wayne on June 30, 2008
Sometimes you just don't need to change your password as often as some 'systems' may want you to. Here is what I do every time I'm asked to change my password at work for our timecards.
My company uses ADP's ezLaborManager to allow employees to clock in and out of work. And while I am a salaried employee, this really doesn't apply to me, but I clock in and out anyway.
About every month we are asked by a system prompt to change our passwords. We don't really have a choice since it's imposed on us and we cannot get into the system without changing it first when we get this prompt.
I found a flaw in this system that negates their intended actions and helps me by allowing me to change the password when I want to, and not on a scheduled timer.
After the prompt to change my password displays, I play along. I change my password by simply adding a 1 to the end of my existing password. Once in the system, I access the options available to me, one of which is 'Change Password'.
I change my password 3 more times, each time either adding another 1 or changing the 1 to 2 and then 2 to 3. Once I have completed the third change, I perform the change password action one more time, this time setting it back to my original password. Now I can move on with my day, and the next day I won't forget my password because it is always the same.
Now, I know some may say that this may cause problems. The worst I fear that could happen here is that someone clock's me either in or out. Either way, I really don't care, because remember? I'm salaried.
Silly little system...
I do not recommend this for any other system that is critical to you or the operation of your business, or for systems that contain sensitive information! Let common sense rule.
