PINs/usernames, passwords - reusing and remembering

The average person simply has too many PINs/usernames and passwords to remember today!

It'’s OK to reuse a name and password multiple times for low security sites, such as bulletin boards, newspaper sites, etc. Yes, I know some people say never to do this, but they are both wrong and not practical.

When security is critical, like on banking and brokerage sites, use unique PINS/usernames and passwords. Passwords really need to be words NOT in the dictionary, and preferably long and random.

Most people can't remember long random passwords - it's OK to WRITE THEM DOWN. Store them in your wallet or purse and treat them like cash. Do not write down detailed directions like "to access account soandso, go to www.bank.com and use the PIN myname and password longrandompassword."” Just write down as little as possible - something you'll easily understand that most others won't, and keep it secure. NO STICKIES with details on the monitor please!!

What does: "3xran-1hair"” mean?
Answer: nothing to you, but it to me it describes a complex password very well.

There are some interesting schemes for remembering (and generating) passwords. One person, a car buff, uses his last three license plates concatenated together. I don’t even remember my current license plate, but it works for him.

Using the first letter (or second or third) of each word in a well known phase can work well. "“Iwraranaped"” (from the song "I want to rock and rock all night and party every day"), is easy to remember, and could be improved by adding a non alphanumeric or more. How about: "“IwRaRanaped!!!" ?

You simply cannot have unique user/PIN/passwords for everything and remember them: It's impossible!! Forget unique, even the remembering part is tough.