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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?
You are incorrect. You authenticate with public key technology and the communication is encrypted. I'm just as secure in an airport as I am at home. The risk on the internet is not having a good firewall installed on your laptop. The vulnerability on public WiFi is from hackers breaking into a poorly secured machine, not from them monitoring encrypted/secure web transactions. If you run any of the popular firewall/antivirus packages, and if you take all the Windows updates, you shouldn't have a problem.
Every corporate road warrior is on public internet constantly. Their corporate IT makes sure their machines have all the right firewall/antivirus software installed. They also tend to insist on strong passwords. I can sit in the airport and do corporate email all day without concern just like I can hit my bank and finance web sites without concern.
What about seniors with kids and grandkids - do y'all have smart or not so smart phones?
I know several seniors that just go on and on about their grandkids but yet always seem to miss their calls. They never have their phones handy. I don't get it. Wouldn't this wonderful device that keeps you in instant contact with your supposed loved ones be near and dear to you?
That's not the point. The point is that there is a SIGNIFICANT minority of people 62 and OLDER who don't text or have the means to text. I think we forget we're not just talking about YOUNG retirees but everyone who is retired - up to the age of 100! Quit berating them! Find methods that work for as many of the people that are expected to use the service as possible. That's where the SSA failed - they didn't do their homework - they let stupid consultants who were not retirement age develop the plan.
That's not the point. The point is that there is a SIGNIFICANT minority of people 62 and OLDER who don't text or have the means to text. I think we forget we're not just talking about YOUNG retirees but everyone who is retired - up to the age of 100! Quit berating them! Find methods that work for as many of the people that are expected to use the service as possible. That's where the SSA failed - they didn't do their homework - they let stupid consultants who were not retirement age develop the plan.
The only way they would need the texting service is if they also had an online account. Those hundred year old seniors probably do not.
You are incorrect. You authenticate with public key technology and the communication is encrypted. I'm just as secure in an airport as I am at home. The risk on the internet is not having a good firewall installed on your laptop. The vulnerability on public WiFi is from hackers breaking into a poorly secured machine, not from them monitoring encrypted/secure web transactions. If you run any of the popular firewall/antivirus packages, and if you take all the Windows updates, you shouldn't have a problem.
Every corporate road warrior is on public internet constantly. Their corporate IT makes sure their machines have all the right firewall/antivirus software installed. They also tend to insist on strong passwords. I can sit in the airport and do corporate email all day without concern just like I can hit my bank and finance web sites without concern.
Even if I were to agree with you - I - like most retired people - aren't "corporate road warriors". Although some of us might have been in former lives . We don't have corporate IT to back us up (which is why I can't agree with you - I'm on my own when it comes to these things). Also - I'm not sure how a strong password will help you (as opposed to a weak password) if someone a chair or two down from you is hacking into what you do.
In any event - I usually take about 3 air trips a year these days. For fun . I am thinking more of relaxing. Having a few drinks/a bit to eat in the airline lounge before departure - watching "chick flicks" on the flight - sleeping if it's a long-haul flight - stuff like that. As opposed to checking into my SS account . Robyn
Why not? There are actually a lot of good reasons why a 100-year-old would be likely to have an online account.
My 98 year old father has online accounts. But I handle all his bank/brokerage/similar accounts for security reasons. When it comes to his Amazon Prime account - I trust him with that. Robyn
I'm a 39 year old SS recipient and I'll tell you from experience that logging on to my personal SS account is such a hassle that I have to call them with all my inquiries when it comes to personal information. And I'm a tech savvy gal. I can get general information and the Medicare website is OK. Sometimes. But even the Medicare website often gives me error messages, saying that I don't exist. Government bureaucracy at its finest.
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. We don't have corporate IT to back us up (which is why I can't agree with you - I'm on my own when it comes to these things). Also - I'm not sure how a strong password will help you (as opposed to a weak password) if someone a chair or two down from you is hacking into what you do.
. I am thinking more of relaxing. Having a few drinks/a bit to eat in the airline lounge before departure - watching "chick flicks" on the flight - sleeping if it's a long-haul flight - stuff like that. As opposed to checking into my SS account 
