These days, it feels like you need a login and password for just about every service and site. As it turns out, where you store your passwords makes a big difference, and some of the most instinctive places to store them can be the most dangerous.
One of the most common places where people keep all sorts of information, including their logins for websites and apps, is the predownloaded Notes app on the iPhone. While the app is a great place for writing down to-do lists, appointment reminders, and more, cybersecurity expert and tech content creator Caitlin Serian warns against writing your passwords in it. Read more about what she had to say below.
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Why You Shouldn't Keep Your Passwords In Your Notes App
One of the most popular preinstalled Apple apps is the Notes app. It's a space where people can keep an unlimited amount of notes pertaining to just about anything, from grocery lists to recipes to poetry and more. They can be exchanged with others, locked, highlighted, and edited, etc.
Although this app is super convenient, there are still certain things you shouldn't keep in it, like valuable information such as passwords or credit card details.
"You're making it incredibly easy for someone to access everything," says Caitlin in her video. "If your phone is lost, stolen, hacked, or someone gains access to your iCloud or Google account, because, let's be honest, that password is probably reused on other accounts, they instantly get access to every password synced to your device."
Caitlin notes that a lot of dangers are hidden behind the Notes app, as it is "not encrypted and wasn't built for security."
"One breach of your Apple or Google account, and your entire online life is free for the taking," she added.
The Best Places To Store Your Passwords
We've become so reliant on our technology that it's not much of a surprise if your natural instinct is to store your passwords through, well, your trusted technology. However, if you want to keep that information as secure as possible, there are other options.
Caitlin suggests using a well-reviewed and trusted password manager website or app, as they can "generate and store strong passwords" for every account you have. However, you can also keep things more old school and go back to writing your passwords down on paper and keeping them in a secure area of your home.
This is an especially smart idea when it comes to passwords that protect extra private information, like banking and health records.
