Episode 34 – It’s Okay to Write Down Passwords — If You Modify Them
Welcome to another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.
🟢 This episode is based on the original Spanish version of CiberseguridadParaFamilias.com. It’s been translated using AI so more people can access these tips in English.
Today we’re talking about something very practical: how to write down passwords without exposing yourself to risk.
Yes, it’s understandable to need to write passwords. What matters is how and where you write them.
📌 Why writing down passwords exactly as they are is risky
If someone finds your notebook, sticky note, or paper, they can directly access your accounts — no hacking needed.
But there’s a simple trick: modify slight details in the version you write down — ones only you know.
🔍 How the modification strategy works
It’s quite simple:
You write a version almost identical to the real password, but with one or two small changes that only you understand.
Example:
- Real password (a phrase-based or alphanumeric combination):
Ramiro – Buys – Expensive – Lettuce – Supermarket - Written-down version:
Ramiro – Buys – Lettuce – Supermarket – Expensive
What changed?
You shifted “Caras” to “Caro” and moved “Supermercado” in the order. You altered one word’s form and the order in a way only you understand.
🔄 Related Episodes
- Episode 3: How to create secure passwords
- Episode 32: Where do you store your passwords?
- Episode 37: What is a password manager and how it helps
💡 Ideas to modify your written passwords
- Remove or change one character in each word
- Rearrange the order of one word or character
- Write only part of the full password, and keep the rest in memory
The goal: even if someone finds your note, they can’t reconstruct the full password.
🏁 Conclusion
Writing down passwords isn’t inherently wrong — if you use precautions.
A small, personal modification might be the difference between safety and exposure.
✅ Reminder: It’s okay to note them down … but always with a trick only you know.
📌 This has been another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.