The Three Most Important Rules
First: use a different password for every important account — email, banking, and social media. Second: make passwords at least 12 characters long. Third: never share passwords over the phone, text, or email with anyone claiming to be technical support.
Writing Passwords Down Safely
If a password manager feels like too much, writing passwords down in a physical notebook is acceptable — as long as the notebook is stored securely and never photographed or texted. A physical notebook can't be remotely hacked.
Recognizing Phishing Attempts
The most common way seniors lose account access isn't technical hacking — it's phishing. Legitimate banks and services never ask for your password. If a call or email asks for your password, hang up and contact the organization directly.
Getting Help From Family
Involving a trusted family member in your digital security is wise rather than weak. Have them help you set up a simple password manager and establish a protocol for what to do if you suspect your account has been compromised.
Password security for seniors is about a few clear principles, not technical mastery. Different passwords for important accounts, length over cleverness, and vigilance against phone and email scams will protect the vast majority of accounts.