Oct 14, 2026, 5:22 PM@timcappalli @juancnuno @ScottHelme @maxpool counterpoint -> my mom finds password managers difficult enough to use already, and she prefers something she understands.
- Oct 14, 2026, 5:22 PM
Replies
timtimcappalli@infosec.exchangeOct 14, 2026, 6:02 PMsure, but she's probably already using one without realizing it, because a majority of users prefer to have their trusted devices remember things for them.
- GerardGerardThornley@hachyderm.ioOct 14, 2026, 7:40 PM
@timcappalli @amonduin @juancnuno @ScottHelme @maxpool The older users I know are still using pieces of paper (or worse, an excel file!) to manage their passwords. Even TOTP is beyond at least some of them. SMS-based 2FA is frustrating to them but they have at least learned what they're expected to do.
For a certain age group, change - any change at all - is really, really difficult to cope with. It's confusing, and ultimately pushes them to reject technology. Then they feel isolated because so many things assume some level of online capability. - timtimcappalli@infosec.exchangeOct 14, 2026, 8:52 PM
@GerardThornley @amonduin @juancnuno @ScottHelme @maxpool they're also the folks most at risk of being phished and losing their retirement. we have to try!
- GerardGerardThornley@hachyderm.ioOct 14, 2026, 10:08 PM
@timcappalli @amonduin @juancnuno @ScottHelme @maxpool Oh, I appreciate the risks arrayed against them. But if folks are struggling to cope with what they already have, the right solution is not asking them to learn something new.
I think for some people it might be better to move their interface to services offline - support people living in a simpler world.