Can’t cope with tech and the endlessth checks and passwords. I’m 55 but feel 105!!!

[HeBeaverandSheBeaver]

Trying to do some paperwork for a new job and it’s impossible. Download this app. My pc won’t accept the app. Try on my phone. Make an account. Change password. Try to open training doc. Enter password. Oops password not accepted. Try to change password. Now not being sent new link. This is toooooooo hard. No support as all remote. I hate tech I hate tech I hate tech.

It's going to only get worse, cybercrime will get worse, we will be in a never ending spiral. All those AI scammers waiting to pounce.

If your new job is in the NHS be prepared to loose your mind.

In a way it's a bit of a relief to read this, I've been just about in tears lately because everything is so much hassle and wondering if i'm just past it (I'm 56).
New boiler had to have a HIVE app, it stopped working yesterday, husband was on the phone for ages, eventually transpires we need a wifi booster. £40. Previous old boiler? Press a switch and it comes on for an extra hour. No ruddy apps involved.
Message to say payment declined, cannot find anywhere on the website to just 'make a payment', have to ring up and go through security.
Hassle with trying to buy a new washing machine - tbh I miss the days when you could just go to a shop and pay for things.
Why is everything so HARD?

@Judellie please tell me they haven't actually invented boilers that don't work without it? I mean, surely the boiler has off/on switch?

This. While I agree that some things are needlessly difficult and frustrating a password manager makes things so much easier. I'm 67 and I worked this out a long time ago!

I totally sympathise and I work in IT, I think one of the biggest frustrations is the inconsistency and the lack of clarity in the instructions. The only advice I can give is....

1. Read the instructions carefully, especially when it appears to have gone wrong, there's often a clue!
2. Use a password manager, (for multiple reasons) and delete "dead" credentials to avoid confusion.
3. Be prepared to reset the password if it's unknown, and save it in the password manager for next time (and test it works!)
4. If something really is broken try to raise a support ticket, they might not know and you might save other users from experiencing the same fate!

My 16yo is enrolling on an apprenticeship in nuclear that requires high level security clearance. The emails/links/forms/attachments are too much for even me and I’m pretty good with that stuff. I said to her, everyone enrolling should’ve been taken on site and guided through it in a day session. It’s brutal.

I agree. Only 43. I need… 5 different passwords and a separate device for my work laptop to work. All the passwords need updated all the time. Resetting my mum’s Kindle to Amazon to bank card was on another level with two factor everything. My own phone is getting old and won’t support some apps now so It’s back to the laptop, then back to a phone for a code, go into email to verify account etc. Its exhausting.

Hi @Emeraldroulette when we had gone to the manual override to press the switch it just kept saying, 'initializing' (actually not that word, but some word that didn't make any sense), so you couldn't just do the 'boost' thing form either there or the Hive app on the phones, went to the boiler itself and we have a red light, then we have to ring them up before we can get started again.
The hive app doesn't actually say what's wrong just that thing aren't working.
Bit like some of our work systems, when they work, they're great, but mostly they don't work, or that's how it feels!
It's sorted now so trying not to think about it unless I have to!

I’m hyperventilating reading this (kidding).

However in all seriousness this isn’t great. Desktop, even password protected still relies on your wider security. Emailing it to yourself is another possible vulnerability depending on security around your email too.

Worth using something like One Password or a type of password value which will be far more heavily secured and encrypted than a spreadsheet and can also generate passwords for you that aren’t pets name etc.

As it is you’d likely be pretty easy to compromise and if your banking passwords are all in one spot, you’re making it very easy for the threat actor.

Yeah that will be a lot!

This is why we need to encourage kids to embrace tech (within reason of course) as they’ll live in a very very different world to us and we won’t always be able to, technically, help them navigate it.

Yeah that will be a lot!

This is why we need to encourage kids to embrace tech (within reason of course) as they’ll live in a very very different world to us and we won’t always be able to, technically, help them navigate it.