7:00 AM- I woke up and looked at the time on my iPhone. I purchased my iPhone approximately 3 years ago. I have not changed my password since I started using my phone.
For my blog I searched online as to the recommended time period that iPhone passwords should be changed. Numerous sources recommended changing an iPhone password every few months.
If you use your iPhone on an unsecured network, then the password should be changed immediately. This makes sense to me. Obviously in my house, I am not on an unsecured network.
Another time to change a password is if you get a virus or malware from opening a corrupted file. A third time to change a password is if your phone carrier informs you that there is a data breach. I currently have service from TMobile. I do not remember TMobile notifying me of a data breach, but if TMobile does contact me, then I will definitely change my password.
Based on the information in my MCO 425 Digital Media Literacy class, I will be changing my iPhone password more often. A benefit from regularly changing your password is that unauthorized users cannot access any information on my iPhone.
7:05 AM- I checked Snapchat on my iPhone and texted my boyfriend good morning.
I changed my password in December 2023 due to Snapchat updates. Snapchat requires that passwords be changed annually. Snapchat makes it easy to change your password. Under Settings, go to Password. Snapchat requires that the password be at least 8 characters. The characters must include upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Snapchat recommends that you do not use your name, phone number or birthday as your password. By using your name, phone number, or birthday, you make it easier for someone to hack into your account.
It is also important to check your privacy setting to see who can see your location, stories, and snaps. In addition, Snapchat sends you an email when someone logs into your account. This is a good security practice.
7:20 AM- I turned on Spotify on my iPhone and listened to my playlist while I got ready for the day,
I changed my password on Spotify in June 2024. I liked to say that I changed the account for security, but that is not why I changed my Spotify password. When I started working at Starbucks I was eligible for a free Spotify premium account. I closed my Spotify account and opened a new Spotify premium account. When I opened my account, I was required to set a password.
Spotify maintains a file of your personal data, playlist, listening history, and billing information. It is important to change your password regularly to ensure that someone who is not authorized accesses your information.
8:00 AM- I went on Snapchat on my iPhone to text my boyfriend to ask when and where I was supposed to meet him.
My Snapchat password was changed December 2023. I will set a reminder that I need to change my Snapchat password in a few months to avoid anyone accessing my personal information.
9:00 AM- I looked at Life360 on my iPhone to see where my mother was so that I could join her while she walked the dog. I was able to find her location.
Life 360 recommends changing your password every 3 months. I do not remember ever changing my password. I have used Life360 for at least 5 years. This is a problem and I will be updating my password this week.
While I was reviewing Life 360 information, I located a video on YouTube by Cyber Fareedah, an Internet safety expert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3e5LYsf-ek
As noted in my MCO 425 Digital Media Literacy course, many companies collect data and then sell the data. Life360 followed this protocol.
After receiving negative publicity about their sale of private information, Life360 modified their behavior and has restricted the sale of some of the information collected.
9:05 AM- I put my Fitbit on my wrist and manually started my exercise for my fitness for walking class requirement.
I recently purchased my Fitbit. I do not recall setting a password; however, my search online indicated that I must have password.
Fitbit offers an option to keep me logged in. This is not a secure option. It is safer to log in each time I use my Fitbit.
Fitbit sends a notification when a password is not safe.
9:15 AM- I left my house and I used my iPhone to call my mother to ask where she was with the dog so I could walk with her.
As I mentioned earlier in my blog, I have not updated my iPhone password in three years. I plan to start changing my iPhone password every three months as a security measure.
9:50 AM- I manually stopped my exercise on my Fitbit so that it could track my minutes.
10:00 AM- I set a 10 minute timer on my iPhone after I put my clothes in the dryer.
10:10 AM- I turned off my 10 minute timer on my iPhone when it went off
11:00 AM- I went onto my ASU account to check the requirements for my 24 hour media journal blog assignment. I am a new ASU student, so I have not changed my password. ASU requires that all students change their password every 180 days. ASU also recommends that if you think that someone has access to your account, then you should change your password. In addition, if you use a public or unsecured network, then it is prudent to change your password.
11:10 AM I went on my Lenovo YOGA laptop and submitted my schedule check for my student teaching position.
I changed the password to my laptop when I was prompted last week.
11:45 AM- I accessed Google Maps on my iPhone and entered Cracker Barrell, where I planned to meet my boyfriend. Google Maps does not require a password to use.
While I was researching Google Maps for my blog, I read an article from TechGig https://content.techgig.com/it-security/google-maps-bug-hints-cyber-attack-secure-your-device/articleshow/86259336.cms which addressed possible cyber attacks on Google Maps. The article indicated that users had directions read by a different voice; male versus female or an unusual accent. When this occurs, Google recommends security steps to take to secure your phone which include reporting the issue to Google, then do a factory reset on your phone, clear storage and Cache, and turning off the “Open by default” option. In addition, Google recommends checking permissions granted to Google Maps.
12:10 PM- I accessed Discord on my iPhone.
I changed my password on Discord in December 2023. I received a notification from Discord to change my password. I use Discord to text with friends, video chat, and play games.
1:00 PM- I wrote a grocery list in my Notes app on my iPhone. My boyfriend and I were going to pick up some food for dinner. While I need a password to access my iPhone, I do not need a password to access the Notes application on my phone.
1:50 PM- I checked Snapchat on my iPhone and texted my friends in the group chat that we created yesterday. You can check who is in a group chat by pressing and holding the group name. Snaps are encrypted; however, text messages and chats are not encrypted. Snapchat lets you control who can see your stories. Snapchat deletes chats after 24 hours.
3:00 PM- I looked up a recipe on my iPhone to make “smash burgers” and “mini potatoes” for dinner for my boyfriend and me.
4:00 PM- I watched makeup videos on TikTok on my iPhone while my boyfriend took a nap.
I have not changed my password on TikTok since December 2022. TikTok recommends changing your password every 30 days. TikTok also offers 2 step verification. This adds another layer of security.
6:00 PM- I added to my media diet journal in my notes app on my iPhone.
6:30 PM- I played Minecraft on my Lenovo yoga laptop for 30 minutes with my boyfriend. Minecraft is accessed through Microsoft. Both Minecraft and Microsoft require passwords. The passwords should be different from each other. In addition, my laptop has a unique password.
7:00 PM- I checked my Instagram feed on my iPhone and saw a lot of cute jellycats, which are stuffed animals from London. The pink bunny is my favorite! I have not changed my password to Instagram since June 2024.
7:05 PM- I watched Netflix on my laptop. I watched 4 episodes of “Thirteen Reasons Why.”
I have not changed to Netflix password since I downloaded Netflix to my Lenovo Yoga laptop. Since my laptop is one month old, this does not appear to be a security issue. I used Netflix on my old laptop; however, I had a different password. Netflix will contact users when their password is not secure or if it is very common.
7:34pm- I watched some more tiktoks on my iPhone.
8:00 PM- I turned on my playlist on Spotify to listen to music on my iPhone while I took a shower
8:45 PM- I set an alarm for 8 AM the next morning on my iPhone. A reminder that I need to change my iPhone password more regularly, probably two or three times a year. By changing your password, it is more difficult for hackers to access your information.
9:00 PM- I played Minecraft on my Lenovo yoga laptop. Minecraft is owned by Microsoft. To access Minecraft, you must first have a Microsoft account. Both Microsoft and Minecraft require passwords.
10:00 PM- I turned on my playlist on Spotify on my iPhone while I was relaxing in the hot tub. My Spotify password was changed in June 2024. I will set a reminder to change my password in December 2024, unless I receive notification from Spotify that the system was compromised.
11:00 PM- I checked that my alarm was set for 10:00 AM the next morning on my iPhone then I went to sleep.
In summary, I reviewed some statistics concerning how often people change passwords. It is recommended that users change passwords on a regular basis, at least once a year. Some websites and applications recommend that passwords be changed more frequently. According to LinkedIn, as many as 65% of respondents only changed their password when prompted. A study by Eco, Association of the Internet Industry found that 38% of respondents changed their password less than once per year.
To prevent hacking and to secure personal data, passwords need to be updated on a regular basis. Passwords should not include personal names, birthdays, pet names, etc. Passwords should be unique. The same password should not be used on multiple sites.
Before using any site, the company requires the user to agree to certain requirements. If the user does not agree, then the user cannot access the site. I do not believe that many people understand what privacy issues they agree to. Any data or information that we share can be sold to brokers and used to promote product. The data buyers may use the information to promote products. I do not recall any recent target marketing.