passwords

Joan uses Gmail for her webmail. It keeps asking her if she wants to save her password. Leo says that sounds like her browser is doing that, and she's using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Leo recommends Google Chrome because both Microsoft browsers have the ability to save the password, but it's not encrypted or protected. It sounds like it's not even doing that, though.

Joe's wife can't remember the login on her old Windows computer. Leo says that on older Windows Vista computers, security isn't as good as it is now. There used to be a hidden administrator account. Leo recommends trying "administrator" or "admin" with blank password. If that works, she can get in and create a new account to move her stuff over too. There are also programs that she can run that can crack the password. NT Crack is one. But to use it for college?

Cam has an Arris Wi-Fi router hardwired into his computer, but he can't modify the settings. Leo says he should be able to. He should call the cable company and ask them for the password to access the router. Or, instead of using their router, ask them what third party routers they will support and he can buy his own. He'll want a DOCSIS III.

Check out this app: Snoop Snitch in the Google Play store. It will tell him how secure his router is.

Perry has his life on Yahoo and he can't find his password. He wants to reset it, but it requires a cell phone number and his cell phone doesn't work. Leo says that with this unique situation, the solution would be to write Marissa Mayer at Yahoo and ask if she can help. She'll likely assign a high level tech support person to help. But there's a good chance that he won't be able to get it unless he can remember the password.

Jose's laptop got stolen and he has no backups. Leo says the first thing Jose should do is change all the passwords for any online banking, social media, etc, and turn on second factor authentication. He should also turn on encryption on his mobile devices. It's a harsh lesson, but Jose has learned to always backup and encrypt his data.

Gary has lost the ability to enter a pass phrase and now has to enter a six digit number on his mobile phone. Leo says that it makes it much harder to guess, and when coupled with the feature to wipe the phone after 10 tries, he'll be pretty secure. He also has the fingerprint reader. That six digit code means someone would have to try millions of password combinations. So he's safe.

Steve has an iPhone 6s Plus and he's being driven crazy by Apple constantly asking for his password. Leo says Apple has decided to be the security company, but what bugs him is that they already have a secure method with the fingerprint reader. Isn't that enough? He talked to an Apple Genius and they say it's a bug. But Steve Gibson says there's probably a method to their madness and it's by design.

Sam can't connect his wife's iPad to his Wi-Fi Network. He tries to input his password, but it says the password isn't correct, even though his other devices use it just fine. Leo says the iPad probably remembered an incorrectly entered password. Sam should go into Settings, and choose "forget this network." This will erase the password so he can reacquire the network and input the correct password. That should solve the issue. Another possible solution is to shut it all the way off, wait a few minutes and turn it back on.

Steve was robbed recently and they got ahold of his laptop. Even though it's password protected, can they get his personal data? Leo says absolutely. A password is only to keep someone out who walks by. But if they have time, they can use password crackers to brute force the password free. That's really the most serious issue -- if he has any banking information and passwords on it. But considering that the theives may have been homeless, Leo hopes that they likely won't have the tools to take advantage of it.