ddhr.org
Login frequency (2) Thursday, Nov 2, 2006 11:17 am

I don't like using websites that require me to login each time I use them.  Digg, MySpace, and PayPerPost are just a few examples.  In order to access more content or to be able to use advanced features, I'm forced to login either every day or every new browser session.  And what I don't understand is why this happens for reasons other than financial or personal security.  I can understand when my bank makes me login every time.  I can understand why Amazon won't let me buy things until I login.  But MySpace?  What exactly is the MySpace login process protecting me from?  [Answer:  MySpace (heh)]  This is particularly annoying because I know how to fix it (I'm sure it's not a "bug", but rather a "feature"):  Cookies.  It's incredibly easy to make a browser accept a cookie that doesn't expire until 2085.  For all intents and purposes (or intensive purposes; pick your poison), that'll keep you logged in forever.  Gmail and Bloglines seem to have this figured out.  I haven't logged into Bloglines since sometime around last fall.  Gmail asks me to re-login every two weeks or so.  I'm ok with that.  It keeps me honest.  On the other hand, Yahoo makes it seem like I'm logged in.  I can access information and use advanced features.  But when I submit my changes or updates, it says, "Hmm, you don't seem to be logged in.  Please login for security purposes."  If I'm not logged in, I shouldn't be treated like I am.  That's just stupid.  One less point for Yahoo

internetexplorer Friday, Dec 28, 2007 12:30 pm

Either my browser or one of its add-ons takes care of the nitty-gritty of logging on, all I have to do is click my mouse a couple of times and I'm good to go.  No, I don't use one of the separate password manager type programs, just the functionality aleady built in.  This seems to work for a wide variety of sites and takes place without my asking for it to.  The very first time I go to a site that uses such, it simply asks me if I want it to remember it all.

Dave Friday, Dec 28, 2007 12:40 pm

Yeah I started using Firefox's password-remembering abilities a few months ago, and it's good for that kind of thing.  But the problem is, logging in disrupts the flow of using a website.  If I'm using a website, searching for things, and accessing that website's information, and then I'm required to login to continue, it's a problem.  That's not security.  Security would be requiring me to login before I start using the site.  That was my point.

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Hi, my name is Dave Hosier, and this website is where I write my unfounded opinions on trivial matters. Feel free to look around, but please refrain from reading anything.

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