How do I configure Keychain Password Generator to NOT use "-" (Dash), a disallowed symbol?

Question

How do I configure Keychain Password Generator to NOT use "-" (Dash), a disallowed symbol?

Keychain Password Generator uses "-" (Dash) between each set of 4 numbers/letters when generating passwords. "-" (Dash) is a disallowed symbol in most programs/apps, so the passwords generated are rejected. How can the Keychain Password Generator be configured to NOT use "-" (Dash) and other disallowed symbols? The Generator is totally useless as is.

IMAC (RETINA 5K, 27-INCH, LATE 2015), macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Jun 12, 2017 9:30 AM

Reply

Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

156,506 points

Jun 12, 2017 10:09 AM in response to William G Rose Jr

(Dash) is a disallowed symbol in most programs/apps, ...

The Generator is totally useless as is.

That simply isn't true. You can make your displeasure known to Apple, but unsubstantiated assertions like that are only likely to discredit your claims. Keychain's Password Generator can generate passwords that conform to a number of chosen criteria. Choose a random one that does not contain disallowed characters, such as in the following:

In fact I don't know of a single program/app that does not accept a dash character for its password, but I only use about 430 different Keychain-generated passwords so anything is possible.

Please refer to Keychain Access's Help.

Reply

Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

156,506 points

Jun 12, 2017 10:45 AM in response to William G Rose Jr

From your post title I had assumed you were referring to Keychain Access's password generator. Instructions are found in the Help document I provided. Other than the overall choices it provides, there is no way to specifically disallow the dash character.

There is an even easier way to generate passwords using Terminal. Use openssl rand along with its many configurable options.

I specifically stated that I only have about 430 different passwords for the different services that require them. That is far from an exhaustive list.

I have probably been using Macs and their OS for longer than you have been alive.

That is logically impossible. I don't qualify for Medicare though, and have no use for its website.

Reply

Answer 3

tygb

Level 9

65,016 points

Jun 12, 2017 10:56 AM in response to William G Rose Jr

Read this article : macOS Sierra: Tips for creating secure passwords

: Keychain Access: login keychain

: macOS Sierra: Understand passwords

You can see the password assistant tool , go to users and groups and enter the admin name and password , click on change password , again click on key .

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 12, 2017 10:32 AM in response to John Galt

Thanks John Galt. Sorry you took offense to my problem. Problem #1 with your answer: Where is the "Password Assistant" menu you pictured? That would certainly have solved my problem, if I had the menu. Haven't seen it in Sierra. With that menu, I woulde not have had to bother you, and you would not be irritated at my incredible stupidity. Problem #2 with your answer: Assuming that you know everything about every app in existence, by insisting that you know of no program that disallows dashes. Had I NOT run into an app that disallows dashes, I would have not asked the question. In fact, I run into the disallowed dash problem often. Sorry my apps are not approved by you, but they are there. Most Gov't apps do not accept dashes, such as Medicare. Want to try again, John Galt? Maybe you can propose a solution that is constructive, and does not involve condescension. I have probably been using Macs and their OS for longer than you have been alive.

Reply

Answer 5

Jun 12, 2017 10:54 AM in response to John Galt

Thank you John Galt. Your tips were helpful. Someone else posted how to find the Password Assistant also. Could the OS programmers bury that puppy any deeper? How is it logically impossible that I could have been using Macs for longer than you have been alive? Many people using Macs today were born after the Apple II-C had come and gone. Logically, it is possible that you could be one of them.

Reply

Answer 6

John Galt

Level 10

156,506 points

Jun 12, 2017 11:04 AM in response to William G Rose Jr

Could the OS programmers bury that puppy any deeper?

I doubt it. It's been there since the Keychain first appeared, and that was long before OS X.

Many people using Macs today were born after the Apple II-C had come and gone.

I think they're the ones designing macOS today.

Reply