Kyle Brandt

Why Bother?
If you have been on the internet for any substantial period of time, you might have more accounts than you realize. I think it is worth while to find out what they all are, and keep track of them. One of the main reasons is security, the less your personal information is duplicated out on the internet the better. The risk is pretty low, but if it isn’t a site you use, why not get rid of it? I would not recommend writing down passwords as you list your accounts, but it can help with setting up a routine for changing passwords and setting up multiple levels of security. Another good reason is that it is simply good manners to clean up after yourself.

Find those accounts:
A good place to start, if you use Firefox and store passwords, is too look at all your stored passwords. In version 2, go to your preferences, click on “security”, then lastly, “show passwords”. There should be a list of the accounts that you have saved passwords for with your current Firefox profile. Before you leave, you really should set a master password. Notice how when you are looking at those accounts, all you have to do it click “Show Passwords”? Well, if anyone has physical access to your computer for only a short while, they can get your passwords, and go order themselves a new HDTV from your Amazon account (Although they probably would get caught).

Next you might try brainstorming, here is a trigger list to get you started: Banking, Credit Cards, Ebay, E-mail accounts, Forums, Government Sites, Household Utilities, Instant Messenger, Job Search Sites, News Letters, Online Shopping, Paypal, Phone (other communication utilities?) Photo Sites (Flicker), School/Work, Second Life, Social Networking, Start Pages, and Things you just wanted to try?

Have your list?
First figure out what sites you don’t want and delete them. You also might want to check out your contact information and make sure it is current. Lastly, for anyone who is curious, I have come up with over 50 accounts myself.