This low-tech ‘fix’ for digital hacking is out of date. Stop using it

You probably live in 2025. That is, you’ve created online accounts for major services like utilities and finances. But a handful of people still avoid it, and usually it’s because they think doing so will help keep their accounts safer. It won’t. 

If that’s not you, chances are that someone close to you believes this. And it’s a problem. If the account owner doesn’t set up and control online access, that leaves an opportunity for a hacker or scammer to do it instead.

Twenty years ago, the offline approach made sense. Online security was frustratingly limited. (For example, bank passwords often set a length restriction of just ten characters…and with unlimited tries for guessing.) Other barriers made sense for staying analog—you could ban permission to online access or your financial institution may have required opening an online account in person.

Nowadays, the world revolves around online access. Services fall over themselves to make setting up digital account access, and it can be done from anywhere in the world.

So likewise, going online is actually the smarter, more secure choice—if you (or the analog lover you’re helping) takes the following steps:

1. Create an online account with a strong password. It will probably be much longer than you’re used to—I recommend at least 20 characters.
2. If two-factor authentication is available, I recommend setting this up as well. If this is too complicated, make the password longer.
3. Save the password somewhere secure you can access. Your best bet is a password manager. A local app like KeePassXC can help maintain a sense of control and security. If that won’t work, a discreet note hidden away in the home is better that than a weak password.
4. Set up alerts for any activity on the account (sent to your email address or via text).
5. Leave it be.

If the account supports passkeys, set up a passkey in addition to the password + 2FA combo. That way you can still log in if you lose the device with the passkey, but the passkey can be the faster, easier way of logging into the account whenever necessary.

Convincing anyone wary of digital accounts can be a tall order (just ask anyone who does informal tech support for friends and family). Keep this info in your back pocket for whenever you next talk to them.