Here’s a tool that I myself have found incredibly valuable.  KeePass Password Safe is a very user-friendly UI to store your passwords LOCALLY.  That means that instead of shuffling around papers that always get lost in an office, KeePass stores your passwords on your hard disk (read: great, but back it up, for the love of all that’s holy!).  It is all encrypted in the local database, using AES and TwoFish encryption methods, which are both industry recognized as very sound security features.  What’s more is that when you put all of your information into the entry fields, group, title, username, password, all notes, etc; then EVERYTHING is encrypted, not just the passwords.  And it is safeguarded by a master password.

Where do all of these passwords go?  Let me reassure you, it is Open Source, so not only is it free, but someone would have caught on by now if the source code pointed to a remote database where someone else can take advantage of your passwords.

Finally, if you’re worried about whether a keylogger is hiding on your computer, fret no more.   You don’t have to press any keys to copy/paste usernames and passwords into a form.

This is a great piece of software that I’ve found to be an incredible boon to me while I work online.  It will keep you more organized, keep your information safer, and it can greatly increase your productivity.

So, Go Get Em.