From four-digit telephone calls to RedZebr@1, technology has stretched our minds
According to the Oxford Dictionary, “A password is a string of characters that allows access to a computer system or service.” Why does the word send a shudder through my body? I don’t think this is necessarily an age-related thing, but it could be.
Supposedly, the folks in charge of my life are worried about my security. I wish they were more worried about my sanity instead. How could something as innocent as a word that is my protective shield make me throw a cell phone across the room (OK, just down on the sofa)?
For those of you old enough, you’ll remember when your phone number was four numerals that you spoke to an operator. Worked like a charm! Then it went to six numerals you had to dial — that’s when we learned what your index finger was made for. The friendly operator who knew everyone in town was gone.
Six digits were OK because everyone you knew had the same first three digits. We had these lightening quick brains back then and could remember those numbers, and if we needed help, we could quickly look in our phonebook and memorize a new number.
But still, before cell phones, we old folks knew dozens of phone numbers. We actually, carried them around in our heads.
Can you imagine if the phone company asked us to change our phone numbers every six months for security? But that is precisely what is driving me crazy about passwords. Per the instructions that are six lines of restrictions long, I have to create a password that is 8-10 digits long, with a mixture of capital letters, digits and punctuation marks.
You’re not allowed to use the name of the company or your own name in the password, please avoid your birth year, and finally, you can’t use the same password you’ve used in the past 10 years. But the biggest issue is that you have to remember it for at least 60 seconds while you find paper and a pen to write it down. Oh, and they insist you change it every 90 days.
I can remember the first phone number I had growing up, #1227 in Ark City, Kansas. But I can’t remember if I used RedZebr@1 or PurpleHorse$4 or Bl@zingHot48 to log into banking. And the computer is supposed to save them for me, but that takes another passcode.
I realize technology is designed to help us, but the learning curve is steep. When my mother was 75 years old, we offered to buy her an iPad. But she didn’t think it was necessary at her age. She lived two more decades and missed out on years of fun and engagement with her family.
So, even when my login and password do not match, I will plug ahead with all my frustration because I don’t want to miss out on decades of fun.
Find Connie’s book, “Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging,” at www.justnowoldenough.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: From four-digit telephone calls to RedZebr@1, technology is taxing
