Save passwords

Remembering passwords easily starts with creating them. There are tricks to create memorable passwords that are also strong. That means: not easy to crack by malicious parties.

At many websites where you have to log in (for example Facebook or SeniorWeb if you are a member) there is the option to stay logged in. For example, you check Keep me logged in or Stay logged in at. The website remembers the login details so that you do not have to enter them next time. This works via a cookie.

The advantage is that you log in once. The downside is that if others use the PC, they will immediately see your accounts when they access the respective website. So only do this on your own computer that you have locked with a password. After deleting cookies, for example while cleaning up the internet program, you have to enter your login details again.

Many browsers offer the possibility to remember passwords. The next time you visit the website on your computer using that browser, the passwords will already be entered for you. This is of course very easy, but it is safer to use a so-called password manager.

A password manager works like a vault. This digital safe contains passwords. You only have access with a ‘key’. This digital key is the only password you really need to remember. This single password gives access to all saved passwords in the vault. After logging into a site for the first time, the password manager automatically fills in the password. Turn off the manager after use, and to use it again, only your ‘key’ is needed to be logged in automatically on all sites.

A good Dutch-language password manager is LastPass. This program is on the Windows PC, Mac and mobile devices (tablets and smartphones for a fee) to use. Install the program and put an add-on in the browser. This is actually an additional button that allows you to access various features of LastPass while browsing the web.

When you log in to a website, the program asks if it should save the password. You don’t have to fill in the login details next time. Create a new password? LastPass can do this for you. No one can create a stronger password. The disadvantage of this is that you are really dependent on the program. Read here how to use the program.

Apple users can use Apple’s own password manager. That’s the keychain (keychain in English). It is intended for storing passwords on the iPad, iPhone and/or Mac. These can be stored locally, on the computer or in the cloud. Learn more in the iCloud Keychain article.