How to Share Passwords Safely

It's safe and easy to share your passwords, as long as you use the right tools.

-  JILL DUFFY

Never share your passwords: In general, that's good advice, but it's not practical for every situation. A lot of people need to share username and password combinations with trusted family members, friends, and coworkers. If you're going to share passwords, however, you need a good reason and the right tools to do it safely.

WHY WOULD YOU SHARE YOUR PASSWORDS?

One common reason is when family members share an account that doesn't offer multiple logins. Utility bills, for example, might be managed by more than one person. Or you might have an online storage space for family documents, and you want your adult children to be able to log in and grab their immunization forms themselves without having to hassle you.

Another reason is business. Employees sometimes use one login for many people, like a social media account. If you run a small business and aren't using a social media management tool, you might want to grant access to the company Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts to multiple people.

And what about emergencies? If something happens that leaves you unable to log into an account (coma, death, incarceration-who knows what could happen?), would you be able to share your passwords with someone else to take over or cancel the account easily?

For any of these situations and others, you can safely and securely share passwords with people you trust.

HOW TO SHARE PASSWORDS WITH A PASSWORD MANAGER

The best way to manage your passwords, and that includes managing the sharing of passwords, is with a password manager. Is that not just the most obvious thing you've ever heard?