StarSong
Awkward is my Superpower
- Location
- Los Angeles Suburbs
The latest large scale internet security breach gives me pause. This time it's Facebook and 50 million accounts, other times it's been credit bureaus and banks. Perhaps we can learn from one another here.
How have you responded to the threat of hacking? Do you change your passwords every few months? Where do you store them?
I use an online password manager that devises complicated passwords and stores them for me. I no longer change my passwords with any regularity because the likelihood of hackers guessing a nonsensical 20 letter password like JI)(UY8!r7o_7t860^* is no greater than them guessing Kj]#^*465)(9khT79^.
Yes, I have to remember a single VERY complicated 26 character password (AND perform a second authentication via my cell phone) to get into my password manager, but I devised it and therefore can recall it with no difficulty. Every time I close my browser completely, the pw manager closes, too. To get back in I repeat the process. I don't do any banking or purchasing via my cell phone and the password manager intentionally cannot be accessed from it.
My master password is written down nowhere and my daughter is the only other person who has it. (My husband is not good with memorizing pw.) If I forget that password, there is no way to get back into that account. Period. I'd have to redo all my passwords on every account. That level of security comforts me.
Also, DH and my credit reports are frozen. If I need a freeze lifted for any reason it's free (over 65 benefit) to do so for a specific inquiry or for 24 hours. I verify the balances on all my accounts weekly and get instant emails for activity in my checking account. I use second authentication for all sites that offer the option.
How you do to keep your information safe from potential prying eyes?
How have you responded to the threat of hacking? Do you change your passwords every few months? Where do you store them?
I use an online password manager that devises complicated passwords and stores them for me. I no longer change my passwords with any regularity because the likelihood of hackers guessing a nonsensical 20 letter password like JI)(UY8!r7o_7t860^* is no greater than them guessing Kj]#^*465)(9khT79^.
Yes, I have to remember a single VERY complicated 26 character password (AND perform a second authentication via my cell phone) to get into my password manager, but I devised it and therefore can recall it with no difficulty. Every time I close my browser completely, the pw manager closes, too. To get back in I repeat the process. I don't do any banking or purchasing via my cell phone and the password manager intentionally cannot be accessed from it.
My master password is written down nowhere and my daughter is the only other person who has it. (My husband is not good with memorizing pw.) If I forget that password, there is no way to get back into that account. Period. I'd have to redo all my passwords on every account. That level of security comforts me.
Also, DH and my credit reports are frozen. If I need a freeze lifted for any reason it's free (over 65 benefit) to do so for a specific inquiry or for 24 hours. I verify the balances on all my accounts weekly and get instant emails for activity in my checking account. I use second authentication for all sites that offer the option.
How you do to keep your information safe from potential prying eyes?
