password

Password storage service Passpack has a new feature that lets you share your account log-ins with others. It's meant as a way to securely share things like usernames and passwords outside of e-mail or IM conversations, and requires that both parties be registered Passpack users.

Inviting someone to get access to a certain log-in is fairly simple, although you have to be Passpack friends with them first. Then it's simply a matter of checking off which log-in or log-ins you want to share. This is handled in two places, both on your friends page and on each site'… Read more

SafeWallet is a new password-management app for iPhone and iPod Touch. It stores important information like credit cards, Social Security numbers, online passwords, the PIN for your ATM, software registration codes, and so on. Price: $5.99.

Like other apps of its kind (and there are many), SafeWallet offers templates to simplify the creation of new records and encryption to protect your data from prying eyes. It's a simple, effective tool that's undeniably handy to have around.

But not handy enough. See, like other apps of its kind (and there are many), SafeWallet doesn't sync with your … Read more

The list of PC security products never ends. For every name that drops off, two more jump on. In fact, determining the best security hardware and software is a full-time job. Sometimes, you just want to throw up your hands and take your chances.

Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist, but I think you can stay safe without spending all your spare time doing research, installing updates, and generally becoming a PC-security expert. Here are five relatively easy ways to improve your security.

Use the firewall that's closest at hand In the computer industry, the reputation of a … Read more

Internet security is a priority for many users no matter how secretive their surfing. Hackers, with advanced password decoding software, are a major concern for many. Password Generator offers an opportunity to stay a step ahead of these predators, but we found a navigation flaw that was frustrating.

The program opens with a simple-to-navigate wizard that takes users through the steps of building a secure password. Users begin by entering standard password parameters, such as number of characters in the word, use of vowels, consonants, special characters and numbers. As these boxes are selected an example at the bottom changes … Read more

Secret Explorer wants to help you be more secure and find the information stored in Internet Explorer such as auto-complete data. However, this program sinks upon first opening, possibly encouraging users to look elsewhere for help.

This trial version, which only allows you to use the first two letters of a password, directly tells users in its Help menu that those used to Internet Explorer will find Secret Explorer familiar. We have been using Internet Explorer for years and discovered no similarities from the start. Secret Explorer opens up with a small Help screen that's so full of jargon … Read more

FireID was set to announce at RSA 2009 on Monday technology that allows people to access multiple Web sites on their mobile phone without having to remember all the passwords.

The FireID universal personal authenticator app turns any phone that runs Java into a one-time password generator and generates the password directly on the phone instantly so there is no risk of it being intercepted and no waiting for an SMS like with other password-generator systems, said Jenny Dugmore, chief executive of FireID.

The system also works with multiple applications and creates a unique encrypted password for each session. It … Read more

Passwords Max is a password manager that lets you store, e-mail, and create passwords. But its unattractive and confusing user interface made it a pain to operate.

Blurry, hard-to-see command icons lined the top of the window. On the left side were three expandable menu options: Manage Passwords, Interaction, and List Options. Even the subcategories for each option were vague. Not sure where to go first, we clicked on the wizard feature. Usually, wizards are supposed to automate the process and make it easier, but we were left confused by this wizard's unintuitive instructions. And once we got through … Read more

Facebook has changed the way its password reset tool works so that it does not easily verify e-mail addresses to potential spammers, after CNET News contacted it with concerns from an Israeli security expert.

On a separate matter, the company also has asked the maker of the Photo Stalker Facebook app to make it clear that despite the name, the app conforms to Facebook's privacy guidelines.

First off, Facebook is making it harder for spammers to mine the site for valid e-mail addresses.

"Last night, we took steps to make sure that our password reset tool is not … Read more

VANCOUVER, B.C.--Presenters at the CanSecWest security conference detailed on Thursday how they can sniff data by analyzing keystroke vibrations using a laser trained on a shiny laptop or through electrical signals coming from a PC connected to a PS/2 keyboard and plugged into a socket.

Using equipment costing about $80, researchers from Inverse Path were able to point a laser on the reflective surface of a laptop between 50 feet and 100 feet away and determine what letters were typed.

Chief Security Engineer Andrea Barisani and hardware hacker Daniele Bianco used a handmade laser microphone device and … Read more