Life on the Cutting Edge

[DonM435]

Just use 12345, then 23456, etc. It doesn't seem like anything bad will happen if someone hacks into your empty voicemail.

I found the original cheat-sheet describing the system.

"The password range is 6 to 16 digits. The system will not allow you to use a password that it considers too easy to guess (examples: 123456, 222222 or your extension number."

I'll try 314159 next time and see if it knows that's too easy.

[HenrikOlsen]

or use 142857 and just rotate for renewal

[Heid the Ba']

If I need a password eight characters long I use Snow White and the Seven Dwarves . . .

I'll get me coat.

[DonM435]

If I need a password eight characters long I use Snow White and the Seven Dwarves . . .

I'll get me coat.

I'd never remember those guys' names.

[DonM435]

Having stumbled on this old discussion, I was inspired to do something "pro-active" (boy, do I hate that phrase). I went and changed my phone password. If I were to wait three months, it would expire and I don't know whom to call to reset it: there are conflicting instructions out there.

The text file that I keep on my computer desktop says that it was about 1-1/2 months old, and also reminds me what it is, because I don't regard it as an important secret, nor do I care to waste any long term memory brain cells on it. So, I incremented all of the numbers and added the new one to the file. Also taped it to the bottom of the phone.

Now I'll have to mark my calendar to remind me to reset it within another couple of months. (Someone said that I should log into there weekly, even if I have no messages pending, but the heck with that suggestion!)

[Solfe]

I had a friend who made up phone and computer password using a Registry List of Star Trek ships. This was a little unusual, because he kept the list in his drawer. It was a "homebrew" list with not only official sources but also names found in games, websites and books. It was unique in both planning and execution.

I think he had a system of selecting ships so that even if he forgot, he would have clues as to which one it was. I have no idea how that worked.

[swampyankee]

You'd think that the password algorithm could be smart enough to detect a password that is 99% correct, except that this guy hit the "q" key whilst reaching for thre "w" just beside it, or he/she struck thr "8" a little bit while going for the neighboring "9". (It really can know the x and y coordinates of various keys, you know), but no-o-o: you get treated as if you'd shut your eyes and mashed on random keys.

If you're gonna double the number of minimum keystrokes, why can't you build in a tolerance, as all other engineering applications do? If I can hit 16 specified keys, with just one that was a bit right, left, high or low, how does that turn me into a foreign spy?

I'd be really upset if somebody did that to my banking password. I want the computer's security system to just say "nope, you're wrong" than saying "well, that's not quite right, but it's close enough," or "well, you've got everything except one character...."

[NEOWatcher]

I'd be really upset if somebody did that to my banking password.

Same here. No clues should be given in any security system. (Well; with the exception that I'd like to know my caps lock is on before even attempting a password)

I want the computer's security system to just say "nope, you're wrong" than saying "well, that's not quite right, but it's close enough," or "well, you've got everything except one character...."

You're getting warmer... colder... warmer... even warmer... now you're getting hot.

Although; you could mess at the hackers mind and pick those phrases at random.

[DonM435]

Same here. No clues should be given in any security system. (Well; with the exception that I'd like to know my caps lock is on before even attempting a password)

You're getting warmer... colder... warmer... even warmer... now you're getting hot.

Although; you could mess at the hackers mind and pick those phrases at random.

Presumably, it would still lock you out after two or three failed attempts. And it would NOT tell you that you got all but one. It would either let you in or fail.

What I'm saying is that only the legitimate user is likely to get 15 of 16 characters correct on a single try. Or 31 of 32 or whatever they make it next.

[DoggerDan]

[SIZE=2]Today when I...

Ooma, dude. Just do it. You'll be much happier.