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  • Multiple passwords driving you mad?

    OpenIDThe more we are online to do everyday things like manage CRM, create email marketing campaigns, send invoices and even manage project work with customers and partners, the more usernames and passwords we need to create and then recall.

    There are many solutions to this problem, you can do a great job of creating and recording passwords – of course some are just assigned to you – or you use the same for all – but, that could cause some serious security issues too.

    One solution that is slowly gaining some steam is something called OpenID. An OpenID allows you to choose a URL that becomes your unique and universal login for sites that accept OpenID.

    From the OpenID site:

    OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.

    You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust. At the same time, your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to. And best of all, the OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free.

    There is no complete source of who accepts OpenID, but the list is growing and you need to look for the OpenID logo. Here are two sites OpenID Directory and MyOpenId that list sites that currently utilize OpenID for login. Google has taken a step towards getting behind this standard by allowing Blogger users OpenID login and Microsoft earlier this year announced a development partnership to support OpenID.

    First you have to pick your OpenID provider. Best to choose someone you already trust. I chose WordPress.com. Verisign, AOL and Technorati offer them. Here’s a list of places to get your OpenID.

    For now, I can login to Plaxo, my WordPress blog, Basecamp, AOL, Blogger, Blinksale and Technorati using my OpenID. This is reason enough to get behind this, but I also have about 5 accounts for a tool I use daily called Basecamp for project work with various strategic partners. Each has a different login URL, username and password. With OpenID I can tie them all together, use one URL (the one I created), one login and I’m logged into all 5 at the same time with dashboard access to all. Now that’s reason to get excited.

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    Posted by: John Jantsch on Dec 13, 07 | 7:07 am
    Category: OpenID | Tags:

    Comments
    • Terry Barker
      Yeah I know what you man about passwords! I have hundreds of the things. It takes me ages to access anything because I have to try all my passwords! OpenID sounds pretty good though!
    • Lars
      I'll tell you the best solution for managing passwords!

      This program changed my life.

      http://www.roboform.com

      It stores all your passwords and logins, and logs in automatically for you at any web site. They are kept encrypted, so that no one can get to those passwords unless they know the master password.

      They even make a USB key version of the software, so you can take your passwords with you when you use someone else's computer. (Encrypted, so if you lose the key, no big deal.)

      There is a similar program for the Mac that I have not yet tried yet, but I have heard it is almost as good as Roboform for Windows.

      Unlike this system, you don't have to depend on a third party to do something.

      I would never be able to go back to my old system of trying to remember logins and passwords for the hundreds of sites that I visit, the many blogs and web sites I manage, etc.
    • It sounds like a good idea but I'm interested to find out if they're are tracking cookies involved.
      Google is supporting it and with their involvement in DoubleClick I think there may be more to it this than just making our lives easier.
    • OpenID is great, especially once it becomes more wide spread.

      I use OpenID (I have several) and a password manager for storing non-OpenID logins as well as the various other codes, keys and numbers that get thrown my way on a daily basis.

      I founded PassPack online password manager, so I clearly have a bias, but there are plenty out there to choose from if you want to shop around. Most are free.

      PassPack will accept OpenID logins in the future, so that will make it easier to use both systems. It also has 1 Click Login that autofills passwords for you - saves a ton of time.

      Cheers,
      Tara Kelly
      PassPack Founding Partner

      http://www.passpack.com
    • Or...

      I have a folder full of text docs created in notepad. One file for each login that includes my user name, password, and registered email address.

      Open the file, copy and paste, enter. No security, typing errors, or memory issues.

      Storing that info on that net does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
    • Gary,
      What you are describing is very dangerous:

      1. Those files are not encrypted and can be read by anyone (people, programs and viruses)
      2. copy/paste can be read by keyloggers

      Password managers ARE encrypted and guarantee that only you can read your passwords.

      Even in the case of PassPack, we are not able to read the passwords stored on our servers because they are encrypted before being sent to us for storage.

      If you are not comfortable with an online password manger, that's ok - use an offline one.



      Your current system is NOT secure. You are putting yourself at risk of identity theft and financial loss.

      Sorry to be alarmist, but please be careful.

      Cheers,
      Tara
    • Steven
      I've heard about whose horrible user rights in Basecamp and that you are given 6 project IDs if you participate in 6 projects. I'm using Wrike for my projects now and I don't have any problems like that.
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