this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2024
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Yeah, I think 7 and 8 both cover that. I recently signed up for an account where all of the "security questions" provided asked about things that could be either looked up or reasonably guessed based on looked up information.
We live in a tech world designed for the technically illiterate.
I usually invent answers to those and store those answers in a password manager. Essentially turns them into backup passwords that can be spoken over the phone if necessary.
Where was I born? "Stallheim, EUSA, Mars"
Name of first pet? "Groovy Tuesday"
It's fun, usually.
I tried that without a password manager for a little while. But then my answers were too abstract to remember, so now I also use a password manager for that.
What is the first name of your first best friend?
Oh old eoY&Z9m4LNRDY!Gzdd%q98LYiBi8Nq and I go way back! I met eoY&Z9m4LNRDY!Gzdd%q98LYiBi8Nq in Pre-K and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
It is quite annoying if they’re a service that makes you read aloud your security questions to phone reps to prove your identity. One of my retirement accounts requires that and I have to sigh and read out the full string. I’ve changed it since to an all lowercase, 20 digit string as a compromise.
20 character all lowercase is very secure as long as its random words / letters that would make it unguessable by knowing you.
Edit: you could also prefix it if you think you'd have to read it
"This question is stupid fuck nuts house gravel neptune cow."
Sarah Palin had her Yahoo mail account hacked because of those "security" questions. In 2008. We should be well past the time where they are a thing.
Q: What do you often see when you look out your back window?
A: Vladimir Putin riding a horse shirtless.
Hey maybe the GOP got connected with Putin because he was often at Palin's backyard BBQs when he would ride over to say hi when he saw the gathering.
Though I also just noticed there's only two letters different between Putin and Palin... Maybe it was just Putin in a wig the whole time.