How secure is your password? You need to know. The best practice is to have different passwords for every website you visit and change them frequently.

LastPass is a program I use to keep, protect and enter my passwords. If you’re like many people, you’re worried you won’t be able to remember all your passwords (you’re always warned to NOT write them down). If you enter the wrong password too many times, many websites will lock you out until you spend four hours on the phone with the “tech support” staff giving them everything, including your blood type, to get a temporary password to get back into your account.

OK, I admit, I use one password for everything and change it about every 90 days. How do you choose and more importantly test a password? There’s actually a website for that. Go to www.grc.com/haystack.htm. I tested mine. Here is the amount of time the website estimates it would take to “crack” my password:

Online Attack Scenario (assuming 1,000 guesses per second): 1.83 billion centuries. Offline Fast Attack Scenario (assuming 100 billion guesses per second): 18.23 centuries. Massive Cracking Array Scenario (assuming 1 trillion guesses per second): 1.83 years!

After testing my current password, I’m not too concerned that someone might try to hack my FaceBook account! Try the website, see how secure your password is.

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH: I believe in not ingesting bad and dangerous chemicals (with the exception of an occasional dram or two of fine single malt 25-year-old Macallan). Imagine my shock and surprise when I found out that many toothpaste brands contain a chemical called triclosan.

In December 2017, the FDA issued a final rule regarding certain OTC health-care antiseptic products. As a result, companies will not be able to use triclosan or 23 other active ingredients in these products without premarket review due to insufficient data regarding their safety and effectiveness.

Triclosan is also often added to certain clothes, cookware, furniture and toys to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination, but these products aren’t regulated by the FDA. The ruling follows recent studies that have raised questions about whether triclosan is hazardous to human health. Research has shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation in animals, might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs, and might be harmful to the immune system. After reading this I think I’m going back to what my great aunt Adelaide taught me 65 years ago: Use baking soda!

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POST FALLS SNOW BERM CLEARING: I’ve been contacted by a number of readers living in Post Falls. It seems the snowplows are stacking up snow berms in people’s driveways that won’t melt until the Fourth of July. I contacted the city and was referred to their website.

Here’s the official City of Post Falls policy on their snow plows leaving berms in citizens driveways:

“Plow operators cannot avoid filling driveway entrances during plow operations. Senior citizens and those with chronic medical conditions that prevent them from doing their own snow removal shoveling may contact the City of Post Falls Street Department for Information on available assistance. No attempt can be made to prevent snow berms from forming at driveways. Drivers will utilize common sense and good judgment when plowing residential areas; plow speeds will be adjusted so as not to create greater berms than are necessary; speeds adjusted to fit conditions. Likewise, good judgment shall be utilized when plowing along curbs with sidewalks directly abutting.”

I called Post Falls and spoke to a person in-the-know in the street department. It turns out that Post Falls has a program so that homeowners can have their driveway marked for the city’s “Berm Reduction Program.” Here’s the catch — you can only apply for the program between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 each year. After the first of the year the city does not take applications.

When the plow trucks see the city installed markers at the end of your driveway, the drivers turn the plow blade to minimize any snow berm. Some cities have “gates” on their plows. Post Falls does not. Apparently, the gates are expensive and not compatible with the equipment currently used by Post Falls. Bottom Line: Citizens need to let their elected representatives know which services they want, realizing the more we want, the more it costs.

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HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW: Recently, a consumer called me to complain about how much a veterinarian estimated a charge for surgery for her dog would be — around $1,500. After a little research, I found that the going rate for that surgery around the country is upwards of $3,500.

I found that charges in our area vary wildly. Veterinarians are highly trained specialists. Regular medical doctors often have a challenging time diagnosing ailments and maladies that our fellow humans show up complaining about. And remember, medical doctors treat only one species. Veterinarians treat a number of different species, none of whom can tell the animal doctor when it hurts or what object they swallowed. Every veterinarian I know is in the business because they love animals.

MY ADVICE: Find a good vet and clinic BEFORE you have an emergency situation. Always think twice, or thrice, before bringing home that puppy or kitty. As far as I’m concerned, deciding to have a pet is a commitment for the natural life of the animal. Pets can’t speak for themselves, and are NOT disposable. By the way, my advice for bringing children into the world is about the same. They’re not cheap but they’re worth every penny.

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ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: An increasing number of readers are calling me BEFORE they respond to the zillion calls and offers we are bombarded with on an ongoing basis. I’d much rather help someone avoid making a mistake than trying to fix one.

MY ADVICE: Call me. It only takes a minute and could avoid a lot of grief and hand wringing. My number is (208) 699-0506. Thanks to the Coeur d’Alene Press for making this column and my service available.

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REMEMBER BILL BROOKS: “He’s On Your Side”

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I have many more tips and interesting cases that I’m working on. Call me at (208) 699-0506, or email me at BillBrooksAdvocate@gmail.com or fax me at (866) 362-9266. You can follow me at www.billbrooksconsumeradvocate.com. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups. Bill Brooks is a consumer advocate and the Broker and Owner of Bill Brooks Real Estate in Coeur d’Alene.