Tech Tip: Know your passwords!
One of the most difficult things to help people with is a lost password. All the "tech magic" in the world sometimes just isn't enough to help someone get back into a forgotten account.
Here are some ways to avoid being stuck in password limbo:
- Don't assume that because your phone or computer remembers your password, you're fine. If you don't know how to access those stored passwords, you'll be out of luck if something happens to your phone or you need to get access on a different device.
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Store your passwords in a secure location. (Yes, a notebook that you keep in a safe place at home is a secure enough location for most people.) Don't write them down on little scraps of paper that you stick in a pocket or purse - you'll never find them again!
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Remember that it's not the provider's responsibility to help you get back into your account. Imagine this: you've lost your credit card and you've changed your address without telling your bank, dropped your landline without giving your bank your cell number, don't know your account number, and can't remember your mother's maiden name. Would you expect your bank to still tell you that account number over the phone? Of course not! It's the same with your password: if the website or service provider doesn't have another way to verify that you are you, they have no obligation to give you access to your account.
Here's what NOT to do: Don't use the same password for every account just because it's easy to remember. When a hacker gets into a website's password data, the first thing they will do is try your password on any other website they can think of. If you've reused your password, you're only as strong as the least-secure website you've ever logged into.
A great way to keep track of your passwords is to use a password manager. I'll share more info about them in my my next Tech Tip!
Need more help?
Librarian Teresa Schmidt holds "Tech Tuesdays" to provide one-on-one help with your technology questions at the library. Appointments are available on most Tuesdays and on other days as necessary. Call us at 715-476-2366 for more info or to make an appointment.