Aa
I really hate passwords and security questions. GRRRR!
On Wednesday my computer died. I mean it would not boot up at all. This was despite have a backup of the OS on a second drive in the computer. So it has to have been a hardware failure even though it was acting more like a software problem. So Thursday I had to run out and buy a new computer so that I could get back on-line.
For several years I have been using a password program to handle keeping track of my passwords, but since it was on the computer that died I have been having to try and figure out my usernames and passwords for each site I go to.
But since all of the sites have different requirement for usernames/email addresses and even what they require for passwords I have been going crazy. Some sites will ask for a username but it is really your email they want. Other will be just the opposite in asking for email when they want username. My isp is one that does that one. And what they want for passwords is just as bad. Some are anything works, other must have capital letters in it, other want special characters, and some even want special character but not all of them.
Of course if you mess up the username/password enough, or sometimes even if they detect you are not on your normal computer they then ask you security questions. Those really get my head spinning quickly. They all seem to have their own set of questions to pick from, and some of those are real douses. One of the sites had as one of their security questions as on what street did you live when in the third grade. There really isn't many of the questions they let you select from that I can even use because they are like that. But some times the options for the questions just don't apply to me because I'll never remember how I answered them.
For one site I picked the name of my first pet. Seems simple enough, but I can never remember how to spell the dogs name. So did I use some fake name for the dog, or did I just spell it wrong. The second question they wanted me to answer also should have been easy for me to answer but NO. I had know idea of how I answered it. Actually one site I had to do security questions did things right. They let you put down both a question and answer. That way you can put down a question you will definitely be able to remember the answer for.
So for two days now I have been trying to get everything setup for being able to do things on-line as usual. My head hurts, eye burn, back aches and I'm still no way near done with the process. I guess I'll need to figure out a new way to handle passwords in case of a new computer failure.
Dennis
For several years I have been using a password program to handle keeping track of my passwords, but since it was on the computer that died I have been having to try and figure out my usernames and passwords for each site I go to.
But since all of the sites have different requirement for usernames/email addresses and even what they require for passwords I have been going crazy. Some sites will ask for a username but it is really your email they want. Other will be just the opposite in asking for email when they want username. My isp is one that does that one. And what they want for passwords is just as bad. Some are anything works, other must have capital letters in it, other want special characters, and some even want special character but not all of them.
Of course if you mess up the username/password enough, or sometimes even if they detect you are not on your normal computer they then ask you security questions. Those really get my head spinning quickly. They all seem to have their own set of questions to pick from, and some of those are real douses. One of the sites had as one of their security questions as on what street did you live when in the third grade. There really isn't many of the questions they let you select from that I can even use because they are like that. But some times the options for the questions just don't apply to me because I'll never remember how I answered them.
For one site I picked the name of my first pet. Seems simple enough, but I can never remember how to spell the dogs name. So did I use some fake name for the dog, or did I just spell it wrong. The second question they wanted me to answer also should have been easy for me to answer but NO. I had know idea of how I answered it. Actually one site I had to do security questions did things right. They let you put down both a question and answer. That way you can put down a question you will definitely be able to remember the answer for.
So for two days now I have been trying to get everything setup for being able to do things on-line as usual. My head hurts, eye burn, back aches and I'm still no way near done with the process. I guess I'll need to figure out a new way to handle passwords in case of a new computer failure.
Dennis
Ouch!!!
Makes me glad I don't use "i" devices.
To make things worse the new computer has windows 10 on it. So not only have I had to figure out all of the passwords again, but also figure out how to use Windows 10 since just about every program I use runs differently on Windows 10. But at least it wasn't windows 8. That I really hate.
Dennis
Makes me glad I don't use "i" devices.
To make things worse the new computer has windows 10 on it. So not only have I had to figure out all of the passwords again, but also figure out how to use Windows 10 since just about every program I use runs differently on Windows 10. But at least it wasn't windows 8. That I really hate.
Dennis
It is for all of those memory problems that I started using the Dashlane program for password control. It will automatically enter your password and username each time you go to a site. It will even generate a password that is unique for each site you go to. I had actually just gotten ready to print out all of my password/usernames just before the computer crashed. If it had happened just 15 minutes later I would have no problems.
There are a couple of sites I know of from experience that makes using dashlane even more critical. They require you to change your password every 60 or 90 days and they can not be one you had used before on the site. With that rule you quickly run out of things you can remember easily.
One security question that really got me was "What is your oldest sibling's middle name. It require a minimum of 4 characters. But my oldest sibling has only 3 letter in the middle name. So I used my brother middle name since it had more letters. But will I remember that if I get asked that security question? Probably not which is how I get in trouble with them.
As for the special characters if I remember correctly the * $ & and # were not allowed which are the 4 I use regularly. Each of those have special meanings when doing searches of text in programs which is why they don't allow them. I guess their programmers didn't want to write their own search routine in order to be able to have them in passwords.
Dennis
There are a couple of sites I know of from experience that makes using dashlane even more critical. They require you to change your password every 60 or 90 days and they can not be one you had used before on the site. With that rule you quickly run out of things you can remember easily.
One security question that really got me was "What is your oldest sibling's middle name. It require a minimum of 4 characters. But my oldest sibling has only 3 letter in the middle name. So I used my brother middle name since it had more letters. But will I remember that if I get asked that security question? Probably not which is how I get in trouble with them.
As for the special characters if I remember correctly the * $ & and # were not allowed which are the 4 I use regularly. Each of those have special meanings when doing searches of text in programs which is why they don't allow them. I guess their programmers didn't want to write their own search routine in order to be able to have them in passwords.
Dennis
Hi Dennis
Me too!
Advice I've gained from working in the IT world for 20 odd years, use a simple but memorable couple of words such as your mum/sister/brother etc middle name but use alternate alpha and numeric keys that look like alpha and always start with a capital. Makes for a strong password.
If you keep a list of all your places needing one, add 1,2,3,4 etc next to each one. So say your brother is called Richard, you might have R1c4a7d1 etc
You could pick any word you like that might help, Spring1 = Jan, Spring2 = Feb Spring 3 = Mar then Summer etc you'd just need to know the month to work it out.
If they want a special character * works well (you're a star to remember it!) or £/$ - always need more of it!
Security ones, like someone said above, first pet "Spot" or something you might remember etc, "Headscratch" - whatever might make you laugh or jog your memory "Memoryjog"
Hope this helps a bit.
Nx
Me too!
Advice I've gained from working in the IT world for 20 odd years, use a simple but memorable couple of words such as your mum/sister/brother etc middle name but use alternate alpha and numeric keys that look like alpha and always start with a capital. Makes for a strong password.
If you keep a list of all your places needing one, add 1,2,3,4 etc next to each one. So say your brother is called Richard, you might have R1c4a7d1 etc
You could pick any word you like that might help, Spring1 = Jan, Spring2 = Feb Spring 3 = Mar then Summer etc you'd just need to know the month to work it out.
If they want a special character * works well (you're a star to remember it!) or £/$ - always need more of it!
Security ones, like someone said above, first pet "Spot" or something you might remember etc, "Headscratch" - whatever might make you laugh or jog your memory "Memoryjog"
Hope this helps a bit.
Nx
I have a little Internet Address book (also gave one to all my friends and relatives for Christmas last year) in which you list important e-mail addresses, Web site URLs, the ID and PW you use for each one, answers to security questions, etc. (I used to remember most of them, but not so much since I was advised to strengthen all my passwords after some of the store and Web site hacks that took place during the last few years.)
I add the necessary info anytime I start using a site where you have to sign in. (Just have to be sure to hide the book if anyone you don't trust is in your house!!)
This is very helpful, esp. if you are traveling, have to use someone else's computer, etc. And it obviously would be a "lifesaver" in the event of a computer crash!
I add the necessary info anytime I start using a site where you have to sign in. (Just have to be sure to hide the book if anyone you don't trust is in your house!!)
This is very helpful, esp. if you are traveling, have to use someone else's computer, etc. And it obviously would be a "lifesaver" in the event of a computer crash!
I have been in the same boat. Luckily my husband prints all those out. Another thing is you can use the same answer for all your security questions if you program them that way. Such mother's maiden name fido, first car fido then you only have one thing to remember. I understand your grief especially with swiss cheese brain and easy frustration.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Q: what's your mother in laws year of birth?
A:Did I give the one she tells everyone or the one off her birth certificate?
Bank - I just need to ask you your security questions......What was your street address when you were 5?
Me - Um um I don't remember giving you that, um that was back in England
Bank - ah no, the answer is some where in Melbourne...
Me - but i wasn't living in Australia then
Bank - oh, i see your husband changed your security answers......What was your husbands street address when he was 5?
Me - Um um
Security and pass words are suppose to be for your convenience and online safety.......yeah i'm sure no one ever has trouble remembering the plethora the average joe's got now a days [sarcasm] lol
Hands up if you would be in a password pickle if your computer died on you, lol my hands definitely up!
Hugs.........JJ
A:Did I give the one she tells everyone or the one off her birth certificate?
Bank - I just need to ask you your security questions......What was your street address when you were 5?
Me - Um um I don't remember giving you that, um that was back in England
Bank - ah no, the answer is some where in Melbourne...
Me - but i wasn't living in Australia then
Bank - oh, i see your husband changed your security answers......What was your husbands street address when he was 5?
Me - Um um
Security and pass words are suppose to be for your convenience and online safety.......yeah i'm sure no one ever has trouble remembering the plethora the average joe's got now a days [sarcasm] lol
Hands up if you would be in a password pickle if your computer died on you, lol my hands definitely up!
Hugs.........JJ
1 Comments
On Friday all 3 of my "i" devices (Phone, Pad & Mac) had Epic Password Fails. It took 24 hours to restore a back up to my iMac so I could reser my Apple ID password so I could log into my phone and iPad. I feel your pain
That sounds like absolute hell! Hugs,
Barb
Barb
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