more password help

I acknowledge that too many of my ITmail topics are about passwords. And this is another one. But passwords are a source of much frustration — and seem only to keep us out of our own accounts — so perhaps the more we discuss how to manage them, the less frustrating they will be. 

Here’s an important tip: changing a password in one place does not necessarily change it everywhere. You have to do it manually. 

• If you change your email password (but let's talk first about why you need to do this), you will need to enter the new password on your phone, your tablet, and your computer.

• If you change your wi-fi password (maybe if you get a new modem), you will need to re-connect all of your wi-fi-dependent systems to your network by entering the new password (printers, security systems, TVs, sound systems, lights, thermostats, etc.). Many of these systems are controlled by apps on your phone and that’s where you would enter your new wi-fi password.

• If you change a password for a specific program/app, you will have to enter that new password if you use that app on another device and the device has stored the old password. Enter the new password once and allow the device to store the new one if you wish.

• Also, as an aside, if you get a new phone or a new car, you will have to pair them to each other by accessing the bluetooth settings in your phone and following the car-specific instructions.

As always, only change a password if you want to (to make it stronger or because the account was compromised) or the request comes from a legitimate source. Too many scams start with authentic-looking emails insisting you change a password. (Don’t do it!)

I hope this helps.