Most seniors use the internet to stay connected with friends and family, or to look up information on thing like recipes, travel destinations, or information about health questions. While being online is a great way to stay connected, it can also be a risk if your personal information falls into the wrong hands. A solution to this problem is to use a password book.
Password notebooks are a great way to keep your personal information safe, while still being able to access login info for online accounts when you need it.
Here are the top 7 benefits of using a password book for seniors:
1) Password books are easy and convenient to use.
2) They protect your personal information from being stolen online.
3) You can access the information whenever you need it.
4) They are affordable and easy to locate when you need to look up a password.
5) An internet logbook can help organize passwords and login information in one place.
6) Passwords recorded in these books can be used as a reference guide when creating new passwords.
7) They can also help prevent online fraud and they act as a backup in case of computer crashes or forgotten passwords.
8) They can help you maintain organization by keeping all your different passwords sorted and stored in one place.
Okay, so this type of book has a lot of great features. But, are there drawbacks to using one? Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of a password journal, along with what to look for in a password book. We’ll also talk about ways to use one safely and securely.
What Is A Password Book And How Do They Work?
A password book is a physical record keeper of your login information. Typically, it’s a small notebook or journal with alphabetized tabs and pages to write down website addresses, usernames, and passwords.
Some password books also have space to jot down additional notes, like customer service contact information or recovery questions.
You can find password books made out of faux leather, hardcover notebooks, or even bullet journals specifically designed for this purpose. They all work in basically the same way: you write down your website info and passwords as you create them.
Then, when it comes time to log in, you flip open the appropriate tab, find the site you need, and voilà—you ’re in.
Lots of people stick to writing their login information of one piece of paper or on little bits of paper when they create a new account.
That’s a bad idea, because if they aren’t organized or you have little scraps of paper floating around, it’s an easy way to lose your login details (not to mention the security risks!).
When it comes to senior citizens and internet safety, password books can be the right choice for keeping track of login information while also keeping it safe from prying eyes. Password books can act as a physical barrier between would-be thieves and your most sensitive information.
What Are The Benefits Of A Password Book For Seniors?
There are a few benefits that password books offer seniors that other password management methods don’t:
- They’re physical and tangible. If you misplace a password book, it’s much easier to find than a digital file or app.
- They don’t require batteries or electricity. If the power goes out or your computer crashes, you can still access your passwords with a password book.
- They’re low-tech, which can be helpful if you’re not comfortable using computers or smartphones.
- They offer peace of mind. If you worry about losing important login information, a password book can help put your mind at ease.
- If there was an emergency and you were not at home (maybe in the hospital or on vacation), family members or trusted close friends would have easier access to necessary information if it was in a book than in the data files of a password manager.
- They’re relatively inexpensive. You can find password books for less than $20.
- They make great gifts! If you have a relative or friend who could use some help staying organized, a password book can be a wonderful way to help them out.
Should I Keep My Passwords In A Notebook? Is A Password Book Safe?
Many elderly people find it is a good idea to keep a password log book, especially if they have a lot of different accounts because a password book keeps track of all your passwords in one place.
But is a password book safe? Is it better to keep your passwords in your head or to use a password manager?
It really depends on how you use your password book. If you keep it in a secure place, such as a locked cabinet or in-home safe, then it can be a very secure way to store your passwords. However, if you carry the password book with you, then it may not be as safe.
Here are some things to consider:
– Password books are not as secure as using digital methods. If someone finds your password book, they can access all of your accounts.
– If you carry one around with you, a password book can be lost or stolen more easily than digital files.
– They’re not as convenient as digital methods because you have to carry the book with you if you will be using a computer in another place than your home (for example, if you visit an adult child).
Password manager apps are the best way to record passwords for online security. You only need a master password to access all of the complex passwords you’d ever want to generate.
However, despite being more secure than a book, a digital vault usually has a monthly or yearly cost and the average user may not find them to be cost effective if they don’t have many online accounts.
Despite the drawbacks of physical password books, they offer seniors a simple and effective way to keep track of their login information. And, they’re much less expensive than other password management solutions.
How To Choose A Password Book For Seniors
Now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of password books, how do you choose the right one for you?
Here are a few things for older adults to keep in mind:
- Ease of use. Look for a password book that’s easy to use and understand.
- Portability. Choose a password book that’s small enough to carry with you.
- Durability. Select a password book that’s made from high-quality materials so it will last for years.
- Large print font. Many seniors have a hard time reading teeny tiny font, so look for one that has at least a 14-point font size. The font should also be an easy one to read. Also, don’t choose a “flowery” script. A block-type font will be easier to read.
- Space to make changes to passwords or to record a new one for the same website.
- A – Z tabs. You want a password organizer book that has tabs so the necessary information for your important accounts is recorded in alphabetical order and is super easy to locate.
- Look for one that also has lines for recording security/challenge questions and responses.
How To Use A Password Book Safely
Okay, you’ve decided to use a password book to record your login information, but how do you do it safely?
1) Keep your password book in a safe place where only you know where it is.
2) Do not store your password book near your computer or any other device that contains sensitive information. Instead, keep it in another room entirely (or lock it away in file cabinet or an in-home safe).
3) Change your passwords regularly and update them in your password book as soon as possible.
4) When you create new passwords, make sure they are long (at least eight characters), unique passwords (include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (ie: symbols).
Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. A good password generator makes it easy to get the extra security that strong passwords provide.
5) Never leave your password logbook in a place where someone else could find it. If possible, lock it up in a secure location like a fire-safe or locked drawer in a file cabinet.
6) If you think your password has been compromised, change it immediately and update your password book.
Remember that password books can be an effective way to keep track of login information, but only if they are used correctly. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your passwords are safe and secure.
The Bottom Line
Password books offer seniors an easy and convenient way to keep track of their login information. Using one means you’ll never have to worry about forgetting a password again. And, they’re much less expensive than other password management solutions.
Just be sure to choose one that’s easy to use, portable, and durable and has enough space to record future password changes and also security/challenge questions and their answers.
