Now, let’s practice with a Point of View lesson.

You will hear the same story twice: first Nina in the past, then Nina speaking as “I” in the present. Listen and notice how the language changes.

POINT OF VIEW 1 — NINA IN THE PAST

One morning, Nina received a notice from a store where she had an account.

The notice said that the store had experienced a data breach. Some customer passwords may have been exposed.

Nina wondered if the notice was a scam. She did not know whether it was real, so she went to the store’s normal website.

She saw the same notice there. This helped Nina verify that the notice was legitimate.

Her store password may have been compromised. That was serious, but Nina soon realized there was a bigger problem.

She had used that same password for her store account, her email, and several other accounts. She had chosen to reuse a password because it was easier to remember.

One password was like one key that opened every door.

Later that day, Nina received an unexpected sign-in alert for her email. She had not signed in from a new device.

The alert looked suspicious. It was a red flag, although it did not prove that someone had entered all her accounts.

Nina decided not to wait for more problems. She changed every password that she had used more than once. Then she created a unique password for each account.

That solved one problem and created another: how could she remember all those passwords?

Nina decided that her brain already had enough work. She started using a password manager, and the manager did the remembering for her.

She also added two-factor authentication where it was available. A password alone was no longer enough to sign in to those accounts.

Nina still did not know whether anyone had entered her other accounts. But she had removed the old key that opened every door. She felt calmer because each account now had its own password.

POINT OF VIEW 2 — “I” IN THE PRESENT

This morning, I receive a notice from a store where I have an account.

The notice says that the store has experienced a data breach. Some customer passwords may have been exposed.

I wonder if the notice is a scam. I do not know whether it is real, so I go to the store’s normal website.

I see the same notice there. This helps me verify that the notice is legitimate.

My store password may be compromised. That is serious, but then I realize there is a bigger problem.

I have used that same password for my store account, my email, and several other accounts. I reuse a password because it is easier to remember.

Now one password is like one key that opens every door.

Later that day, I receive an unexpected sign-in alert for my email. I have not signed in from a new device.

The alert looks suspicious. It is a red flag, although it does not prove that someone has entered all my accounts.

I decide not to wait for more problems. I change every password that I have used more than once. Then I create a unique password for each account.

That solves one problem and creates another: how am I going to remember all these passwords?

My brain already has enough work. I start using a password manager, and the manager does the remembering for me.

I also add two-factor authentication where it is available. A password alone is no longer enough to sign in to these accounts.

I still do not know whether anyone has entered my other accounts. But the old key no longer opens every door. I feel calmer because each account now has its own password.