REMEMBER YOUR SECURITY INFO !!!!!

[richard]

I have just registered on a site that will allow me to order repeat prescriptions online.

I was given a form with some security information I needed in order to access the site. This consisted of a 6 digit PIN no, 3 digit Practice Number, 4 digit Access ID and a 10 digit NHS number. The process of registration involved creating an 8 digit Password, a security question about my favourite Pop Star and a 10 digit user ID.

The form advises me that I should not have this information written down in an identifiable format and that the registration form should be destroyed.

This is a total of 41 digits plus the security question and password.

Simple really.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I thought this is mainly an English-speaking board.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I have just registered on a site that will allow me to order repeat prescriptions online.

I was given a form with some security information I needed in order to access the site. This consisted of a 6 digit PIN no, 3 digit Practice Number, 4 digit Access ID and a 10 digit NHS number. The process of registration involved creating an 8 digit Password, a security question about my favourite Pop Star and a 10 digit user ID.

The form advises me that I should not have this information written down in an identifiable format and that the registration form should be destroyed.

This is a total of 41 digits plus the security question and password.

Simple really.

did they get your credit card detail as well? no website should be asking that much information, sounds a bit dodgy

[richard]

This is totally legitimate. Got the registration form from my doctor's surgery.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

This is totally legitimate. Got the registration form from my doctor's surgery.

lol that's insane

[Lezard]

The form advises me that I should not have this information written down in an identifiable format...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENIGMA-CX-52-Cipher-Machine-Hagelin-Crypto-Cypher-descendent-M-209-and-HC-9-/290871886762?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b950c3aa

[Toe-Knee]

This is totally legitimate. Got the registration form from my doctor's surgery.

My surgery used to do this. Now i just login with a 6 digit ID and a password of my choice. I was so glad when they changed it.

[Philly Q]

I don't want to compromise your security Richard.... but who is your favourite Pop Star?

[dave_mc]

that's crazy. I remember reading an article in the paper a while back which summed it up pretty nicely, i think (this is paraphrased, obviously): We've come up with a system for passwords which humans find incredibly difficult to remember, and which computers find very easy to crack.

[richard]

I don't want to compromise your security Richard.... but who is your favourite Pop Star?

This was strange. I was getting very frustrated with the endless registration process by the time this question appeared and it's a long time since I've heard the term 'Pop Star'. I replied without thinking and I think I reverted to being 13 years old - my answer was 'Alice Cooper'.

[Philly Q]

I don't want to compromise your security Richard.... but who is your favourite Pop Star?

This was strange. I was getting very frustrated with the endless registration process by the time this question appeared and it's a long time since I've heard the term 'Pop Star'. I replied without thinking and I think I reverted to being 13 years old - my answer was 'Alice Cooper'.

If I'd reacted in the same way I'd have probably said "Gary Glitter".  Which might've resulted in a visit from the bizzies.....  :?

[Muttley]

This program is a goat-send for managing passwords and security credentials:

http://keepass.info/

It's basically a way to keep all your security information in an encrypted database that you access with one password (make sure it's a good one) plus optionally a keyfile.  I keep mine in my Dropbox and it means I can easily access my passwords from any PC plus my phone if needed.