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If I wanted to, no doubt I could access my ex's SSA account. I know which passwords he would use and could answer every security question asked. And yes, I could access his email account as well. What I could not do is intercept the code sent via text.
He shouldn't share his passwords with untrustworthy strangers, ex's, and their ilk.
The same kind of problem could be just the opposite in some situations. An untrustworthy family member might have access to the cell phone but not to the passwords etc.
He shouldn't share his passwords with untrustworthy strangers, ex's, and their ilk.
The same kind of problem could be just the opposite in some situations. An untrustworthy family member might have access to the cell phone but not to the passwords etc.
You mean a spouse should either not share a user i.d. and password while married or immediately change both of these when contemplating a divorce.
To gain access to a secure site, the family member would need the password even if he or she had the cell phone.
To gain access to a secure site, the family member would need the password even if he or she had the cell phone.
The point about the cell phone is that using it as the only method of multi-factor authentication doesn't accomplish the goal of security but does accomplish the goal of harassing millions of senior citizens and making things harder for them. In other words, it's a scheme imposed by a government, or other big stupid organization. And we need ways to work around such schemes, because they're constantly being imposed by people who would be unemployable if they weren't employed for their stupidity.
The point about the cell phone is that using it as the only method of multi-factor authentication doesn't accomplish the goal of security but does accomplish the goal of harassing millions of senior citizens and making things harder for them. In other words, it's a scheme imposed by a government, or other big stupid organization. And we need ways to work around such schemes, because they're constantly being imposed by people who would be unemployable if they weren't employed for their stupidity.
Awhile back there was a big phone give away to people who couldn't afford cell phones. I wonder if seniors who can't afford one will be given one? That doesn't solve the problem of seniors who have problems, either seeing the small print, typing on the small letters, learning how to use new technology.
Honestly I'll bet many seniors can't get to SSA via online either. They either have to call, go to the library and get a librarian to help them, or just get a ride to their local SSA office.
The solution is to assign each senior an intern under the age of 21, who would be responsible for the senior's tech needs. That would alleviate the confusion for us old folks and give the youngsters something to do besides hunting for Pokemon.
Of course, we could still hide our own Easter eggs.
There are scams where you receive an email or phone call from people claiming to be from either the IRS or some other official agency. IRS doesn't send emails or make phone calls, they use US Mail. I would be extremely suspicious especially if they asked for your SS number.
Because that would defeat the entire purpose of the two-step authentication process.
The whole point is to require two different means of communication to authenticate your account. If your computer security has been compromised by a keystroke logger or by some other means, then SSA emailing you a code obviously wouldn't be adding an additional level of security.
A keystroke logger does not read your email! If someone has hacked my social security account, that doesn't mean it's hacked my google account. They are two different things.
I am happy to see the SSA implement two-step authentication and am frankly surprised it took them so long to do so. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but you can get a free Google Voice number and use it to send and receive text messages directly from your computer, no cell phone required.
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