Ask Leo! #485 – Windows 8 a disaster? Signing in to it automatically anyway. Dial-up downloads, Microsoft accounts and more…

I have a dedicated XP machine only because I have two old but very useful items of software where the graphics refuse to run under any manifestation of XP within Win7. The latest versions of these are very expensive and changed so radically that I'd have to start again from square one rebuilding ten years of work. If I can isolate this pc from the internet but keep it connected to my home lan I'm assuming I'll be safe from malware.

It's a dangerous assumption to make in an absolute sense. Malware can and has been known to "jump machines" - much like it can travel on USB drives. I'm not saying that yours is a bad option - it may be the only option - I'm simply pointing out that "assuming I'll be safe from malware" isn't really a good assumption.

I couldn't upgrade my perfectly-good-but-old laptop 1GB laptop to Windows 8. I installed LinuxMint instead and it works great. Does everything I need it to do. Has an app store for easy software downloads. I experienced no driver issues at all. Linux has come a long, long way since you bought that XP computer. If you want to extend its life and enjoy a safe, secure, modern OS, I highly recommend checking out the free LinuxMint OS.

I've been using the same passwords for over 30 years. I used it when I was working on mainframes and now use it on PCs. These days, I have 3 variations of it as well as 3 variations of another one I have used many years. Unless I get locked out for too many tries, I can usually eventually get on.

Now, sites are getting more difficult, like having to use at least 8 characters, with at least 1 capital letter, at least 1 number and then at least 1 special character. Sometimes they will have an image and then on top of that some start asking stupid security questions The questions you can choose from are moronic.

Many of them are useless to many people. Like what was your 1st pet's name. Who the heck remembers that and what if they never had a pet, then that question is out. Then there's family questions. Many people don't have family or very l;little of them. Cross out those questions.

Your favorite car, what did you want to be, etc. I think they get morons to dream up those questions. I can throw out about 80% of them cause I can't remember or they don't pertain to me. And it's usually a site like my TV Listings or some blog that makes passwords the most difficult. I wish some of these jerks would use their noggin once in a while. Thanks for letting me vent.

The solution to your frustration is simple. Make up answers - in fact treat them like passwords. Your favorite pet? Pencil. Or FTSC8w10GI3x. It doesn't have to be a pet. All that matters is that you answer it, and that you can provide the same answer in the future. Using fake answers is highly recommended additional level of security.

Complex passwords - with numbers and special characters - those I agree with when passwords are short. Too many people select simple passwords that are easily cracked. This enforces at least a little bit of randomness. What I wish is that a) all sites were consistent, b) all sites allowed spaces, and c) all sites allowed passwords of up to 256 charaters or so. That way you could choose a lengthy pass phrase with no special characters that was every bit as secure and possibly easier to remember.