Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#175405 10/06/12 07:46 AM
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
JBlatz Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
Just in case you are unaware of the dangers of storing your password data in your computers web browser,
here is a step by step procedure to view the password beneath the asterisks.

Perhaps in this situation, "asterisks" would better written as "asteRISKS". ☺

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-5752...r-web-browser/


JBlatz
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,510
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,510
Good info. Here is a website that tells you how secure your passowrd is and how long it would take a hacker to crack it...very interesting!


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032
Thought you might find this interesting: I have several password protected pdf files on my network which we long ago purchased and no one recalls the open password. So, I have had three machines running for two days to breck the code via brute force. Already eliminated password lengths of 1 – 6 for all combinations of A..Z, a..z, 0..9. Can run passwords at ~40,000 p/s (across one i7 and two old P4s) but when I hit length of 7, it will take ~ 6 months.


Now here is what is really scary, On another file, useing the dictionary option instead of “brute-force”, it found my personnal seven digit password in 5 secs. So I am now on a mission to revise my personal password to some crazy ass combination of upper lower characters and numbers...

Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,510
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,510
Ouch...scary...I need to keep you away from my machine!


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Password security is a total pia but it must be done. The best way I've read about is the use of a password manager program. That program is on your computer or mobile device like a thumb drive or smart phone so how do you secure it? By encrypting it with a very robust password. You only need to remember that one complex password. Once in the program, then all your passwords stored there are already linked to your various items that need it so you don't have to remember all the different ones. There's a couple of ways to store that password for easy access like sticking it on the back of one of your credit cards or put it on a thumb drive that you keep on your keychain so all you do is plug it in and copy/paste it into the manager. Here's a good article about all this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Password_manager

Some forums I visit will send me an email saying I need to change my p/word as part of their routine security. When I started getting too many junk emails and I called my ISP I was told to change the p/word and that removed a lot of the problem. A friend uses AOL and same thing, change her p/word got rid of most of the junk. Using an encrypted password manager makes it easy to change p/words to the most bad*** military grade p/words you can imagine because you don't care what it is, the manager automatically enters it in the appropriate login fields of the different websites.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Off-Topic
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
Quote:

Now here is what is really scary, On another file, using the dictionary option instead of “brute-force”, it found my personal seven digit password in 5 secs. So I am now on a mission to revise my personal password to some crazy ass combination of upper lower characters and numbers...




NEVER use a dictionary word. Use a special charater, a number replacing a letter (5 instead of S, etc), spell something backwards (don't use "dad" or "mom" ), deliberately misspell a word, use a foreign word (elmusico) but never use something in a dictionary. Don't use the same password on everything, and change them at regular intervals.

I deal with this stuff literally all day long. Half my calls are for password resets.

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
JBlatz Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
Here is another site to check your password strength.

https://www.grc.com/haystack.htm

If you are unaware of Gibson Research Corporation (GRC), check out some of his other tools.

By the way, you can avoid using password managers by using your imagination and hiding your passwords in plain sight.

For example, you can keep SongSetList.txt file on your desktop filled with what seems like a set of song to be performed, Those song titles can also double as pretty good passwords.

Another creative possibility is to locate your passwords in an mgu or sgu file of Biab.

Still another possibility is to store your passwords in an address file on your desktop. Phone numbers with names make great passwords. Use the phone number and name of an old flame. Try it out. Test "214-670-7253 Mary Jordan" by copying and pasting in the Haystack link above. By the way, don't try to call Mary because the number belongs to the Dallas Police Department. She burned me on that one... That was when I realized it was over. ☺


JBlatz
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Yeah, that's a good hint from Mary. For me, I spent 4 years in military intel specializing in crypto. I use various things tied to nonsense keywords that sound and look like they could be real words but are not. Abbreviated foreign names or locations are useful. Similar to what we used in the Air Force as in you occasionally hear a news report about some document that was originally protected by a "Top Secret codeword" classification. The Top Secret isn't enough, the codeword adds more compartmentalization to it. My important p/words are 16-20 alpha numeric characters with some caps thrown in. So far I test myself by doing it from memory but it's tricky sometimes.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
There was a time when people would ask, for whatever reason, "what's your password?" Of course, I never give my password away. I would respond with, "that's not for you to know!". At the time, my password was actually [N0t4U2N0]. I would have had some special characters in it, but the system we were using only accepted alpha-numeric passwords.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
JBlatz Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 222
The idea is to avoid using proprietary password managers and still keep you passwords safe.

You can leave address books, phone number lists, song sets, recipes, to do lists, or whatever other list you can imagine setting near your computer and no one would suspect that they were anything more than what they appeared to be. If you really want to jack with someone's mind, also leave a password list full of complicated but meaningless passwords near the same computer. The nice thing about saving the sensitive information as a text file or an HTML file on the computer is the ability to copy and paste the information into the browser's form.

Which one of these looks the like password to my Gmail account?

PaSaWoRd..2..My GmAiL AcCt
God Rest Merry Gentlemen Key Ab
214-670-7253 Mary Jordan


JBlatz
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!

Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,441
Posts805,142
Members40,121
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Jerry Gerber, Fjane, vieumotar, dpckeys, Bloc
40,121 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
DC Ron 96
rsdean 92
WaoBand 67
Today's Birthdays
Jan van der Linde
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5