r/Passwords

I want to help my college-aged kids create a long-term system for managing passwords, recovery methods, and important online accounts. I’m interested in both security best practices and real-world experiences from families who have gone through this transition.

Web and AI searches lead me to certain password software that can maintain usernames and passwords to log in automatically, but it seems like they are incomplete if it means having separate security questions. And, if you did use those software apps, it seems like you would still want/need a back-up in case there is some hacking or corruption of their software?

For context, both kids and here at home, we have phones, tablets and computers where these various accounts can be accessed.

At home, we use an old-style address book that we've had for 30+ years to log all our accounts (a few years ago, I counted over 250 entries). This works for us, but I don't think it's safe for a young adult in a dorm or apartment and being on the move to classes, etc.

Speaking more broadly, I wouldn't mind modernizing our username/password records management. I can see a point in 15-20 years where it may be a security risk to have that book if we have some in-house care, etc. So, this question is asked for my kids right now, but also how it can be used for average adults?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I was watching YouTube this morning, when I saw a Google Prompt YouTube Notification pop up that said my Google account had been signed into on a new device (an iPad I was unfamiliar with). Then I got another notification that said a passkey had been created.

I instantly jumped into action, tapped both notifications, but YouTube might’ve glitched, because it did not take me to a new screen after tapping both notifications (since I was already in the app maybe?) then I went to my Google account settings and saw… nothing… That’s right, no new passkeys, no new sign in’s and no evidence of the notifications I just received.

Regardless, I changed my password, I signed out of all devices, downloaded the Authenticator app, setup backup codes, turned on 2 step verification, the whole nine yards.

After doing this, I went back in to see if I could find ANY evidence at all of this sign in and passkey (checked other devices used, history, I only have one passkey that I created) and couldn’t find ANYTHING. Of course, I clicked the notifications expecting to be redirected to a “was this you?” page, but that never happened. I checked my email to see if there was any sign in alerts sent to my recovery email. Nothing.

What the heck happened? Is my account compromised? Any advice for me? Anything is helpful.

We’ve been hearing for years that passwords are dead, yet they remain one of the most important layers of security for both individuals and organizations.

It’s true that passkeys, biometrics, and other authentication methods are gaining traction, but passwords are still the primary way most people secure their accounts.

Do you think passwords will eventually disappear?

Going through my passwords to delete old accounts and found one saved to a weird link I don't ever recall logging in to (the website seems to have been taken over completely by someone else, it talks about complex coding which I never did)

What are my options here? I don't see a way to log in if the old version of whatever the site was no longer exists

is my Facebook gone forever? I tried doing Facebook hack recovery but it’s giving me the error to sign in from a device I used to sign in before. which I only signed in on one device and it’s claiming I never used that device to sign in before? I don’t get how they got through if I had a passkey ? meta ai chat was having technical issues and couldn’t help now its not allowing me to chat with them again? it’s not making any sense at all.

I tried to get into my fiancé‘s phone last night because I have been very suspicious of him and he changed his passcode when I asked him about it he said he had to change it because a a security thing came up on his phone and prompt him to change it. Can this be true??? it’s a personal cell phone not used for work or anything. I’ve never heard of a security issue asking you to change your passcode to get into your phone.

I recently wrote a short article about common WiFi security mistakes and how weak passwords can put home networks at risk. Many people still use passwords based on names, birthdays, phone numbers, or the default credentials set by their ISP, making them easier to guess than they think.

The article also talks about public WiFi risks and a few simple ways to improve your network security.

DISCLAMER: This is shared for educational and awareness purposes only. Accessing or attacking networks without permission is illegal and unethical. The goal is to help people understand the risks and better secure their own networks.

Article: https://medium.com/@hadeyghoptey/nepals-wifi-passwords-are-already-in-someone-s-wordlist-bd2ce5b80bd9