either one of your parent's side of the family by using their names as well as their brother's and sister's. Always be sure to use them in the order that they were born so you will know which one you used the last time you updated your password. Unless of course, you’d like to use the names according to who’s your favorite. Don’t worry, no one will know but you.
Deciding on what password to use for your next updated password doesn’t have to be panic-inducing or brain-racking. By using something that goes in order, preferably something that gives you a lot of options, you will eliminate going into a meltdown trying to either remember what your last password was to avoid trying to use it again or thinking of what your next new password pal will be. Work is stressful enough, why make one more thing complicated?
