Why It’s Dangerous to Keep Passwords in a Notepad

It’s never safe to physically write and keep your passwords in a notepad because it makes them susceptible to getting lost, damaged or stolen, compromising your online accounts. Similarly, you should never store passwords in a digital notepad. A digital notepad can be your iPhone’s built-in app, Notes, or a note-taking app like Evernote or OneNote. Storing your passwords in a physical or digital notepad presents different security risks but it ultimately comes down to lack of encryption. 

Let’s explore the risks linked to managing passwords in a physical notepad or digital notepad and how you should manage your passwords instead.

Risks of handwriting passwords in a notepad

Using a notepad to write down passwords seems convenient, but there are several security risks. Here are some of those risks.

The notepad can get lost or stolen

It’s a scary thought, but what would happen if your notepad got lost, or even worse, stolen? Misplacing the notepad means you would lose access to all your passwords. If the notepad gets stolen, threat actors could gain unauthorized access to your accounts leading to serious consequences like account takeover attacks.

Notepads can get damaged

Notepads wear out over time, ink fades, and paper rips, making your passwords impossible to read. Accidents like water damage can ruin the notepad, causing you to lose important login details instantly. It’s almost impossible to recover paper-based records once they’re damaged.

You won’t be able to access your notepad from anywhere

To access the passwords in your notepad, you’ll need to always have the notepad with you. For example, if you’re away from home or on vacation, the only way to log in to your accounts is to have the physical notepad. Forgetting to pack the notepad would mean you won’t be able to log into your accounts. If an emergency requires you to log into an account, the inability to log in would be inconvenient and dangerous depending on your emergency. 

Risks of storing passwords in notepad apps

You might think storing passwords in your phone’s built-in note application is safer than using a notepad, but it’s not – here’s why.

Unencrypted data

Your phone’s memo app doesn’t encrypt data. This means that if your phone gets lost or stolen, your passwords and sensitive info stored in the memo app could be easily accessed by others. Unencrypted info is also at risk of being snooped on or leaked.

Risk of malware

Smartphones are prime targets for malware like spyware. This sneaky software can get onto your devices and start taking your info without you even knowing. This means your passwords and private details in memo apps could be swiped by malware, leading to your personal info being leaked.

The safest way to store your passwords is with a password manager

A password manager is designed to help you create, store, manage and share passwords securely. It comes with various useful features and benefits, such as:

• Protecting your passwords with strong encryption
• Automatically generating strong passwords
• Autofilling online account credentials
• Offering access to passwords across multiple devices
• Remembering one master password to access all stored passwords
• Sharing passwords securely with others
• Conducting security audits to ensure passwords are unique and strong

One of the main reasons people use notepads to store passwords is because they need help remembering their passwords. The nice thing about password managers is you only have to remember a single password known as your master password. Once your master password is entered, you can access all the data stored in your password vault. 

What to consider when selecting a reliable password manager

A password manager plays a crucial role in online security, making it important to select the right password manager. When choosing a password manager, look out for some of these features to know you’ve selected the right one.

Zero-knowledge encryption

Zero-knowledge encryption is a security model that makes data breaches irrelevant by using encryption and data segregation. A zero-knowledge password manager provider cannot view user data. This means your credentials aren’t at risk of being compromised if the password manager provider is hacked. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security process where users prove their identity through two or more authentication methods. By combining multiple authentication methods such as codes sent via SMS, authentication app tokens or facial recognition, account security can be significantly strengthened. Choosing a password manager that supports MFA in the login process is crucial in protecting accounts from unauthorized access.

Cross-compatibility with devices and software

When choosing a password manager, you should verify that it’s compatible with all your devices, Operating Systems (OS) and browsers. Choosing a password manager compatible with multiple platforms guarantees effortless functionality across various devices and browsers, allowing you to manage passwords securely from anywhere.

Automation

Password managers should automatically handle functions like storing passwords, generating new ones and autofilling them. Browser extensions, in particular, should seamlessly automate the login process, making it quick and easy to log in to websites.

Password generators

The password manager you choose should also come with a built-in password generator, allowing you to create strong, unique and complex passwords for every account. This feature allows users to easily create strong passwords without needing to remember them, thus improving the security of their accounts.

Rely on Keeper® for your password management requirements

Saving passwords in a notepad, whether it’s digital or physical, exposes you to numerous cyber threats. However, password management solutions like Keeper are designed to mitigate these risks. Using Keeper doesn’t just protect you from online threats and attacks, but it also makes managing passwords easier. 

Want to see how a password manager can benefit you? Start a free 30-day trial today.