I will never do online shopping again! Awhile back I ordered a big screen TV and someone used my cc # twice before the bank called me to check if they were my purchases.
It is easier for hackers to crack a credit card number than it is to crack a password.
A typical keyboard has 104 keys, take away special functions like Control, Enter, Shift, and you still have 80+ keys plus their shifted counterparts. So any single character can any one of 160 characters.
So to crack a password, a hacker has to take 160 guesses if you use a single character for a password or 160 * 160 guesses for a two character password. It’s easy to see how rapidly the number of guesses escalates as you add characters to your password. The longer, the better. Add to this that you can have a password that is anywhere from 6 to 20 characters (on some sites) and the hacker has to try 14 sets of guesses.
A credit card has exactly 16 characters and only 0-9 are allowed as characters and there are limits on where these characters can occur (for example there are a limited number of combinations of the first 4 characters because they identify the company: Visa, Master Card, etc.) Also there are “checksums” to prove that the number is a valid number. So there is a finite number of valid credit cards out there.
If that’s the worst part of on-line shopping you’re doing good. Just think of the positives, one being you don’t have to wear clothes to shop on-line. Oh, I’m sorry I mentioned that.
Started using Walmart grocery pickup before the pandemic shutdown. Still do since it eliminates the time it takes me to gather the stuff in the store and best of all ….waiting in the dreaded checkout line for 20-30 minutes.
As an experiment, I began adding other non-grocery merch to my regular weekly grocery run. No Problem, I’ve bought stuff such as, cases of copy paper, a dozen pair of socks, and computer print cartridges. They just throw it in with my groceries. Love it!
Aunty isn’t aware that she can store that info in the account (Amazon, eBay, etc.) she’s on. Whether that’s secure or not, I’m sure she’d go for it in a minute if she knew about it.
The Worst part about Online Shopping is how Easy it is to let the combination of Laziness, Greed and “Oooh, Shiny” work together to empty out your bank account.
ChristineFoxdale over 3 years ago
She doesn’t have it memorized ?
charliefarmrhere over 3 years ago
Regular customers usually have their credit card on file where they shop frequently.
stillfickled Premium Member over 3 years ago
I will never do online shopping again! Awhile back I ordered a big screen TV and someone used my cc # twice before the bank called me to check if they were my purchases.
The Reader Premium Member over 3 years ago
No, the worst part is trying to find something for $5.15, so you qualify for free shipping.
jmworacle over 3 years ago
Or you find that your card declined. Thank-you for picking up the typo.
dflak over 3 years ago
It is easier for hackers to crack a credit card number than it is to crack a password.
A typical keyboard has 104 keys, take away special functions like Control, Enter, Shift, and you still have 80+ keys plus their shifted counterparts. So any single character can any one of 160 characters.
So to crack a password, a hacker has to take 160 guesses if you use a single character for a password or 160 * 160 guesses for a two character password. It’s easy to see how rapidly the number of guesses escalates as you add characters to your password. The longer, the better. Add to this that you can have a password that is anywhere from 6 to 20 characters (on some sites) and the hacker has to try 14 sets of guesses.
A credit card has exactly 16 characters and only 0-9 are allowed as characters and there are limits on where these characters can occur (for example there are a limited number of combinations of the first 4 characters because they identify the company: Visa, Master Card, etc.) Also there are “checksums” to prove that the number is a valid number. So there is a finite number of valid credit cards out there.
Troglodyte over 3 years ago
Our hearts bleed for you, Aunty…not!
freewaydog over 3 years ago
I can relate. :)
jango over 3 years ago
So that’s how Auntie gets her exercise!
pearlyqim over 3 years ago
Ain’t that the truth! :-)
paranormal over 3 years ago
Just memorize it! I can’t seem to memorize mine. I did memorize the work credit card I had. I guess entering it so many times online did the trick…
battycomic Premium Member over 3 years ago
Or wallet.
cuzinron47 over 3 years ago
If that’s the worst part of on-line shopping you’re doing good. Just think of the positives, one being you don’t have to wear clothes to shop on-line. Oh, I’m sorry I mentioned that.
assrdood over 3 years ago
Sharing this:
Started using Walmart grocery pickup before the pandemic shutdown. Still do since it eliminates the time it takes me to gather the stuff in the store and best of all ….waiting in the dreaded checkout line for 20-30 minutes.
As an experiment, I began adding other non-grocery merch to my regular weekly grocery run. No Problem, I’ve bought stuff such as, cases of copy paper, a dozen pair of socks, and computer print cartridges. They just throw it in with my groceries. Love it!
No, I don’t work for Walmart.
LrdSlvrhnd over 3 years ago
My mother had a sticky note on her computer to avoid this situation.
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 3 years ago
PayPal is easier and safer. Plus, I don’t have to memorize anything.
paullp Premium Member over 3 years ago
Aunty isn’t aware that she can store that info in the account (Amazon, eBay, etc.) she’s on. Whether that’s secure or not, I’m sure she’d go for it in a minute if she knew about it.
mistercatworks over 3 years ago
It’s a very bad sign if you have it memorized.
bakana over 3 years ago
The Worst part about Online Shopping is how Easy it is to let the combination of Laziness, Greed and “Oooh, Shiny” work together to empty out your bank account.