I really have to laugh at myself sometimes at how I give my heart a big leap without cause. The other day I opened up my Hotmail account where I found a message from facebook advising me that an unknown computer had logged onto my account. Apparently this is a safety feature on facebook. So I go through all the steps of changing all my passwords on any e-mail account associated with facebook - these, of course, being passwords that I seriously doubt I'll be able to remember in the next month or so. I never use the same password for two different sites and I marvel (not the exact description of my reaction) at people who use the same simple password for everything. After I'd wasted all that time and my heart had slowed down some, I realized the IP address in the cry-wolf message had been my own - my account had been logged onto from my computer! I need to follow my own advice to the students: read the instructions carefully! I'll try and use this incident as a training exercise. Nevertheless, I'm not one of those who can be complacent about questions of security.
Don't believe everything I say about learning a lesson though because the other day I had to remind myself that I must remember to look through the peephole before I open my door. Twice recently I've opened to sales people. In this matter I'm so used to the neighbour who constantly uses me as a resource centre ringing the doorbell. Then when I don't open immediately or shout, she always says the same, "Oh, I thought you weren't at home." The other day apparently I didn't get to the door quickly enough, because I was having lunch in front of the TV and needed to put my plate up so Zara wouldn't eat my food before I answered the door.. When I opened the door, there she was already heading upstairs. She didn't tell me what she wanted, just continued climbing the stairs and closed her door. Such rudeness puts me in a black mood! She had wanted to record a telephone conversation with the administrator, whom she's not happy with (she's not happy with most people), and probably wanted me to show her how to record on the cassette recorder again for the umpteenth time - not that I mind explaining things numerous times. I do that naturally. I haven't seen or heard her since. My name must be mud, but so is hers!
I suppose I can't have all bad experiences. Yesterday I'd just got back from my usual Saturday afternoon food shopping when the heavens opened up and it started sleeting. It pinged against all of my windows for less than 5 minutes. Rain doesn't usually hit the windows in the dining area or the bathroom (photo taken from bathroom). Now I can say all my windows are dirty again! When I went out this morning dressed for cold weather, the first person I saw was someone dressed for a marathon, minus the number.
Oh, I spoke too soon. The doorbell has just rung and she's asked for my brush to clean the leaves and pollen that the wind has blown in. I think, or hope, in the future if she wants to clean the hallway, she'll get her own cleaning materials. I just knew she was going to start cleaning the pavement with the brush that I use on my floors! She would have too had I not shouted. She had the cheek to say that it had rained. Maybe I'm too particular, but I find the streets disgusting. After I'd returned from shopping yesterday, there was a dog turd near our rubbish bins that hadn't been there when I went out.
I sure didn't mean to go on so and hope everyone has a good safe week without any severe weather.
I too have been caught up in that kind of reactionary trap. Such messages can be cause for concern, causing us to throw our usual caution out of the window. I usually check things closely before I react or take action on most things, but those generic warning messages seem to have a fear and immediacy about them.
ReplyDeleteThe whole password creation, maintenance and memory retention of the codes is one computer area that I've yet to settle to my satisfaction. I have a program that generates new passwords. They are complicated out of this world passwords, but remembering them is a near impossible chore. I'm still reduced to writing them down, creating paper lists, thus defeating the use of the computer for digital storage and eliminating paper.
I'm surprised that your neighbor missed seeing the doggie turd. Then maybe you are fortunate that she didn't see it and have your brush with her. I will say that if there are pet droppings out there, I'd much rather see them before I walk than not see them. LOL
There are tons of scams out there so whenever I receive emails I make sure I read them and sometimes twice. I remember receiving an email once telling me that my bank account has been locked due to several incorrect passwords trying to access my account and to click on the link and submit my old password followed by a new password to reopen my account. The funny part is it came from a bank I had no dealings. Later, I got to thinking what would have done if it was my bank, would I have reacted differently because of fear. I contacted my bank and they advised that they would never send any emails regarding password changes, etc. they would contact me by phone and request I visit them immediately. We need to be careful now a days. Read everything.
ReplyDeleteI never open messages from banks unless I know the message is from my bank. They put a big warning on their page saying they never ask for the type of information you've described. I, and I'm sure most people, get these messages about our accounts from banks we don't use. I get $1000 gift certificates from Walmart too when Walmart doesn't exist in Europe. Luckily those all go into my junk mail and I delete them without opening.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are tons of scams everywhere. The other day I was in the street with my dog when a young man told me his wallet had been stolen and he needed money to get home. When I said no, he went around the corner and went in the gate at the squatters'.
Hope all was ok with your account.
ReplyDeleteBlooming cheeky mare!! using your brushes to sweep the streets ~ your a little far for me to come and borrow you window washing things!! lol
ok brenda my dear perhaps my headache I woke up with is worse than I thought
ReplyDeleteI am trying to make sense of the copied line I put in quote :
IE:what stairs??at your house? is she roommate? or neighbor
so after you answer those question I can remark lol:::
the brush she borrowed oh nooooooooooo,,nooooooooooooooo,
I would tell her to buy her own
and who's dog made the mess???I would tell that person also ..
I'm tough when it comes to people like this
you have the patience of a saint....I don't want to have those extreme patience with anyone::
PS/I met a lady one day years ago ,I thought what a nice person
I found out she was a thief years later when she ripped me of $200
I was going to the bank that day and she happened to be over for coffee..she went through my purse while I was in the abthroom makes one think doesn't it?I knew this neighbor for years
but didn't really know HER"
Interesting post lol:::::
Good to be catching up on your news, Brenda. Now I'm worried about you answering the door without looking through the peep hold first!! LOL Be careful, my friend!!
ReplyDelete