Do not change that password

[guitarist]

Today's counterprogramming

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/...?page=full

[M A V I C]

New reasons for something that has been known for years.

[Doc]

It wasn't a "study."

It was one man's opinion with some back-of-the-napkin calculations.

Thanks to his presentation there is now a debate on the matter and some companies are likely to do studies on it in the near future.

But his conclusions are about as valid as the guy who thinks cell towers cause his rabbits to get extra horny.

[guitarist]

Doc wrote:
It wasn't a "study."

It was one man's opinion with some back-of-the-napkin calculations.

But his conclusions are about as valid as the guy who thinks cell towers cause his rabbits to get extra horny.

That's funny, because that's how the majority of intelligent regular people feel about the conclusions and recommendations of "computer security experts".

[Black]

Love this article- feeling validated. Thanks for posting.

[Doc]

guitarist wrote:
[quote=Doc]
It wasn't a "study."

It was one man's opinion with some back-of-the-napkin calculations.

But his conclusions are about as valid as the guy who thinks cell towers cause his rabbits to get extra horny.

That's funny, because that's how the majority of intelligent regular people feel about the conclusions and recommendations of "computer security experts".
Fine.

You go ahead and keep using your birthday for your ATM PIN.

[rgG]

My bank makes me change my PW every so often, whether I want to or not.

[guitarist]

Doc wrote:

Fine.

You go ahead and keep using your birthday for your ATM PIN.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Doc, and pretend you're not making ignorant negative assumptions about my password security habits. I'll just accept that you're cheesed off, and you take the subject personally, for reasons that aren't clear yet.

Doc, what's your interest in the conventional wisdom? The supposed necessity of playing musical passwords--that makes you find this guy's contrary view so offensive, or repellent?

Are you a computer security expert, and have an honest beef with his advice? If so, I'd like to hear it. Or a victimized computer user? Has your system been compromised? Resulting in a more vigilant approach to passwords? Just curious.

I don't have a strong opinion one way or another, I just thought it was an interesting contrary view, a welcome tonic for those who feel they're made to jump through unnecessary hoops for questionable reasons.

[C(-)ris]

This guy is just advocating that you play the lottery. He is only going to be wrong 1 out of a couple million times, but how would you like to be the one that gets their identity stolen? Sure, there is a very slim chance someone would get your password and use it to steal your identity. Probably slightly better than you winning the lottery, but not much. Wouldn't you rather take all the precautions whether you like to or not? Especially if you are dealing with information that should NEVER get out? I can't imagine a medical professional being OK with taking any sort of risk over their password if they have access to patient files. Or a government worker with a security clearance? They should be taking every possible security precaution. No matter how unlikely it is that not doing so would cause a breach.

I disagree with his opinion that thieves aren't going to sit 6 months on a password. I bet they would, they do it all the time with stolen credit card numbers. Many times it is 6 months or more than a year before the stolen card gets used. Same with passwords I bet.

[Doc]

guitarist wrote:
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Doc, and pretend you're not making ignorant negative assumptions about my password security habits. I'll just accept that you're cheesed off, and you take the subject personally, for reasons that aren't clear yet.

I'm not cheesed off.

The guy is a head-case and he's inviting fools to follow him. Do so at your peril.