Speaking from experience, as well as paranoia, I change my passwords on a regular basis. For the past several years, it has been the "weekend" when we switch from daylight to regular time. I also change the batteries in my smoke detector and other devices at that time, and other chores that may not get done as regularly as they should. (A/C filter, H2O filter, etc.)
I currently have 19 email addresses between gmail, hotmail, yahoo, and another. Checked and downloaded daily. Each represents a specific site, or interest category. Whenever I register for a "new" site, I create a new email address. After awhile, I will change it to one of my categories to consolidate messages. This "system" works well for me. And I've never, ever had an online provider web based email address hacked.
I also do not use "simple" passwords. I do have a program that resides on my main computer and is encrypted and password protected that stores my passwords, and also will paste them where appropriate to log on. The only way for a hacker to get my passwords would be to hack the site, not my computer. Oh, I also have a usb pen drive with my passwords securely stored for backup or use on other computers.
I'm pretty religious about my computer and data protection, and just how much I trust sites. My most "common" password is the same for LVA and three other Vegas forums. Everything else is different. Even my pin code for individual debit or bank cards varies.
Yeah, it's extra "work" twiccce a year. Maybe an hour, or less. But I have peace of mind.
I currently have 19 email addresses between gmail, hotmail, yahoo, and another. Checked and downloaded daily. Each represents a specific site, or interest category. Whenever I register for a "new" site, I create a new email address. After awhile, I will change it to one of my categories to consolidate messages. This "system" works well for me. And I've never, ever had an online provider web based email address hacked.
I also do not use "simple" passwords. I do have a program that resides on my main computer and is encrypted and password protected that stores my passwords, and also will paste them where appropriate to log on. The only way for a hacker to get my passwords would be to hack the site, not my computer. Oh, I also have a usb pen drive with my passwords securely stored for backup or use on other computers.
I'm pretty religious about my computer and data protection, and just how much I trust sites. My most "common" password is the same for LVA and three other Vegas forums. Everything else is different. Even my pin code for individual debit or bank cards varies.
Yeah, it's extra "work" twiccce a year. Maybe an hour, or less. But I have peace of mind.
