# Changing Passwords

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [March 13, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145 "2002-03-13T23:34:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145/1 "2002-03-13T23:34:58Z")

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Well, I changed my password because when there’s a security problem with the board, I figure I should. And it was even cautiously suggested!

> [@](#):
>
> We do not think passwords were compromised, but just to be on the safe side you might consider changing yours.

But now it’s “Don’t change your passwords! You’ll go to limbo!”

Well, anyway: Thanks for bringing me back, Tuba, I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.

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**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145/2 "2002-03-13T23:56:47Z")

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In the future - use a different password for every internet site you visit! Or use the same password for all the “unimportant” sites, and a different password for all the “important” sites (e.g. those that maintain credit card/financial information.)

I have all my passwords in one securely encrypted file on my hard disk. Of course, if I forgot the password to my securely encrypted file, I would be SOL but there is no perfect solution.

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145/3 "2002-03-13T23:57:38Z")

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Yeah, I saw that suggestion, too, so I changed my password with no problems, on Sunday night at about 9:15 p.m., after the revamped boards had been up for about 45 minutes. However, I wasn’t also trying to change my e-mail address, so maybe it’s only if you’re trying to change both things at the same session?

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**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2002, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145/4 "2002-03-14T23:29:27Z")

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I’ve had a distinct password for the SDMB since the first time I saw it get cracked. But I do change that password now & then, even though it now has no effect on any other account of mine. I’m protective of my online identity, I guess.

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**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2002, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-passwords/98145/5 "2002-03-14T23:32:48Z")

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Hmmm… come to think of it, I didn’t notice any problem when I changed my password. So maybe I wasn’t sent to limbo?

Oh, well, whatever.