A method is provided for a user to generate a password for a software application accessible from a computer system which includes a universal password generator (UPG). The UPG includes a specified parameter for generating the password, and the software application requires the password includes a specified parameter. The UPG is initiated and the universal password is inputted into the UPG. The specified parameter required by the application, and the UPG specified parameter are inputted into the UPG. The universal password is processed such that the specified parameter of the UPG, and the specified parameter of the application are used to generate the password. The password is then transferred to the application requiring the password. The password may be saved and associated in the UPG with the program such that when the user re-enters the program, the UPG program retrieves the password for reuse in the program.