How to protect your passwords

THERESA

If you go on most sites, there is a link for "forgot my password" sometimes all you have to do is answer a few questions and it will log you right in and you or someone that knows you well enough are into your account.

To avoid someone that may know your "secret" answers from filling in the blanks and hacking into your account, don't give truthful answers. When it asks for your mother's maiden name, LIE for petes sake! Think about it, how many people either know your mother's maiden name or thanks to the internet could probably find it out easy enough?

If you chat with people on messenger, you may unknowingly be giving them the answers in normal conversation without even realizing you are doing it. Where was your first job, what street did you grow up on etc. I have a list of false answers for all of these questions and even picked a town that I would easily remember to give for my "current" zip code where I have never lived. (yahoo asks for your zip code)

If you have your accounts set up with the correct answers, take a few minutes to make up your own set of false answers that will be easy for you to remember. (you could use one of your favorite places to vacation for the zip code) Log into all of your accounts and change all of your answers today!!!

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~THERESA~Can I get a hero shake with that, or are you all out?

popowich

Good tip!

It's funny you mention it because I did a small article on email phishing scams this morning.

-Raymond

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THERESA

Sometimes they ask for a favorite teacher Sometimes you may unknowingly divulge information without even realizing it. Be careful. Now don't go trying to reset Kaos' passwords, I'm sure her favorite teacher isn't one of her questions but I found the timing perfect to make my point. Thanks Kaos and I'm not picking on you, I just want everyone aware and to be careful. Make up lies for your secret questions today!!!

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~THERESA~Can I get a hero shake with that, or are you all out?

Kaos

Very interesting point! I am always trying to think all the ways to stay safe online...but I never even thought about those stupid "hint" questions to get your passwords reset! Happily, mine aren't my teacher or anything people know about me

THERESA

Yeah, I was hoping I wasn't ratting you out by bringing attention to it.

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~THERESA~Can I get a hero shake with that, or are you all out?

Big Dan

I lie on all of them.. I use an old zip code for my mother's maiden name is coffee or pepsi. lol. I generally don't remember my answers nor alternate email address so if I forget a password I can no longer use the account.

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@BigD845 | Big Dan | DJ Talk

THERESA

Yeah, I have had that problem too before. Now I keep them the same.

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~THERESA~Can I get a hero shake with that, or are you all out?

Rebecky

I have a few passwords I use. I usually mix them up with a set of number sequences that only make sense to me. So, I have about 5-6 options that I alternate.

I always hated the mother's maiden name question, as that can so easily be figured out.

wawawebis

Yeah, and we lie about our date of birth too, and my husband just got an AARP invitation though he isn't really old enough! It bummed him out til he realized it because he lied about his age somewhere!! I bet online there are thousands more people born people born on New Year's than actually are!

wawawebis

Yup, I totally understand that! I am just not a good liar, even when I make it up.