Seeing hidden passwords in a browser easier than you think

[TexasTowelie]

Passwords are a royal pain in our digital lives. If you create one that’s simple, it isn’t safe. If you create one that’s safe, you’ll never remember it.

On top of that, you really need to have a unique password for every account and Web site in case a hacker gets hold of one of them. With regular data breaches of millions of usernames and passwords happening at major companies like Target and Michaels, it’s a very real worry.

That’s why it’s such a relief your Web browser stores passwords for you. You can create the hardest passwords around and not have to remember any of them. Even better, your browser will fill in passwords automatically for you.

Unfortunately, there is a catch that no one likes to talk about. If I got on your computer right now, I bet I could see every one of your super-secret hard-to-guess passwords in no time flat.

More at http://www.freep.com/article/20140523/FEATURES01/305230072/Seeing-hidden-passwords-in-a-browser-is-too-easy .

[hobbit709]

1. First you have to get on my computer.

To do that you'd have to get past 250 pounds of teeth and fur.

[PADemD]

2. When I opened your link, my anti virus alerted that a "threat has been detected"

[TexasTowelie]

3. That is odd.

I didn't get any message. Thanks for the warning--this is the Detroit Free Press (a Gannett company) website so that is a bit of a surprise.

[PADemD]

4. I use Avast, which is updated daily.