Her computer was giving her problems.
Searches on the internet were coming up with strange results. She had tried to fix it herself, but this hadn’t helped. Then, asking questions on the internet, she was given a great number of solutions, many by users with the same problem. Regardless of this, nothing worked. As time went by and the problem grew worse by the day, she considered simply buying a new one. That, she figured, would be the simple answer. It wasn’t as though she couldn’t afford it. Only one other avenue was open to her, although she didn’t like to dwell on the idea. She could contact her internet provider.
She had never actually done this before and was extremely reluctant to do it now. The idea of somebody poking about in your computer while you sit and watch had never been something she felt she could tolerate.
Eventually, she decided to contact the provider as a final attempt to put the computer right.
She is speaking to a woman who seems keen to fix things for her.
The woman is saying, “OK. I’m pretty sure I can fix this for you.”
“That would be good.”
“I just need your password.”
“Pardon?”
“Your password; I need it.”
“But… you don’t give out your password. I mean, you just never divulge it, do you?”
“Well, in this case, yes.”
“Are you sure.”
Silence for a few beats. “I am sure, yes. I need to use it to gain access to your computer’s connection to the internet.”
“I’m sure what you are saying makes sense, but I thought it was a given that computer users should never share their password with anyone.”
“Generally, that is true, yes, but not in this case.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, yes.”
“It’s a matter of trust, I suppose.”
A sigh, followed by, “If you like, yes.”
“Can I trust you?”
A groan, then, “Look madam…”
Click!