Spaces instead of asterisks in my passwords!

[Malnoueans]

I am having problems logging into several of my internet accounts as when I enter the password, instead of getting a neat little row of asterisks like I did until a day or two ago - one for each letter or number - my machine is now entering a space per entered character instead. It is therefore impossible to tell how many characters the machine has accepted - and I have got it wrong on two different bank accounts already resulting in me being 'frozen out' and having to call up for a password reset! Remember having this problem before but haven't a clue how we put it right. Can anybody help? It's driving me potty and costing me a fortune in 'phone calls to call centres!

[Cat]

I assume you're using Windows?  It might help if you could tell us if you are using Internet Explorer 7, an earlier version, or a different browser?

[Albert the InfoGipsy]

As a temporary fix you could type your password into Notepad and then copy (<ctrl> + C) and paste (ctrl> + V) it into your browser.

Notepad is usually in Accessories in the programs bit of your start menu.

If you aren't using Windows there are equivalents in Linux and Mac OS-X.

[Malnoueans]

Yes we are on Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7. We have Norton 360 as the virus protection and I do suspect that something in the daily 'mise a jour' has something somewhere..  I am sure the problem lies somewhere in one of the Internet settings, I just can't find where it is though.

Albert the InfoGipsy : Good idea to do a copy/paste on the passwords as a short term fix, I shall do that to save me tearing my hair out.