Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I think the most important thing is that accessing any sensitive financial information - including your Social Security account - on public wifi - which is the way many people do things when it comes to cell phones - is totally stupid/unsafe.
And why would anyone - for the most part - have to access one's Social Security account while you're in the grocery store? As opposed to at home? And - if I'm at home - why wouldn't I prefer to use my computer with a big monitor and nice comfy keyboard as opposed to my cell phone? Someone my father's age - 98 - can't even handle a cell phone keypad these days (he has arthritis). FWIW - I haven't accessed my Social Security account for years. Why would I have cause to?
I do access my Medicare account more frequently. And that is a big PITA. Because Medicare requires you to change your password every 3 months. Why? Got me. Robyn
P.S. One reason people use public wifi is it's easier to find a public wifi signal in many indoor places than to find a signal from your carrier. One thing that pisses me off when I travel is it's becoming very hard to find secure internet access even in the best hotels these days. So - if I have to log on to a sensitive web site - I stay for the minimum amount of time (usually less than a minute).
Robyn they did that not so much to allow people access to the account via cell phone. It was a verification that it was the person who needed to access the account. Now I might agree with you as to being a bit more secure the SSA could have done it differently with many different apps.
Now as to the reason for the password change every 3 months there are pros and cons to that. The con is it takes time to memorize a new password and sometimes before you do remember it you might lock out your account requiring a password reset. The pros are that your account is more secure by having a new password more often making it harder for someone to guess it.
I like requirements for passwords to exceed 9 characters that also require at minimum 1 upper case 1 lower case 1 number and 1 special character. It is even better if they require 2 of each. Be aware that kids and adults today under 40 will probably see the use of the chip like the new credit cards. It will be a part of your drivers license or ID card. It will have a 6 to 9 digit pin to access it. That type of security is part of a very secure method of something you have and something you know. A more secure method would add in something you are like iris or finger print.
Even if it still was a requirement, you could get a text message phone number free at textfree.us and use it to receive the codes from SS.
But I wonder if the person at SS who made the decision to impose the text message system was embarrassed that it was rolled back, presumably on orders of the higher ups. Maybe that person now feels his job is in jeopardy, or that he might not have such a good future career there.
If it had been implemented as text message, email, or voice phone, your choice, I bet nobody would have complained. But of course that would have taken more work and competence.
I know what to say. While I am glad the SSA responded to popular demand in this matter, it is nonetheless a bit discouraging that so many seniors apparently cannot handle such a routine matter. It means they have in effect cut themselves off from modern life and continue to live in the past.
I know what to say too. I think it's condescending and patronizing of you to assume that because Social Security recipients (who aren't all seniors, BTW) don't/can't/won't text, that they're "living in the past and have cut themselves off from modern life." One can live an amazingly full life without being glued to a cell phone.
Actually, it's not an issue at all. All my financial web pages use HTTPS as does the Social Security web site. In 2016, I can't imagine there are any that don't. Among the many hats I've worn in my career, I happened to have done a lot of public key authentication and encryption work. I happily do my online banking anywhere in the world.
The biggest vulnerability is if someone gets your username and password. Most people don't use strong passwords so it's pretty easy to brute force your way in. They other main way in is a keylogger. If you don't have a good antivirus program, one of those can capture the keystrokes you use logging into things.
So if you're in an airport - and logging into a sensitive account with your username/password on public wifi (or even a private account for that matter) - of course you're vulnerable. There are people trolling around airports these days looking for people who are doing things like that. Why take a chance?
The average senior who isn't living in an RV doesn't have to. And why should they? I had an average day today. Doing desk work in the morning. Any sensitive stuff over my private internet at home. Then out to lunch - played golf - then to the grocery store - then home. Why on earth would I use public wifi to do anything sensitive on an average day? Robyn
I know what to say too. I think it's condescending and patronizing of you to assume that because Social Security recipients (who aren't all seniors, BTW) don't/can't/won't text, that they're "living in the past and have cut themselves off from modern life." One can live an amazingly full life without being glued to a cell phone.
I pretty much feel that way too. I spent my whole working life glued to an old fashioned phone. And - now that I'm retired - my attitude is "don't call me - I'll call you" . Same goes for texting.
I have been doing ok with a smart phone on public wifi. The big thing I can't do with it now is to use Uber. Wasn't an issue until recently because Uber didn't service where I live. Now that I can get Uber - I'm going to get a flavor of service where I can use it. But - like I said - it's more "don't call me - I'll call you". Robyn
Even if it still was a requirement, you could get a text message phone number free at textfree.us and use it to receive the codes from SS.
But I wonder if the person at SS who made the decision to impose the text message system was embarrassed that it was rolled back, presumably on orders of the higher ups. Maybe that person now feels his job is in jeopardy, or that he might not have such a good future career there.
If it had been implemented as text message, email, or voice phone, your choice, I bet nobody would have complained. But of course that would have taken more work and competence.
I know what to say too. I think it's condescending and patronizing of you to assume that because Social Security recipients (who aren't all seniors, BTW) don't/can't/won't text, that they're "living in the past and have cut themselves off from modern life." One can live an amazinglyfull life without being glued to a cell phone.
Straw man argument in bold. I am not glued to my cell phone.
I pretty much feel that way too. I spent my whole working life glued to an old fashioned phone. And - now that I'm retired - my attitude is "don't call me - I'll call you" . Same goes for texting.
I have been doing ok with a smart phone on public wifi. The big thing I can't do with it now is to use Uber. Wasn't an issue until recently because Uber didn't service where I live. Now that I can get Uber - I'm going to get a flavor of service where I can use it. But - like I said - it's more "don't call me - I'll call you". Robyn
Me too. I just got a smart phone last February when my ancient flip phone died. I use it more to look at FB, CD or other Internet websites when I'm riding the bus than as a phone. I look at phones as intrusions. At home, I have NOMOROBO so I am not bothered by robots and if I don't recognize a number or name on called ID the call goes to voice mail. Even if I do, sometimes it still does.
I like my TV, my computer and my Kindle. I do not like talking on the phone, any phone.
I think their are some seniors that do not what the inconvenience or the cost of having to use a cell phone when it should not really be the sole requirement.
I think the problem is the SS administration did not study the options available and did not make a workable solution. They should have added email as an option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdelena
That is a matter of opinion. If carrying a device to respond to others on demand is a requirement to live a modern life, I'm glad I passed. You can leave me a message and I will respond at my convenience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks
I know what to say too. I think it's condescending and patronizing of you to assume that because Social Security recipients (who aren't all seniors, BTW) don't/can't/won't text, that they're "living in the past and have cut themselves off from modern life." One can live an amazingly full life without being glued to a cell phone.
^^^^ This....
Escort Rider....Why would I want the expense for a smart phone that would get almost no use at all...
I have a flip phone and it's all I need for an emergency on the road or if we have a loss of power at the house...
Some of us old folks don't got no cell phone. The grim reaper will most likely come before a cell phone does.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
. Same goes for texting.
