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Old 02-07-09, 20:41   #6 (permalink)
Mike Lewis
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Default Re: Masked Passwords - really that *******?

Another thing that irritates me are websites that surround themselves with high security when there's nothing of any value to secure.

An example I have in mind is a property search site which I occasionally use to keep in touch with house prices. If you register with the site, you can save your search criteria, so that you don't have to enter them each time.

But in order to register, you not only have to give yourself a password, you have to answer all those silly questions about your pet's name and your favourite holiday destination. And if you lose your password, there's the usual rigmarole about getting a new one.

But with a site like that, what on earth is the use of that degree of security? If you lose your password, you can just register again. And if someone manages to discover your password, so what. The worst the can happen is that they will know what type of property you are interested in, but since they wouldn't have any personal details to connect that to -- not even your name -- I can't see how that would embarrass anyone.
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