How to Track Websites You're Registered With

Tracking websites and managing user credentials are critical issues for regular surfers.

Bookmarking is a tracking method for websites and individual web pages. While browser-based bookmarking (such as "Favorites" in Internet Explorer) stores web URLs locally, there are various websites that offer this service online and even for free. The advantage of online bookmarking services is that the data can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as Internet access is available.

Registered-site bookmarking works best when there is a corresponding password manager to store user credentials for each registered site.

Things You'll Need

• Internet
• Registered websites

Instructions

Track Websites Locally Within Browsers

1. Open each registered website in a separate tab within your favorite browser. If the browser does not support tabs, open each website in a separate browser window.

2. Select "Favorites," "Bookmarks" or the star symbol to save each web address locally.

3. Select an appropriate folder, or create a fresh folder for registered websites only, for ease of access later on. New-folder creation is offered within the dialog box that appears after clicking "Favorites" or "Bookmarks."

Track Websites Online With Bookmarking Sites

1. Select a bookmarking website. There is a wide variety of sites available. Delicious and Stumble Upon are two very popular bookmarking sites.

2. Create an account with the selected bookmarking site. This process may require email verification.

3. Copy the URL of each registered website, and bookmark it at the bookmarking site. Some sites provide fields to enter short descriptions and tags for future reference. The bookmarks may be saved as "public" or "private."

Store and Manage Passwords

1. Click "Remember," "Save" or "Allow" when the web browser offers to save the user name and password. By default, common browsers prompt with such a message when a login or a registration form is submitted.

2. Use a premium password manager if saving password details within browsers seems insecure. Do thorough research and read plenty of reviews before purchasing any password-manager software.

3. Edit and update passwords as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Bookmark and organize websites at least once a month. If you allow the sites you register with to pile up, it may become a hassle to keep on top of them.

• Always keep the bookmarking site open in a separate tab while browsing the web, so bookmarking may be performed then and there.

• Bookmarking sites may also provide a browser toolbar for ease of access and use. Consider installing such a toolbar so that online bookmarking becomes as easy as browser-based bookmarking.

• Even the best password-manager software could have security loopholes, and storing passwords locally gives rise to even more severe concerns.

• Take precautionary actions in order to avoid malware and virus infections.

• Consider expert advice on password management, especially when stored passwords deal with highly sensitive data (such as banking).

References

• Search Engine Journal; 125 Social Bookmarking Sites; Loren Baker
• University of Maryland University College: Basic Computer Skills Tutorial
• Educause: 7 Things You Should Know About Social Bookmarking

Resources

• Carnegie Mellon University; Guidelines for Password Management; May 2008