anjewoodruffe member for 33 weeks 14 hours Send a message

Life as a Login.

It used to be that when I wanted something, I could simply browse a site and decide if I wanted something, but now an idle browse costs me a username and passcode, even for the most elementary things. I’m not sure what I think of it; I don’t like nor dislike it but I will admit to finding it exhausting. While I do appreciate all the merits of internet security and the need to keep hackers away from personal information, the Login/Passcode situation is monumental. To add insult to injury, the rapid appeal of internet blogging sites (like this one) and other networking sites (Myspace, twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Hi5) are making the need for the Login/Passcode necessary. At one point I tried using the Firefox memory to remember what they were, except when I wasn’t on my home computer I couldn’t remember what I had used. Some what alpha, some require alphanumeric and some don’t care what you use as long as it’s not being used already. While you say – well Anje, just use the same name and passcode that way you’ll remember. Theoretically, yes. However, if your account gets hacked into even once, you are forced to change your passcode so while the name remains the same, the passcode changes. Autofill has its benefits but I simply do not know if I like the idea of anyone typing in my first initial and being able to access my sites/site information. There are alternate ways – for example the password protector software, Intelliglogin, Password Manager Deluxe, Portable Password Tracker or another creation from Microsoft called “Fingerprint Reader”. Although it comes with a disclaimer that says “The Fingerprint Reader should not be used for protecting sensitive data such as financial information, or for accessing corporate networks. We continue to recommend that you use a strong password for these types of activities”. Wow…so the security really isn’t secure?

So what do we do?

Are we just simply forced to roll with it and do it because it is required or at some point do we simply say, “I’m tired of this” and back out, choosing not to login and protect but instead choosing to be a voyeur and not a participant. I think that sites should keep the username/login/passcode situation in the mode of the K.I.S.S (Keep it Simple Stupid) Business formula.

That being said, I wish google will hurry up and come up with the software that will be able to prevent drunk communicators (ie drunk texting, drunk emailing, drunk dialing, drunk billpaying) like myself from being able to access their emails inclusive of login and passcode information, in order to leave otherwise prolific messages after one too many sorrel martini’s.