Passwords - how to manage.

When I work with clients who are beginners or not confident with computers, the first barrier we need to overcome often seems to be passwords. Often an account has been set up for them on the computer and they have promptly forgotten the password, or relied on the automatic password retrieval on one computer and it doesn't work on another because it doesn't recognise the user. So here is my step by step advice for using Google on your computer or laptop to save your passwords. (iphone and android tips also at the bottom)

1. Get a Gmail account and choose a strong password (4 random words works best).

2. Remember that one password to your gmail account.

3. Use Chrome as a browser on your computer, and sign in to the browser

4. Enable Chrome to remember your passwords for all the different sites that you sign into - these instructions are good.

5. When you are using a different computer, always sign in to the Chrome browser first, using your Gmail account password - the only one you have to remember.

The next step is to enable 2 step verification on your Gmail account to add another layer to the security. Note: the only time I don't use 2-step verification is when I am travelling and use a different SIM card so my phone number is different, but otherwise I recommend it to everyone. When you travel overseas and get a different phone number, you could disable the 2-step verification temporarily, like I do.

On your phone, passwords are also easy to recall.  To save your passwords here is some further advice.

On iphones
Turn on your iPhone and open the Settings app
Scroll to Passwords and Accounts
Click on Autofill passwords
Slide the Names and Passwords slider to On to start saving passwords and usernames.

On Android phones:
On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's settings app Google Google Account.
At the top, scroll right and tap Security.
Scroll down to "Signing in to other sites" and tap Saved Passwords.
Turn 'Offer to save passwords' on or off.