Homeland Security is killing me.
It’s a shame that we have to worry about security. Why can't people just get along? When I was in the Navy it was a big deal even when it wasn’t in the civilian world. I still practice some of the things I learned in the Navy. For instance, when I stop at a traffic light, I like to leave a little room between my car and the one in front of me. That will allow me to escape in the event that someone goes postal at the traffic light.
Some other good ideas are to alter the routes that you take on a daily basis and vary the lights that you leave on in your home when you are gone at night. I may be a little paranoid but I always look around when I am in a crowd to see who is around me. I also make a mental note where all the exits are when I am in a public building. Those are good things to do with the state of the world today. But the part that is killing me is the technology security.
I don’t think I am alone in this either. I have so many logon names and passwords that I can’t keep them straight. At work alone I have 5. I also have 5 email logon ID’s to remember. Add a few more for banking and a few more for odds and ends and I think that takes me up to around 20. So I have approximately 20 names and passwords to remember. It would be easy if I could use the same name and password for everything (not recommended) but each program has its own set of name and password requirements so they are all different. And to top it off, the ones at work have to be changed periodically.
So with my lack of memory, where does that take me? That takes me to the password recovery screen more times than I care to admit. In fact I am in that boat at the moment. And the bad part is I have to wait until Monday and talk with a representative because I thought I could figure it out and I tried too many time. Yes I locked an account. It happens. And what is their solution to this problem? “The secret question.”
Now hear me out on this one. If I can’t remember a simple name and password, how in the world am I going to be able to remember my mother’s first pet’s favorite color? I mean these questions are so far fetched that no one in their right mind would remember them. I tried using the “What was your first car?” question but I can’t remember how in entered it so that doesn’t work. I know it was a voltswagen but as you can see I don’t know how to spell it so I probably put in VW. But did I capitalize it? Maybe just the first letter? No that didn’t work. How about all lower case? No again. Let me just try to spell it. V o l t, no that isn’t it. What do you mean too many tries? OK I will call and talk with a person on Monday. Grrrrrrr
So I am taking suggestions on how to remember these passwords. Someone out there must have a solution. Until then I will keep calling customer service.
Have a Blessed Sunday and remember your password to Heaven:
"JESUS"
See you on Monday,
Greg
Some other good ideas are to alter the routes that you take on a daily basis and vary the lights that you leave on in your home when you are gone at night. I may be a little paranoid but I always look around when I am in a crowd to see who is around me. I also make a mental note where all the exits are when I am in a public building. Those are good things to do with the state of the world today. But the part that is killing me is the technology security.
I don’t think I am alone in this either. I have so many logon names and passwords that I can’t keep them straight. At work alone I have 5. I also have 5 email logon ID’s to remember. Add a few more for banking and a few more for odds and ends and I think that takes me up to around 20. So I have approximately 20 names and passwords to remember. It would be easy if I could use the same name and password for everything (not recommended) but each program has its own set of name and password requirements so they are all different. And to top it off, the ones at work have to be changed periodically.
So with my lack of memory, where does that take me? That takes me to the password recovery screen more times than I care to admit. In fact I am in that boat at the moment. And the bad part is I have to wait until Monday and talk with a representative because I thought I could figure it out and I tried too many time. Yes I locked an account. It happens. And what is their solution to this problem? “The secret question.”
Now hear me out on this one. If I can’t remember a simple name and password, how in the world am I going to be able to remember my mother’s first pet’s favorite color? I mean these questions are so far fetched that no one in their right mind would remember them. I tried using the “What was your first car?” question but I can’t remember how in entered it so that doesn’t work. I know it was a voltswagen but as you can see I don’t know how to spell it so I probably put in VW. But did I capitalize it? Maybe just the first letter? No that didn’t work. How about all lower case? No again. Let me just try to spell it. V o l t, no that isn’t it. What do you mean too many tries? OK I will call and talk with a person on Monday. Grrrrrrr
So I am taking suggestions on how to remember these passwords. Someone out there must have a solution. Until then I will keep calling customer service.
Have a Blessed Sunday and remember your password to Heaven:
"JESUS"
See you on Monday,
Greg
Comments
I have a notebook, and on the last page I write all my logins & passwords. It's simple, but it works.
Even though it hurts too much today to laugh, it was well worth it. I have been on the password recovery screen to many times in the past.
I too, have a book with all my logins and passwords contained in them. I know not something recommended, but what are people going to do, pay all my bills for me if they find them?
I agree with you, that there has to be a better way, and I too, hate those security questions. I can never remember those although I guess you could write those down instead of your log in or password.
I love your closing remark, it is definitely one I will remember!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
what a pain...
It is readily accesable on my computer and I can access it when ever I nedd to search for a password.
Some of the newer anti virus software also have password saving functions. My latest version of Norton has that function. I just have to log on and it remembers all my passwords and enters them automaically when ever I go to the specific sites where I need them.
Blessings
Robin
You are a terrific writer too.
Speaking of problems, Robin at Be Still and Know is having a dandy of a cucumber problem over at her blog today. I told her you would know what to do. She has commented on this post above. Maybe you can go over there and help her out. I'm curious about what it is, too.
Heidi
I am feeling your pain with the passwords! At work we have to change them every 3 months and they can't be the same as the last 4 passwords. I want all mine the same and it is so frustrating. I literally have a printout of all my passwords for all my different accounts and update it every time I change it!
You realize of course that all you have to do now is track each one of us down who has just told you where we keep our passwords and BINGO you have access!:)
I don't use the same password for everything because as you said, it's not recommended. But I do follow a pattern so that every password is different, but I can always remember it or figure out what it is.
Example: Your initials, followed by the day of your birth, followed by the first 3 letters of the thing you need the password for. So your password for Greg's General Store would be gc27gre.
Mine are all typed up and kept under lock and key :)
I have a suggestion. You can write them down somewhere, but ONLY if you can remember where you put the list!
:-)
Come back soon...
I'm glad the most important password is Jesus. Case doesn't apply, no numbers or characters necessary!