Loading…

Forget what they say about never writing passwords down | Cybersecurity Tips - Opinions Matter

Forget what they say about never writing passwords down

I keep a small paper list of my main passwords in a locked drawer at home. It's safer than forgetting them and resetting via email, which can be hacked.

4 comments

4 Comments

bennett.henry7mo ago

Totally get this. My grandma actually taught me her system of keeping a little address book for logins. Way better than using the same password everywhere or getting locked out. I have a notebook for my bank stuff and main email. Physical stuff feels safer sometimes, you know? Like if my house gets robbed they're probably not looking for a sticky note in the junk drawer.

coray707mo ago

Actually, Robin Lee's candle story makes me think of a bigger problem... normal home accidents. I work in houses all the time and see people's hiding spots get wrecked by sheer bad luck. We painted a kitchen once and the homeowner had passwords taped inside a cabinet door. They totally forgot to tell us. Another time, a cleaning crew threw out a whole stack of important papers tucked in a magazine rack. If you rely on a physical spot, you're betting against leaks, fires, kids drawing on stuff, or just plain forgetting where you put it after a few years.

tyler_wilson7mo ago

My uncle has a fake book on his shelf that's actually a box for his password notebook. He says it's the best way because hackers can't touch it. Even if someone breaks in, they'd never think to check there. I started doing something similar with a recipe card file. It feels more controlled than trusting some app. Plus, you always have access without needing internet or a device.

robin_lee7mo ago

Okay, but @tyler_wilson, what if the burglar is a big reader? They might grab that fake book hoping for a good story and find your passwords instead. I hid mine in an old cookie jar once, until my mom decided to clean and almost threw it out. My friend used a hollowed-out candle, but it melted in the sun. Physical stuff can backfire if you forget where you put it or someone else stumbles on it. It's like playing hide and seek with your own secrets.