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To: CE2949BB
I haven't read the article yet, but I'm wondering if the password was the name of one of her children or if the password recovery feature of Yahoo! was exploited?

Why do so many password-recovery doodads require people to use stupid questions? There are many things that I will remember for a lifetime, but few people are apt to know but me; indeed, some things nobody will know but me.

For example, 'What was the name of the singer you saw at Ontario Place during childhood'. I saw exactly one concert there, and I remember some of the songs from the concert as well as the identity of the lead singer. I suppose a stranger who was really desperate might conceivably be able to figure out when my parents and I were in Canada, and then cross-check that with a schedule of Ontario Place concerts, but I doubt that would be a realistic attack. Of course, my parents and siblings might remember some of that information, and perhaps even the concert itself, but strangers wouldn't have a chance.

BTW, one of my pet peeves is web sites that have various requirements for passwords but don't state those requirements at the login page. I can't see that putting such information on the login screen would compromise the security of any site that allows free public accounts.

20 posted on 09/17/2008 7:51:06 PM PDT by supercat
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To: supercat

Ontaio Place? I remember it. Remeber the 50 ads per night they would run on local Buffalo TV.


24 posted on 09/17/2008 8:03:25 PM PDT by Damifino (The true measure of a man is found in what he would do if he knew no one would ever find out.)
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To: supercat

I read years ago about brain sludge - information we keep in our heads that no one else would know. Just exactly what you stated. I have brain sludge info - phone number when I was a kid, license tag of first car, things like that.


93 posted on 09/18/2008 5:04:33 AM PDT by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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