What’s your password?

I have never been a numbers gal. So having to remember all these passwords and  pin numbers is such a challenge. Plus as I age, it has become increasingly more difficult. My hard drive is full.

Don’t know about you but having to answer and come up with all these answers for security questions is also a pain.   I mean, do I really have to remember who was my first best friend at school, etc…? I mean, at the risk of aging myself that was over forty years ago!

Another tricky one is when people send you money through e-transfer. It’s those security questions that can catch you out.  I remember one time that the security question was to name the dog.  So naturally, I named our dog of the time.  Wrong.  It was her dog, stupid.  Like I am supposed to know what Fido’s name is??? Really. I don’t think so.  Since then I have made a point of clarifying not only what the security question will be , but more importantly what the correct answer is.

I find too that I have a consistent password that I use, partly so I remember.  But then there comes a time when whatever system you are in, you have to change.  How many ways can you pretzel your favourite names, dates, etc… so that

a) you remember and

b) keep your password safe?

My daughter had an experience recently with her bank, which will remain unnamed,  where not only did she have to answer their absurd security questions, but then had to come up with a phrase.  Her answer – this is stupid.  Her husband was less polite.

While you can appreciate that financial institutions want to protect their clients, there is a fine line and some of the banks have crossed it.  Sadly they may find that their very protection of clients may well be what turns them away.