What is with the "special" password ?

[cliff20]

I have wondered why on this forum you need, or would want, a "special" password that is more than 8 digits long, have capitals, and small letters ?
It is not like you are selling something, or I'm using a credit card, or I'm paying for the privilege of using the forum.
I'm simply enjoying myself, buying nothing, and reading what other people think, or are making.

I have been a member for several years, and only yesterday wrote my first comment. The reason is simple, I had lost the special password. I could of got another, but the hassle of going through that, the waiting for the return of a new one, etc. The comment wasn't worth the effort in time and hassle to make in most cases.
Yesterday I found the special password, totally by accident. It is not a password I normally keep under lock and key, that if discovered could cost me financially.
A password to a forum of this kind should be something easy to remember, that I come up with that say is 8 digits long, if that. I see no confidential, or secret information, or justification for an assigned length, variations in the type of digits, etc., password.
I guess I could put the password in my computer to come up with it automatically when I accessed the site. But if my computer is hacked, I would be opening more than HMEM to the world of ID theft. So I don't use any automatic password programs.
I just wonder how many other people look and read, but don't reply, or download, simply because of that same fact.
If I'm missing something, please advise. Otherwise just address this as a comment.

cliff20

 

[tornitore45]

Cliff I understand your frustration, but there may be some personal information on your profile worth snatching for some scammer. Sure yours or anybody post are valuable secrets, but that is the world we live in today.

 

[Wizard69]

Passwords are highly overated for computer security needs! Short plain text passwords can be hacked within minutes these days if hackers get access to the password database they can work on the password list at will.

So we have a situation where security of any type requires long hard to remember passwords. This is bad for humans but modern browsers can manage passwords for you ( if you trust the browser).

Generally on a web site like this the hackers will not be after a lot of personal data as there isnt much here. Rather they will attempt to create personal harm often by uploading spam, porn or other materials that can put you in a negative light. Basically simple minded folks that get their jollies from harming others at a distance. Right now long password, complex ones at that, are the only way to slow these pathetic hackers down.

 

[grg12]

Easy to remember password that you use on many websites is what hackers want. They will try to steal password database from any service - just to try every decoded pass and username everywhere else.
Sorry that's the world we live in [emoji35]
My method to deal with the problem - few often used passwords memorized ("memory palace" trick really works), everything else encrypted and stored in password manager.

 

[Cymro77]

My system has been memorized passwords using a base with added symbols or numbers. I have now had my identity stolen twice with almost disastrous results. My resulting use of more complex passwords has ended up with the frustration of being unable to memorize. Now I carry a notepad with all passwords written in it - that also is a pain! Now all of my credit cards are "locked" along with other rotating security measures that are a pain unto themselves. Oh for the good old days!