The Password is...

The topic of this blog is somewhat related to my New Year's resolution for 2006 -

Passwords (my resolution is to change all of my passwords)

How many passwords do you use? PINs, security codes, lock combinations, etc...

How many things need passwords nowadays? Computer applications obviously, websites, etc...

I tried to figure out how many passwords I had the other day - I couldn't figure it out! Keep in mind, I am NOT a write-it-down-and-hide-it kind of password person. I know many people who are like that. I am also NOT a use-one-password-and-slightly alter it kind of person either (spring01, spring02, spring03). I know alot of people do that too... I don't know anyone who just uses random numbers and letters for Passwords (d8s5gv45, 7g2s4c, H7j5G3n) but that would certainly be interesting...

No, I am a remember-them-all-if-I-really-need-them, every application has a different password kind of person. I also use many, many 'user names', not just Manny.

I used to be a smart-assed password person - words like - 'alakazam', 'opensesame', or 'password'. But then password applications got more security conscious... so I had to use passwords like 'alakazam1', 0pensesame (that's a zero, not an O), or wordpass.

I used to use rotating passwords at work - drone1, drone2, drone3 or hatework, quitwork, dumbwork, bullwork, vacation etc...

But the whole password phenomena is curiously slightly interesting to me: So I asked some people - "what is the stupidest thing you ever used as a password?"

But then something odd occurred; what happens when you ask someone to tell you their stupidest or weirdest passwords is very interesting... facial expressions change, body position and language alters, moods sway to and fro... there is something deep inside of people, emotional and personal that is linked to passwords...(maybe one day I will delve into this phenomenon a little further! Or maybe not)

However, after moderate prying - these are some of the answers:

Pet names or variation of kids names (very popular, but not stupid, just dull...)
"all zeros"
"I once used just a spacebar for the password"
"Is this for your blog?"
"I've used the same password all my life"
"generic01, generic02, etc.."
"1234qwer" (look at your keyboard)
"I can't remember any of the ones I don't use any more"

And there were many dumb but not funny or even barely noteworthy passwords.

Amazingly! There was only ONE person to give me any blatently offensive terms used for passwords... (excellent work, I might add)

So as you can see and probably knew, but wasn't very aware of or really gave a crap about... the world is full of dull and boring passwords... (about the same ratio of dull and boring people)

So now passwords are just like opinions & birthdays - everyone's got one! (a$$holes and belly buttons can be surgically/accidentally removed ya know, not EVERYONE has one)