Do we really need Passwords, User ID's and User Names? Part Two

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I also want to thank all those that wrote me or commented on Part One of Passwords, User ID's and User Names.  Overwhelmingly, I seem to have hit on a subject that many feel the same way about Passwords, User ID’s and Names.  It has become a necessary technology evil.

Some use the same password or variant throughout their secure life.  Others carry a sheet with all the various information, while still others store them in an application on their phone, tablet or computer and need to only remember one user ID and password.

 

Whatever method you may use as I mentioned earlier, we have to keep too many passwords, user ID’s or user names to survive on the internet.  There needs to be a better way.  I think one of the more interesting password combinations I found is one a friend uses is: Idontknow and when it had to be changed they changed it to Istilldontknow.

 

Remember when business was done with a hand shake?  Do you recall, or even ask your mother or father, that there was a time when there weren’t forms, more forms and forms for the forms to go along with the passwords, user ID’s and user names and various codes.  Unfortunately today, we must always protect ourselves from law suits, theft and deceit today.  

About twenty-five years ago the internet didn’t play a part in our business or personal life at all.  Today, it has become the backbone of our life.  Not having internet service, unthinkable?  What has the world become?

Let’s not forget video surveillance, similar to the novel published in 1949, George Orwell’s  “1984,” there are camera’s nearly everywhere we go.  You would think it would deter crime, yeah right.  Very few get away with anything forever.  Eventually, most people get caught.  But, sometimes they don’t.  And each idiot thinks’ they can be the one to get away with it.

It comes down to, whom do you trust and how much do you trust them with? A lot of people trusted Bernie Maddoff and looked what happened.  A lot of people put trust in our Congress and Senate and look what it got us.  If we have a difficult time trusting, as we must now, then we must find a better protect ourselves, something we can trust for accuracy. That brings us to Passwords, User ID’s and User Names…..

  

It has become apparent why we have codes and passwords to protect us, but, there needs to be better alternatives and there are.  Let’s look at a few.

There is technology that uses finger or palm prints, and others that have eye identification, still others with facial identification.  These technologies will need to become affordable and much more accurate.  Eventually these technologies will reach perfection, are more accurate and can’t be duplicated or manipulated.  A universal identification standard program.

 

Most importantly in my case, we wouldn’t have to remember codes, passwords, user ID or name ever again.  Most states, like here in Georgia, require a thumb print on your driver’s license so it’s nothing new to allow the government to have this information.

I hope that everything will, one day, go to a swipe of my finger for my finger print or stare into here for your eye print.  We would then set a standard throughout the country.  Any time you need to use a password and user name or ID, you just swipe your finger or palm or look into the camera or stare at this for your eye scan.  

It could be attached to your computer as it’s the safest way to keep your computer only for you.  It could be used along with credit cards or even replace credit cards, where the charge would still be sent to them but only after a scan.  All you need in your wallet is your driver’s license, insurance identification with a required scan, and cash.  Unfortunately, cash will always remain the hardest one to actually keep in your wallet.

If someone had a ski mask on or gloves, they aren’t getting through the security.  Halloween, though, could be tricky.  It would protect your credit card that was stolen and save the banks, and credit companies millions which could be passed onto the consumers.  But you know they will then have a fee for each time you are scanned.  LOL

Here’s an idea:  Maybe Mr. Obama could invest our money in this technology for the good of the country and make every company provide one of these alternatives for their clients.  It sure would make me happy!  How about you?  You have to admit, it would be a better investment than the green initiative company, Solyndra, loan turned out when they went bankrupt after our politician’s loaned the company $750,000,000 of our money!

It would save billions from those stealing Social Security Checks, Welfare, and Disability checks. As this is very common and it’s robbing those that need it the most.  What if there was a kiosk in every grocery store (we all have to get food sometime) and it would print your check after you were scanned?

 

Today, most everyone has access to a computer via the library, friends, or senior’s park district centers, etc.  If you are bed ridden, or in a hospital, this would not be a problem as hospitals and doctors could use them to insure each patient gets the correct dosage of their medicines and insure the person is who they say they are. No more "pill shopping" for patients trying to feed an addiction, because they will be scanned.

 A scanner comes with every computer as part of the computer or a scanner, with a connection to the internet, could be used to confirm that you are getting your check which will be then credited to your account which will also require a finger, palm or face electronic ID to access.

 

It would save on postage and paper as well as government checks will no longer required to be mailed and those that are direct deposited, they bank would require a scan to get your money. 

Those living in government subsidized housing, on Welfare or receiving Food Stamps, will get access to their money, right after they take the drug test for illicit drugs. The idea being, it is not the intent of any of these programs to be forever, the money is intended for food, clothing, and housing.  Not much else, especially not harmful illegal or abusing legal addicting drugs.

So here we are over 60 years since George Orwell’s 1949 novel as he was a little early for its time and interesting how similar as it is today and as in his “1984”. Almost frightening how similar.

I am sure the cost would be much less than what our country loaned to the wonderful bankers and automobile companies in the recent bailouts or the subsidizing “green initiatives” companies that went bankrupt or “shovel ready” projects that haven’t begun yet.  

Funding could come from all the monies that were set aside a few years ago, that still haven’t been spent on the projects that were to create jobs and help the economy.  This would create jobs, promote technology and make our money and personal information more secure.  It might even find some people that were able to get away with something illegal years ago.

The possibilities are endless.  Airports, train stations, starting your vehicle......  What do you think?

See you soon in the next installment of Notes By Blue.

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