To hate how complicated verification has become online?

[antelopevalley]

Just been trying to add Microsoft authenticator onto my mobile phone to get into a training resource area. It has a number of stages including adding my password for my Microsoft account. I am not sure what this is but tried a few passwords but no joy and I can not reset the password without contacting my IT.

Now on hold to IT, for who knows how long. Where I will be patronised by young people who will clearly think I am stupid.

I am not trying to get into highly confidential files. I just want to see some slides from a training session I attended. It just seems ridiculous and total overkill.

AIBU? And if you live in Scotland, can you pop round and sort this out for me? Thanks.

I got asked for my Microsoft password the other day, I just assumed they meant my Outlook password (that I use for email) so used that and it seemed to work.

I have all my passwords saved on a locked note on my phone. Using hidden code words - I’m a living, breathing enigma machine.

My husband is currently trying to notify various institutions that my father-in-law has died. He's not the most computer literate and we're on the verge of divorce because he has to register here, follow convoluted links etc.

I agree OP. My work computer asks for extra layers of verification at least three times a week. I don't work in a data sensitive businesses or role. I have so many different passwords I do the unforgiveable and keep a handwritten list on my shelf at home. There must be a better way!

Try the one you use for Outlook or check your browser to check if your microsoft password is one of your saved passwords.

My head is melted by a this shit. To add a payee to my online banking and send them money. I have to
enter id code (9 digit number)
Enter DOB
Enter 3 random numbers from 6 digit Pin
Wait For bank To message phone
Swipe For authenification
Fill In info on payee
Repeat Steps 3-5
Request payment to new Payee
Repeat Steps 3-5
If You don't get the authentication And swipe on Time, it times you out. It's a fucking nightmare.

I do all personal bank transfers by phone with First Direct. I used to bank online and found it was taking far longer than just phoning up. Probably because nearly every payment I make is a new payee.

I don't think you are unreasonable OP, we have to have so many different passwords for everything AND you have to keep changing them. You're doing well if you manage to remember them! My computer remembers most of mine for me, but sometimes websites log you out or don't let your computer remember you and it's such a pain. For work, even though we are logged in, we still have log in separately to certain applications with different log-ins. I tend not to even bother, unless I really have to, like when I need to book leave.

Although when I saw the title of your thread, I thought it was going to be about the increasing security of bank websites. It's obviously good that security is taken seriously but it's not great if you can't actually use websites easily anymore. I dread the moment you start needing two factor authentication for buying things online as well (at the moment my bank doesn't require it). Nationwide is the worst for this - you log in using two factor authentication and it STILL insists on the card reader for even a small transaction.

The whole concept of online security needs to be completely re-thought. The problem is that in the techie mindset the way to improve security is to add more & more layers of complexity and more hoops for users to jump through. The problem with this approach is that it creates more difficulties for non-technical users and more opportunities for us to forget things, or make mistakes, or just get more confused.

In 2022 we should all be able to prove our identity and access our accounts using our unique voices or fingerprints or retinas but instead of making life easier for users by figuring out how to do this, techies just make things more difficult.

Not the point of the thread, but I assume you know about tell us once? www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once.

Oh Yes!
The 'never write it down' advice , never use the same password twice, and then ask for character 2, 6, 11 {oh yes I hold all those numbers and letters in my head at all times]

I will never trust my passwords to a 'cloud' or a computer.

I have a specific 'notation' that I use. I have notebook that records a couple of data points for each password. I have a way of recording where the 'notation' does not match the required charaacteristics of the password.

But I'm in my 60's. How the hell will I do this in my 80's?
And I will never trust it ti the cloud.

My worst experience of passwords etc was setting something up that took 2 hours, requires 2 separate apps on my phone and involved 3 calls to some helpdesk people in India with really bad connections. My only consolation was that the helpdesk people have to deal with idiots like me calling them at what must be the middle of their night, so they must have been having a worse time than me.

YANBU. I’ve been locked out of my internet bank forever now because the online banking system has my phone number one digit wrong. I have spent hours on hold, been to the branch twice and waited for various special codes to be posted to me which either don’t come or are meaningless when they do arrive. I’m often falsely told the problem is solved because my number is only wrong in one specific area of their website which only 2 out of about 30 people I have spoken to have managed to access but neither could change.

i also can’t face the ball ache of changing bank when I can’t log in to see if everything is ok.

I can also no longer buy stuff online since two step verification was introduced for most online purchases. I use another bank most of the time but it’s the only one that offers a specific service I need.

It is annoying but worth it to protect accounts from scammers and hackers.

I have had this in spades! E.g. Called to shut down my DFs broadband and mobile phone account and after lots of arguing and sending them the death certificate, they sent me a link to an online form I could fill out. The link required me to input a security code that they had texted to my DFs mobile to access the form! (His mobile went with him to hospital and then mysteriously disappeared- I had told them I didn’t have it, it was lost).

Then so much more…every account it is a fight.