General Chat

IF you use gmail this item well worth reading - too complicated for me - I like things simple and I dislike giving me fone number to any organisation. Fone is like me on its last legs as is over 10 years old and I only have it switched on when in car on my own or, "by arrangement". Dont use it to access 'net

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/gmail-warning-google-is-making-a-major-change-to-your-email-account-this-month/ar-AAQnX2c?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531 :-(

Thanks Ron, interesting and more hassle for us by the looks of it.

when I found I had Gmail,

there were nearly 200 unread messages...mostly advertising...

It is impossible to have either an Android device or a Chrome browser installed without also having a gmail account. Even if the account is not used for email it will exist.

Due to the weakness of using only password authentication many sites, especially those with potential access to financial apps are beefing up authentication. One of the simplest methods is "two step" where the app or web site requires (a) the login name + password and (2) entering a code sent as a text message to a mobile phone. There are work arounds for those with no text capable phone. Paypal for instance uses this method except on low value items.

Fingerprint authentication is popular with banks and Microsoft.

Those with gmail accounts not used except logging onto the device should make sure thay have any additional info used to set up the account available. Otherwise they could find themselves locked out.

Just a word about fingerprint authentication - a friend of ours is very ill in hospital with no visitors allowed due to to Covid. His wife is therefore unable to access his phone as she can't get his fingerprint to unlock it. More hassle when it's the last thing she needs.

I have facial recognition on mine but i also have a password set up so can use either. This way, if daughter wanted access to my phone if i was in hospital, she knows where i keep my passwords.

Florence in the hebrides

Good idea Florence!

Florence is quite right to have an alternative to fingerprint. However Windows 10 also has the option of text pin for authentication. It is fairly easy to recover the Pin thus allowing login.