New Smartphone, Growing Pain Questions

[easysurfer]

Okay, I finally went to the [-]dark [/-] other side and got a smartphone. My initial goal is to get that to work like, well, a phone. But do have some other hopefully not too newbie questions.

So, for browsing websites that require id and passwords (like this site), what do you do? Do you somehow have passwords synced from computer and phone? Or do you have to enter the id/password individually onto the phone? Or use a password manager app on the phone?

I'm just trying to get a feel to see what to expect .

Oh, my phone is using Android OS.

Thanks.

 

[mpeirce]

So, for browsing websites that require id and passwords (like this site), what do you do? Do you somehow have passwords synced from computer and phone? Or do you have to enter the id/password individually onto the phone? Or use a password manager app on the phone?

If it's an iPhone, enable iCloud and Keychain syncing and it'll just work. This will securely share all your accounts/passwords on your Mac with your iPhone and vice versa.

If you don't have an iPhone and a Mac, well, can't help you...

 

[mpeirce]

Oh, my phone is using Android OS.

Opps, never mind...

 

[travelover]

If you haven't tried searching YouTube, I'd recommend it. Lots of short little how to videos for specific phones and tasks. Also similar info with a Google search. As a last resort, read the manual.

 

[zinger1457]

LastPass will sync between your computer and phone but they do charge extra to sync to different devices.

 

[easysurfer]

Thanks. I'll prob looking into a password manager app or maybe not make the password so complex that only a computer can understand .

 

[travelover]

Thanks. I'll prob looking into a password manager app or maybe not make the password so complex that only a computer can understand .

Once you use an app, the password stays in the smartphone, so you don't need to constantly input the password.

 

[easysurfer]

Once you use an app, the password stays in the smartphone, so you don't need to constantly input the password.

Yes, that's what I was thinking (once I figure how to install an app ). Using a password manager similar to on a PC. I won't try and duplicate access to all the sites I have for the pc (probably over 100) but just ones I'd frequently visit or really need on the road.

 

[travelover]

Yes, that's what I was thinking (once I figure how to install an app ). Using a password manager similar to on a PC. I won't try and duplicate access to all the sites I have for the pc (probably over 100) but just ones I'd frequently visit or really need on the road.

If you were happy with a flip phone, you don't need to use any more capability of the smartphone than the calling function.

Ease into it.

 

[target2019]

Okay, I finally went to the [-]dark [/-] other side and got a smartphone. My initial goal is to get that to work like, well, a phone. But do have some other hopefully not too newbie questions.

So, for browsing websites that require id and passwords (like this site), what do you do? Do you somehow have passwords synced from computer and phone? Or do you have to enter the id/password individually onto the phone? Or use a password manager app on the phone?

I'm just trying to get a feel to see what to expect .

Oh, my phone is using Android OS.

Thanks.

For this site you want to use an android app, type in login and password, and play.

I'm very cautious about what is stored on phone. For example, I use bank app to scan and deposit checks. But I always reenter login details and don't store on device.

 

[RunningBum]

Right, I don't generally store passwords on my phone. The phone is too easy to lose, so if someone else finds it and starts poking around they can get into my accounts. But I also do have a pin lock on my phone after 30 minutes so hopefully that keeps them out.

If I did lose my phone my first action would be to get to my computer and change my email password, and probably any other financial or personal password.

 

[Sunset]

Be sure to put a password/pin on the phone, so when you turn it on, it requires correct entry to use.
Note that even with a password/pin set, you can still immediately answer a phone call,or call 911.
The password/pin login only affects using the phone for other stuff (apps, or phone calls out)

 

[easysurfer]

For this site you want to use an android app, type in login and password, and play.

I'm very cautious about what is stored on phone. For example, I use bank app to scan and deposit checks. But I always reenter login details and don't store on device.

Yes, as smart phones are essentially, hand held computers. The method of always reentering login details begs the question though, to use a recommended long length, complex password or a human friendly one as the latter contains risks too.

 

[mpeirce]

Yes, as smart phones are essentially, hand held computers. The method of always reentering login details begs the question though, to use a recommended long length, complex password or a human friendly one as the latter contains risks too.

Many newer phones make use of biometrics - fingerprints.

 

[easysurfer]

Many newer phones make use of biometrics - fingerprints.

Thanks. That sounds like a very nice feature.

 

[Options]

I access almost no sites on my android requiring a login/PW (Uber is one exception that comes to mind). I personally would never access any sites containing personal financial information, and I would never consider placing my password manager on my phone. I've gone to some pretty elaborate lengths (IMHO) to safeguard such information and want it in as few locations as possible. Some use a dedicated computer for accessing personal financial sites, although I have yet to go that far.

 

[Alan]

Many newer phones make use of biometrics - fingerprints.

Thanks. That sounds like a very nice feature.

I love the fingerprint feature and always click the screen off when I finish using it, don't wait for any timeout. I have a long password to unlock the phone but the fingerprint means I rarely need it.

 

[easysurfer]

I access almost no sites on my android requiring a login/PW (Uber is one exception that comes to mind). I personally would never access any sites containing personal financial information, and I would never consider placing my password manager on my phone. I've gone to some pretty elaborate lengths (IMHO) to safeguard such information and want it in as few locations as possible. Some use a dedicated computer for accessing personal financial sites, although I have yet to go that far.

That's very interesting and surprising for me to read. Not that I don't doubt this and better safe than sorry. But I've heard folks say all the time that they rarely use a computer anymore as they use their phones so much. Maybe they do the cloud and automatically synced thing. i was getting flustered just sending a two sentence email on my phone as a test which took me about 30 minutes (note, smartphone newbie ).

 

[Options]

Nope. I have no faith in the security of the cloud either (too many breaches). I store no sensitive documents there (plenty of debates regarding that, however). I would never personally use cloud storage for either tax returns or a password manager, either.

My brother has specialized in many aspects of the cloud (including security) in the tech industry since its inception and has advised it is not at all as secure as the public has been led to believe.

 

[RunningBum]

Look at using swype for typing. It's a lot quicker than hunt and peck, and I'm pretty amazed at how often it is either correct or gives me the desired word as an alternate choice. On my droid phone it's an option setting under My Devices, then Language and Input. Settings get moved around release to release so it could be elsewhere for you.

 

[Mulligan]

Why did you go to the darkside easysurfer and leave us? There are such few of us left now I am afraid we are going to be pictured and put in the same books with passenger pigeons and Dodo birds. I just got chewed out again today from my GF because I do not own one yet.

Edit....REWahoo... I don't know where your post went but you exposed me as a poor speller. I changed it after looking.


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[misanman]

Look at using swype for typing. It's a lot quicker than hunt and peck, and I'm pretty amazed at how often it is either correct or gives me the desired word as an alternate choice. On my droid phone it's an option setting under My Devices, then Language and Input. Settings get moved around release to release so it could be elsewhere for you.

+1

 

[Lsbcal]

Thanks. I'll prob looking into a password manager app or maybe not make the password so complex that only a computer can understand .

After I bought my Nexus 6P, I realized how useful the fingerprint reader is. With Lastpass which recognizes fingerprints to login, you can store strong passwords. Even to get into Lastpass just use the fingerprint reader. Lastpass is $12/year for mobile use if you want syncing. Also you can store notes in Lastpass.

The alternate I use if fingerprint is not working for the phone login is the pattern. There are best practices in setting up a pattern (connecting the dots). Don't start a pattern at the edge dots and use maybe 6 dots for your pattern. Do a search and this info will probably come up.

Sometimes fingerprint reading fails if for instance, you have just washed your hands

 

[easysurfer]

Why did you go to the darkside easysurfer and leave us? There are such few of us left now I am afraid we are going to be pictured and put in the same books with passenger pigeons and Dodo birds. I just got chewed out again today from my GF because I do not own one yet.

Edit....REWahoo... I don't know where your post went but you exposed me as a poor speller. I changed it after looking.


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I really tried to not cross over to the darkside. Even to the point of first buying a SIMM card and use on my old flip phone. But that didn't work. Then I went to the store and either had a choice between a very functional but clunky looking flip phone or a sleek svelte lookng smartphone signaling, for a $40 more, have my fun the way I want. I got seduced and gave into temptation. The only bright side is if things don't work out, I could beg forgiveness and switch back to the loyal and reliable.

 

[Mulligan]

I really tried to not cross over to the darkside. Even to the point of first buying a SIMM card and use on my old flip phone. But that didn't work. Then I went to the store and either had a choice between a very functional but clunky looking flip phone or a sleek svelte lookng smartphone signaling, for a $40 more, have my fun the way I want. I got seduced and gave into temptation. The only bright side is if things don't work out, I could beg forgiveness and switch back to the loyal and reliable.

You are doing the right thing.... Pricing of plans and even certain phone models make financial reasons for not a moot point. The reason I don't is I cant see fine print without my readers. And I never have them with me outside the house. But I got my little keyboard letters memorized on dumb phone so I stick with it. You will do well!


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