Computer Pet Peeve: I Have To Change Passwords…Again?!?

Generally speaking, computers and online applications have made our lives much easier. From shopping to doing your personal banking, you can pretty much do it all online, and usually from an app on your mobile device these days. Of course, as the Target data breach showed us last fall, things are not infallible, however. So I understand that it's in everyone's best interest that our financial institution makes us change passwords to access our online checking and savings account. But is it REALLY making things more secure?

Just when I get used to inputting a password without any mistakes is about the time they make us change it. I routinely use the handy 'bill payer' feature our financial institution offers online and on their mobile app. It makes paying our utility and other bills as easy as tapping out a few keystrokes on my iPhone. But, as I mentioned, our financial institution makes us choose a new password every 6 months. And, as another protection, if you incorrectly try to log into either the online site or the mobile apps too many times-- like after you've had to change your password, for instance-- it locks up and requires you to call for assistance to log-in. All I'm trying to do is pay a few bills, for crying out loud!  If someone want to log into our account and pay them for me, have at it, I say!

Yet, the 4-digit access code we use with our debit card at an ATM machine, oddly, hasn't required us to update our password--ever.  And THAT seems to me to be where someone would be more likely to access information or siphon money from our account. (And don't get me started on having to change my email password every 6 months!) Ahh, technology. It sure makes our life easier-- but it brings with it a whole new set of frustrations at times!