Passwords.. how good is yours?

[tapu]

So I went through variations on the haystack site.... It seems like you really need something complicated to pump up that last number. A massive array attack, or whatever.

I had to think: who would ever care so much about my data that they'd go to such trouble? I mean, it's like identity theft. Whenever I hear that, I think, Oh, do me the favor! Steal my identity, please!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by tapu

So I went through variations on the haystack site.... It seems like you really need something complicated to pump up that last number. A massive array attack, or whatever.

I had to think: who would ever care so much about my data that they'd go to such trouble? I mean, it's like identity theft. Whenever I hear that, I think, Oh, do me the favor! Steal my identity, please!

This is obviously coming from someone whose identity has never been stolen. Who has never had accounts and credit cards opened up in their name without their knowledge nor had their credit rating shredded with little to nothing to be able to do to rectify it.

I know you were joking, but identity theft literally steals who you are on paper and you have little to NO control over it. Some organizations can or try to help, but once it's stolen once, it's easier for it to happen again and again. One person who took my information sold it to another and so on and so forth. Next thing you know, I've got thousands of dollars of stuff in my name in places I've never knew existed, much less visited or lived. My grandfather had over $10,000 charged to a single card less than ten minutes after the guy got his info.

It makes living your life.....buying a car because your's broke down....getting a loan with a reasonable interest rate....securing good insurance....difficult.

Sorry, but that wasn't funny to me. You asked who would care. Well, they DON'T care. That's the thing. You are just a set of numbers and some random information to them; not a live person who is trying to live your life. Unless, of course, the person who steals your identity is someone you know. It's much worse then, I think.

[tapu]

I'm sorry that wasn't funny to you. It can be hard to predict what someone won't find funny.

[Arwen]

Linus, before I enter my passwords there, how safe is that site? My passwords are rotated. I use pet names (long gone pets) with numbers inserted as one type I rotate.

Something I learned as a tech support person?

Scenario:

Arwen: I'm here to fix Stephanie's computer.
Random person: She's not here and we don't have her password.
Arwen: I'll look.
1. Inside of drawer
2. Under keyboard
3. Back of monitor

Yep. Found it. I'm in. all the way around the offices every time I did that.

[Linus]

The site in question doesn't take your user ID so it'd be hard for them to know where the password would apply. Additionally, Gibson is a long time and well known security site. It would hurt his reputation if he did something unethical (and he's known for protecting his rep at all costs).