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Why is it that every time you have to make a password your mind goes blank? People tend to gravitate toward using the same... The Best Password Generators

Why is it that every time you have to make a password your mind goes blank? People tend to gravitate toward using the same passwords over and over again.  Often, they aren’t as secure as you might think.

Experts recommend using different passwords for each service you use on the internet.  However, many people use the same password over and over again, despite the security risk.  This could be because it may be simple to remember, or because of the difficulty involved in frequently coming up with new passwords, for each and every service.

The best password generators

You probably already know that a mixed case password with punctuation and numbers provide you with the best security.  However, many people don’t know that it’s no longer necessary to rack your brain for just the right combination. Password generator services are offered for free by many online companies.  Each is a little different, so it’s important to pick the one that will provide you with what you need.

PC Tools by Symantec allows you to customize your generated password by checking boxes with the specific information for your password needs.    They provide an optional combination of numbers, symbols, and upper and lower case letters.  If you are worried about security, you can use an SSL secured version of the generator.

Random.org offers a random password generator, which they claim doesn’t use “pseudo-random number algorithims” that are generally used by other computer programs.  You can use their program for free to generate up to 100 passwords.  They also provide the password to you securely using SSL.  Further, they state that your password is not stored on their server.

Norton offers an Identity Safe Password Generator.  They also offer storage of your passwords.  As another customizable password generator, they offer the option to have no similar characters in your password, which provides for an additional layer of security.

Whichever one you choose, it’s important to remember the limitations of password generator services.  Random.org recommends that you not use their service or any others for your most important accounts, such as your back account.  When used properly, password generators provide a much needed service as more and more passwords are required to access services and protect your information.

[Image via bu.edu]