Got Com?
July 20, 2007
When I turned 29 last week, it occurred to me that it has been five years since I last changed my online password. I know this because my original password contained "24," which was my age at the time. Cliché, I know. It's like I'm thirteen years old and discovering for the first time that including my zip code in my IM screen name may not be the brightest idea.
For the past week I've been in the process of changing the passwords on all my online accounts, and holy cow: do you know how many accounts I have? Like, kajillions.
I have passwords for seven different email addresses that I check on a regular basis, four different banks, and a plethora of websites that I've either started or contribute to or depend on for blogging. Plus there's that random assortment of online storage sites where I hold membership, work-related research sites, sites where I pay my monthly bills and more travel-related sites than I can remember (I have them all conveniently listed in one of my online storage sites, naturally).
I'm still finding and changing my password on previously forgotten sites, and I'm trying to figure out when I became so dependent on the Internet. I guess it's not so surprising after all, at least considering the ungodly amount of time I spend on the web (more time than I'm willing to admit here), though at least I'm savvy enough now not to use my age. That, and I don't want the reminder.
Comments
Yeah, I totally know the feeling. Lately I've logged into a couple of my regular sites and I've been prompted to by them to change my password because they are updating their security features and now you have to have like 3 different security questions and answers, a secret image, a password containing letters and numbers... waaaahh!!! I hate not being able to use my old password now. It's like you have to have a book of your passwords because who could remember 20 different passwords and which ones go to which site? Then, heaven help you that somebody with evil intent doesn't find your book of passwords! Sheesh. What a world we live in. It is really weird how much we depend on the Internet. Any time it goes down here at work, people sit around and twiddle their thumbs. Shameful! ;) Hehehe
Posted by: Chiada | July 20, 2007 01:04 PM
Not only do I have all of my personal sites (like all the ones you listed) I have a ton of work sites. Because I work from home, everything is accessed through secure ID and passwords. Which require changing every 30 days and can't even remotely resemble the previous password. It got so confusing that I had to make myself a spreadsheet. Which is also password protected. Help!!!
Posted by: Heather | July 20, 2007 01:23 PM
I TOTALLY understand. Really, I do.
Posted by: Amstaff Mom | July 20, 2007 06:36 PM
Happy 29th birthday to you, Jes! ^o^
Wow, you're a senior blogger =)
Posted by: PRETTY IN THE CITY | July 20, 2007 09:07 PM
I just educated my mother that all her passwords shouldn't be the same. That was an eye opener for her. Then I realized that my bank password and my blog password were the same.
Because I'm a hypocrit.
So, I changed it - not for safety reasons, but so I wouldn't be a hypocrit.
Posted by: OMSH | July 21, 2007 10:05 AM
I made the mistake of making my Yahoo name have my age in it because the name without a number was taken. Now I'm almost 2 years older and I feel weird being Mauigirl52 when I'm actually almost 54, LOL!
Posted by: Mauigirl | July 22, 2007 12:23 AM
Online storage sites? what kind of wonderful thing is that that I've never heard of or used!! Do tell friend!
Posted by: Mrs. M | July 23, 2007 08:09 AM
Yeah, my password doesn't get changed often enough unless they make me.
Posted by: Lia | July 23, 2007 09:55 AM
This may be completely random, but here goes: I actually heard a story on NPR the other day about passwords and how common it is that, if someone steals or figures out someone's password, they pretty much have access to that person's entire life. I have to confess that there was a time when I used the same password for everything. Bad memory, I guess. But the way they suggested you get around it is to use the same SYSTEM for all the passwords but different "plug-ins" depending on the site. For instance, if you're making a password for Amazon.com you might do AM for Amazon, WK (if you use it primarily for work) or PN (if it's for your personal use), plus an important number -- say, a memorable but not obvious date. So your password would be AMPN120281 (Amazon, personal, Britney Spears' birthday). The formula is transferable and rearrangeable.
Just a little random tippage for ya.
Posted by: Laura | July 23, 2007 08:07 PM
I never knew I was such a star-gazer either until I went to Bahamas and saw more celebrites (like a-listers) than ever! I was struck for sure! great story! I found you at MAMA DRAMA
Posted by: Rachel | July 27, 2007 04:52 PM