By Keith Barfield, Founding Shareholder, CPA, CITP
Since I’ve always been interested in how new technology can help me, keeping up with all of the many online services and subsequent passwords has been a real challenge.
I was dreading looking for a password management program, because it felt like such a huge task. I have about 250 passwords that I have to keep up with. But fortunately for me, our great group of techs on staff at Barfield, Murphy, Shank and Smith, have always stayed on top of what’s out there and recommended excellent solutions to this too-many-passwords problem.
I wanted to share my current needs as well as my solution with you.
For me, the ultimate solution is one database that is available on my PC at work, my iPhone on the road, my iPad while working out of the office and at home when paying bills.
The solution that is working perfect for me now is amazingly a free open source password manager called KeePass.
For my iPhone and iPad, I use the KyPass app, which uses the same database as KeePass.
The database I created at work is shared online with a file sharing service as recommended by the KyPass app.
My normal routine is to add all new passwords immediately into my database at work. Anytime I need to access my passwords remotely, it only takes a second for the database to sync and pull up wherever I’m using my iPhone or iPad.
One of the most important things about this convenience is that it’s encouraged me to diversify my passwords so I’m not only using one or two passwords for everything. I think that definitely increases security.
And if you’re wondering how much trouble this was, I imported everything I had accumulated over the years from a spreadsheet in about 15 minutes. If you’re a start-up who’s just beginning to collect passwords, it will be even easier.
Hope this helps you with your password management.
Call technology accounting specialist and CITP, Keith Barfield of Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith at 205-982-5511 or email him at technology@bmss.com if you need accounting help for your technology business. He has experience helping Alabama technology companies and emerging industries, including software development, internet design and controls and online training with their exact accounting needs through our Technology Division.
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