Having two virtual keyboards and the problems it can cause.

Two stories.

1) Yesterday, in win7 fwiw, in Firefox, in the searchbox to the right
or the url box, I'm typing a search word and I notice it's coming out in
a different alphabet (from my other virtual keyboard). I change the
keyboard and it still does not come out in English. I cnange back again,
no change. I go to another window of FF, no change (I didn't think that
would work.)

Finally I typed very carefully and ignored what it showed in the search
box and the list of suggestions was in English and included what I had
tried to type!!! Clicking on that worked fine.

2) Trying to log into Amazon. Amazon has you put the userid first, and
you know if you got it right because it comes back with your email
address. That's good. So many pages won't tell you if your userid is
wrong or your password. I hate that.

I put in my password and it complains. I type it in more slowly and it
still doesn't like it I look it up to see if I'm right, and I am. I
type it even more slowly and now it wants to write me. I just happen to
notice that in the little box between the task bar and the systray, it's
not showing English. This little area is optional and if I'd chosen
not to have it, I'd have no indication why my password was not accepted.
Amazon only shows asterisks.

I change the keyboard and it works fine. Why doesn't Amazon, and
everyone else, let you see what you've typed for the password? Until a
couple years ago, their answer could have been, Didn't think of it.
But now 10 or 20% of pages let you display it if you choose. What's
wrong with the other 80%? Is this some power trip by web designers?
Are they sadists? Abused as children?

On 8/31/2020 10:36 AM, micky wrote [in part]:
Two stories.

1)

[snipped]

2) Trying to log into Amazon. Amazon has you put the userid first, and
you know if you got it right because it comes back with your email
address. That's good. So many pages won't tell you if your userid is
wrong or your password. I hate that.

I put in my password and it complains. I type it in more slowly and it
still doesn't like it I look it up to see if I'm right, and I am. I
type it even more slowly and now it wants to write me. I just happen to
notice that in the little box between the task bar and the systray, it's
not showing English. This little area is optional and if I'd chosen
not to have it, I'd have no indication why my password was not accepted.
Amazon only shows asterisks.

I change the keyboard and it works fine. Why doesn't Amazon, and
everyone else, let you see what you've typed for the password? Until a
couple years ago, their answer could have been, Didn't think of it.
But now 10 or 20% of pages let you display it if you choose. What's
wrong with the other 80%? Is this some power trip by web designers?
Are they sadists? Abused as children?

For older versions of Firefox (and SeaMonkey, too), there is an
extension Show my Password from http://netcat.ath.cx/extensions.html,
which is now defunct. Because so many extensions have no equivalent in
newer versions of SeaMonkey, I am still using version 2.49.5 and thus
still am using Show my Password.

To see an input password, I select the string of dots or asterisks and
right-click. If I do not see it, I repeat the process since the
extension shows the password on only alternating tries. The password
remains visible for several seconds, long enough to copy its actual value.

I have archived installer files of all the extensions I use. If you too
are using an older version of Firefox that is still compatible with .xpi
extensions and if you want Show my Password, reply in this newsgroup
thread. I will then make it available to you.

--
David E. Ross
That Flag:
http://www.rossde.com/editorials/edtl_conf_flag.html

A TV ad in support of re-electing President Trump and
featuring Vice-President Pence is sponsored by America
First Policy. In the 1930s, "America First" was the
name of a movement in the United States that supported
Hitler and the Nazis.

On 31 Aug 2020 at 18:36:17 BST, "micky" wrote:

Two stories.

1) Yesterday, in win7 fwiw, in Firefox, in the searchbox to the right
or the url box, I'm typing a search word and I notice it's coming out in
a different alphabet (from my other virtual keyboard). I change the
keyboard and it still does not come out in English. I cnange back again,
no change. I go to another window of FF, no change (I didn't think that
would work.)

Finally I typed very carefully and ignored what it showed in the search
box and the list of suggestions was in English and included what I had
tried to type!!! Clicking on that worked fine.

2) Trying to log into Amazon. Amazon has you put the userid first, and
you know if you got it right because it comes back with your email
address. That's good. So many pages won't tell you if your userid is
wrong or your password. I hate that.

That's a security feature so that potential hackers can't use the system to
verify valid usernames/emails. Which is why most forms don't tell you which of
your username or password is wrong if you fail to login correctly.

Good 'forgot my password' systems also don't confirm whether your recovery
email is valid. They normally say something like, "If your email is recognised
you will receive a password recovery email shortly."



I put in my password and it complains. I type it in more slowly and it
still doesn't like it I look it up to see if I'm right, and I am. I
type it even more slowly and now it wants to write me. I just happen to
notice that in the little box between the task bar and the systray, it's
not showing English. This little area is optional and if I'd chosen
not to have it, I'd have no indication why my password was not accepted.
Amazon only shows asterisks.

I change the keyboard and it works fine. Why doesn't Amazon, and
everyone else, let you see what you've typed for the password? Until a
couple years ago, their answer could have been, Didn't think of it.
But now 10 or 20% of pages let you display it if you choose. What's
wrong with the other 80%? Is this some power trip by web designers?
Are they sadists? Abused as children?

Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

They are genuine life changers. I've been using them for about 5-6 years and
could never go back.

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

They are genuine life changers. I've been using them for about 5-6 years and
could never go back.

Me too. I've even put in things like credit card numbers, so that
when buying on line I don't have to go and fetch my wallet to look at
the physical card, or the combination to the lock on the shed, so I
don't have to worry about forgetting it.

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
https://OakRoadSystems.com/
Shikata ga nai...

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Tue, 1 Sep 2020 14:42:03 -0700, Stan Brown
wrote:

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?

They are genuine life changers. I've been using them for about 5-6 years and
could never go back.

Me too. I've even put in things like credit card numbers, so that

Well, my wallet is usually downstairs and the computer upstairs so that
I have, disguised, in a file on my computer.

when buying on line I don't have to go and fetch my wallet to look at
the physical card, or the combination to the lock on the shed, so I
don't have to worry about forgetting it.

And I have lots of other things in the same file, library account
number, drivers license number, every cell phone number I've had, COA
number for my laptop and desktop, what ports email servers use, etc.
etc.

On 9/1/2020 5:24 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Tue, 1 Sep 2020 14:42:03 -0700, Stan Brown
wrote:

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?

They are genuine life changers. I've been using them for about 5-6 years and
could never go back.

Me too. I've even put in things like credit card numbers, so that

Well, my wallet is usually downstairs and the computer upstairs so that
I have, disguised, in a file on my computer.

when buying on line I don't have to go and fetch my wallet to look at
the physical card, or the combination to the lock on the shed, so I
don't have to worry about forgetting it.

And I have lots of other things in the same file, library account
number, drivers license number, every cell phone number I've had, COA
number for my laptop and desktop, what ports email servers use, etc.
etc.


I use the password managers that are built-in for SeaMonkey (which I use
only as a browser) and Thunderbird. One thing I like about them is that
the password databases are local to my PC and not on some server at an
outside service, which is a prime target for hackers.

I catagorize my credentials (user IDs plus passwords) into three groups.

* The least sensitive are those used merely to obtain my desired
configuration at a Web site. An example is the TV listing site operated
by gracenote.com. Since there are several differing channel lineups
even within Spectrum let alone among other cable and satellite
providers, I need to login to see what shows are on what channels.
These also include those use to login to discussion forums. I keep
these on my PC in a plain-text file.

* Truly sensitive are those used to login to sites where I make a
purchases. I keep these on my PC in an encrypted file.

* Exceptionally sensitive are those used to login to sites for banking,
investing, taxes, and utilities and also for my modem, router, E-mail
hosting, and personal Web site hosting. I keep these on my PC in an
encrypted file separately from the truly sensitive. I also periodically
change the passwords on all of these.

The master pass phrases (not a mere password) for decrypting the
encrypted files of the truly and exceptionally sensitive credentials
exist only in my head and sealed in an envelope in a bank vault. I use
a high-powered file-erase application to erase the decrypted files as
soon as I am done with using them.

--
David E. Ross
That Flag:
http://www.rossde.com/editorials/edtl_conf_flag.html

A TV ad in support of re-electing President Trump and
featuring Vice-President Pence is sponsored by America
First Policy. In the 1930s, "America First" was the
name of a movement in the United States that supported
Hitler and the Nazis.

On Tue, 01 Sep 2020 20:24:14 -0400, micky wrote:
Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?


I use KeePass: https://keepass.info/
KeePass works only locally, but of course you can use the cloud to
sync your password file with different devices. (I don't, because
"There is no cloud: it's just someone else's computer." I use a USB
stick.)

Here's a general rundown from a site I generally trust:

https://www.howtogeek.com/240255/pas...ared-lastpass-
vs-keepass-vs-dashlane-vs-1password/


And this Google search will give you lots more articles from How-To
Geek:
password managers site:howtogeek.com

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
https://OakRoadSystems.com/
Shikata ga nai...

micky wrote:
In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Tue, 1 Sep 2020 14:42:03 -0700, Stan Brown
wrote:

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?

I used to use KeepassX , but got fed up with the lack of browser
integration so I now use Enpass.

https://www.enpass.io/

I like it because it isn't cloud-based so your manager file is always local
and you can choose to sync it across devices with your choice of one of the
many dropbox-like services available.

It's free on the desktop, but costs on mobile if you have more than 25
entries. Makes it really easy to dip your toes in.


They are genuine life changers. I've been using them for about 5-6 years and
could never go back.

Me too. I've even put in things like credit card numbers, so that

Well, my wallet is usually downstairs and the computer upstairs so that
I have, disguised, in a file on my computer.

when buying on line I don't have to go and fetch my wallet to look at
the physical card, or the combination to the lock on the shed, so I
don't have to worry about forgetting it.

And I have lots of other things in the same file, library account
number, drivers license number, every cell phone number I've had, COA
number for my laptop and desktop, what ports email servers use, etc.
etc.

Well you're already doing everything a password manager does, but in an
insecure, non-portable and complicated way.

On 9/1/2020 5:24 PM, micky wrote:

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Tue, 1 Sep 2020 14:42:03 -0700, Stan Brown
wrote:

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?


You'll likely get different answers from different people. LastPass
seems to be the most popular, but I personally prefer EnPass.

Since I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy, I also keep all my
passwords (and also some other info) in KeyPass, so I've got something
if EnPass suddenly dies.


--
Ken

On 9/2/2020 12:20 AM, Chris wrote:
micky wrote:
In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Tue, 1 Sep 2020 14:42:03 -0700, Stan Brown
wrote:

On Tue, 1 Sep 2020 10:24:22 -0000 (UTC), Chris wrote:
Use a password manager. No messing with keyboard layouts, languages, CAPS LOCK
or even checking you've selected the correct input box. Just double-click your
password entry and you're in!

Or with some, you don't even have to do that. Set up a hotkey in the
password manager's settings, and then run the password manager in the
background. On whatever site's login screen, hit the hotkey
combination and it fills in username and password.

Well these are the most ringing endorsements I've seen for password
managers. Which ones do you guys use?

I used to use KeepassX , but got fed up with the lack of browser
integration so I now use Enpass.

https://www.enpass.io/

I like it because it isn't cloud-based so your manager file is always local
and you can choose to sync it across devices with your choice of one of the
many dropbox-like services available.

It's free on the desktop, but costs on mobile if you have more than 25
entries. Makes it really easy to dip your toes in.


Ditto. I also use and like Enpass, but I still keep and also use Key,
because I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy.I also keep Keypass for
two other reasons.

1. Sometimes I need to enter a password into a program, rather than onto
a web site, and I find it easier to use Keypass for that.

2. I keep other things besides passwords there, such as family social
Security numbers, safe combination.