this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Asklemmy

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How much control/access does my instance owner haver over my account? (lemy.lol)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by AchillesUltimate@lemy.lol to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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I noticed that there were some accounts that were hijacked by the instance owners. All the posts from that user were then edited to say what happened.

This kind of surprised me, I figured instances could delete posts, but not edit them. So how much control do they have?

I assume they can't see my password (hopefully). Can they post in my name? Do they have all the access to my posts to foreign instances that they do over local posts?

Edit: thanks for all the responses everyone! I've wanted my own instance for a while, but maybe I'll get on it now

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[โ€“] static09@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's important to note that your password has to be stored someway, no matter what, no matter where. How it's stored can be varied, from hashed (think encrypted) to cleartext. I'm assuming lemmy is using hashed passwords, so if you're concerned about your password being available to an instance owner, admin, or potential attackers, then you'll need to follow safe password guidelines. Changing the concept from passwords to passphrases is a great start.

Always keep in mind, if the data isn't stored on your device, you do not technically own that data. You have to trust the owners to be good data custodians and treat the data you give them as if it were their own private data.

I'll leave this now internet-ancient sacred image for future passphrase converts.

[โ€“] sxan@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Just to be clear, you're talking about Lemmy. There are authentication mechanisms in which the instance never has access to your password, in any form.

I wish I could upvote your comment multiple times for the XKCD comic on this. And to anyone curious, there are many tools which will generate XKCD passwords for you. One's called "correcthorse", and there's another called "correctpony". A github search for "xkcd password" should turn up several.

[โ€“] karlthemailman@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Why can't the admin just change the Lemmy source code to not hash anymore?