Password paralysis.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT

Almost every website invites, and sometimes requires, visitors to register with a user ID and password. However, this has resulted in computer users being overwhelmed with multiple passwords--many of which they quickly forget. In fact, Citrix research found that one-third of computer users are victims of such "access amnesia."

The result is that users are locked out of applications, which can affect their ability to work effectively and cost millions in unused software licenses, according to the access infrastructure company. Users may also have to re-register with sites to change their passwords, wasting valuable work time.

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Citrix's research revealed that 50 percent of computer users have between four and seven passwords to remember on a daily basis, and 17 percent have between eight and 10.

Company officials say passwords...