‘Application Data’ passwords

If you’re running Windows XP or Vista have a look in
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data
***you may need to show hidden files/folders

This is a warning if you have applications store or remember your username and especially password.  These applications may very well be storing them in plain text and it would be easy for someone to steal your credentials.  Instant messenger applications, games, FTP clients, etc…

The pidgin IM client (formely gaim) has an interesting article about why they do not encrypt their passwords: http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/PlainTextPasswords

Google for im passwords: http://tinyurl.com/8fnc9t

It’s a bad idea to have any application remember your password!  If you don’t like to remember your passwords then try KeePass or the original Password Safe.