I hadn't heard. But I cannot see what accounts of mine they could do anything with? Since, if you remember my other thread, none of the information is correct. None of my accounts will match. So one answer won't work every time.

Except my student loan stuff. They import that stuff. What're they gonna do, add a vehicle to my car insurance?

This post was edited by rob333 on Wed, Aug 6, 14 at 11:16

One of our news stations just touched on that this morning, nothing in great detail - like what types websites may have been compromised. I'm sure there will be more information available as the day goes on, we can better determine how concerned to be.

Here is a link that might be useful: Passwords security breach

CNN says the hackers stole 1.2 billion names and passwords from 420,000 websites. These include small sites as well as some "household names." So I'm thinking it could include some sites where I shop.

But the article also says it won't have much of an impact on individuals, so maybe I'll just take this opportunity to look over my passwords and see which ones can be improved.

I'm changing them all. Going through my favorites list and that is helping me see what sites I forgot about. I needed to update them anyhow. I don't think it'll make much dif, but it also couldn't hurt to change them.

rob, I like your first post more. You're right, do you want to risk someone logging in to your cable account and cancelling your HBO subscription without your authorization?

News reports are too often just sensationalized non-stories. If you worry about your passwords, most people have no more than 3 or 4 accounts to be concerned about. Or, honestly, nothing to be concerned about (which is the real state of affairs).

Whomever can figure out a way to deal with privacy and bypass the need for language passwords will make a mint and gain much appreciation!

I think my bigger point was, I have nothing financial online, so they wouldn't do anything but cause me a headache snidely. I have already stripped anything financial off, not even a credit card for my son to one-click and upload a school book. Nothing. They might've made it so I couldn't get into an email account I have, but it wouldn't have gained them my personal info or financial access.

Although I tend to agree with Snidely...that the average household user probably won't be affected by this...it's always safe to assume you might be...and change your passwords. As a rule of thumb...that should be done every six months anyway. If you are the recipient of spam or other junk mail on a regular basis...chances are you may have been "invaded". If you do a lot of selling on the computer...like you do, Susan...I'd change passwords. If you use your credit card on line or do your banking on line...change your passwords and/or make sure your accounts require double authentication.

The MS tool attached below is an excellent tool. Give it a whirl with your new passwords.

As an aside...but in keeping with this subject...I have the program Malwarebytes [paid version] on my system. Over the last several months I've sat here in amazement at times while Malwarebytes thwarted continual attempts [their pup-up notifications] of Russian sites trying to enter my system. On one afternoon...I counted eight consecutive tries...then a lull...and then a repeated eight to ten attempts....all within a period of less than five minutes. Fortunately...Malwarebytes did their job well. As a general rule...I keep a very close watch over my system but of all the security tools I've had on my systems over the years...Malwarebytes has been the best investment I ever made and I'll never be without it.

Anne

Here is a link that might be useful: Password tester

I have always had the most important sites on their own passwords (bank, email, Amazon, health insurance). (I think I'm going to add Facebook to this list, actually, given the info that could be gleaned.)

I don't know that it's worth changing those, but they're the ones I'd change if I were worried.

All the totally unimportant ones, even e-commerce ones, are the same password. I figure, what are they going to do if they can hack my THS account?
And if they get through at other retailers, they might be able to get my credit card info, but they can get that so many other ways, and credit card companies have methods to protect their customers.

Not even a credit card number available online.

Nuthin!

o j

I do almost all of my finances online. I am changing all the PWs. I am considering using a password manager such as Safe Pass. I think that is the name.

I've changed most of the passwords on my accounts. Some of them I've used for years so it was time to create new ones.

The NYTimes article that I read today mentioned 2 password managers - LastPass and Password Safe.

And if you do decide to make up your own passwords they offered these tips.

......................."make sure they are not based on dictionary words. Even a word obscured with symbols and numbers can be cracked relatively quickly. Mr. Schneier suggests creating an anagram from a sentence, and using symbols and numbers to make it more complicated.

For example, the sentence One time in class I ate some glue could become 1TiC!AsG.

Create the strongest passwords for the sites that contain the most sensitive information and do not reuse them anywhere"........

Here is a link that might be useful: NY Times