October 2005, Issue 183

The Silicon Wallet
CY8C27443-Based Data Manager

How do you manage your ever-increasing set of passwords, secret numbers, and personal ID codes? I have numerous passwords, secret numbers, and codes for things such as my credit and debit cards, my mobile phone, my burglar alarm, and my safe. To make matters worse, new passwords are generated every day. Apparently, most useful sites require you to register for a better, customized service. Not surprisingly, problems related to stolen identification, hacked databases, and the loss of confidential information are becoming more common.

I’m conscious of the importance of preventing identity theft, but it’s extremely hard to follow even the most basic rules like keeping password lists in a secure place, not using the same password twice, and not using obvious codes. Such rules are meant to protect against things like automated scripts programmatically attempting to log in with things like popular pet names and plausible birth dates. Nevertheless, managing an ever-increasing crowd of passwords exceeds the skills of normal people like me. No mere mortal can remember dozens of random alphanumeric sequences.

I searched long and hard for a secure, portable device in which I could hide my password list. I wanted a handy, user-friendly device because I was planning to use it often. I also wanted it to be small enough to use discreetly at an ATM when traveling in a foreign country. I don’t like the idea of using common data storage devices (e.g., laptops, USB storage, mobile phones, data bank calculators, and hand-held computers) because they seem ineffective for a variety of reasons (e.g., exposure to networks, the inability to encrypt data, and the inability to function alone). Realizing this, I designed the Silicon Wallet, which fits in a small plastic box and can store hundreds of passwords, logins, and secret codes (see Photo 1).