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Philsosphy of Password Security


KDBambergr
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Hi, I have a general question about password philosophy that I hope will see some general disscussion.
  Specifically:  Last week I updated one of my Email passwords via Firefox on a Windows Ten device.  ...lets just say, it is very secure, and that it took with no problems.
So, I went to my mobile device, opened the Mail app I've been using for years and attempted to update it.  The update failed!  It could not understand some of the special characters I used in the password.
  The question:  Should I change back to a less secure password, so that I can use the Mail Application I like, -OR- Should I load & use the Email providers App. which works with the new password, but I pretty much hate?
 
Let me know what you think.  ...and Thanks.
  --Karl.

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Baldrick
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  • April 29, 2018
'Philosophically' has nothing to do with it IMHO.
 
In reality, it really depends how secure the "less secure password" will be itself rather than how less secure it is when compared to the "very secure" new password.
 
A 6 character password using special characters may be less secure than a 64 character one that does not, and there are many such comparisons that can be made given that there are some many variables at potentially play here. 
 
So keep the application you like to us and just do your best to make the password you apply to it as secure as you can.
 
Regards, Baldrick

KDBambergr
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  • April 29, 2018
Baldrick, thanks for your input.
  ...and this is your Philosophy, "...keep the application you like to use and just do your best to make the password you apply to it as secure as you can."
 
I've always attempeted to use the strongest password I can and avoid app's/site's/systems that can't deal with them, as much as possible.  In fact I'm a big believer in two factor authentication (a bit much for Email itself, but good for accessing the Personal Information Profile and Settings behind the scenes: Name/Telephone/What-not.)
  And I have elected to keep the more secure password and use the Email providers App. on my mobile device.
 
 
--Karl.

Baldrick
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  • April 30, 2018
Hi KDBambergr
 
As I said previously...it is all relative. If that approach works for you then good on you.:D
 
Regards, Baldrick
 

KDBambergr
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  • April 30, 2018
Thanks again for your input.
  My whole point here is/was to get other's opinions.
I have been told that I'm too uptight about things like this.  I don't buy it, but am trying to have an open mind.
  Strong passwords and security practices are one side of the equation, but I wish we had better personal privicy laws here in the U.S. (see:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation).  I'm not saying the GDPR is perfect or anything, but right now U.S. companies have very little respect for personal privacy...
  --Karl.

Baldrick
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Appreciate what you aim/objective was and that was the reason for my last comment...glad that you had something to 'test' what you believe works for you against.
 
Just a shame that there were no further offerings/contributions. :(
 
Regards, Baldrick

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