5 Safe Ways to Share Passwords Without Getting Hacked

Sharing passwords is more common than most people realize. Wi-Fi credentials for house guests, shared streaming accounts, server login details for teammates, or emergency access codes for family members. The problem is that most people default to the easiest method available, which usually happens to be the least secure.

This guide walks through the five most common (and risky) ways people share passwords, then presents five genuinely secure alternatives you can start using today.

5 Dangerous Ways People Share Passwords

1. Sending Through Messenger Apps

Typing a password directly into WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, or iMessage feels natural, but it is one of the worst choices. Chat histories are stored permanently on both devices. If either phone is lost, stolen, or compromised, every password you ever shared is exposed.

2. Sending Via Email

Email supports TLS encryption during transit, but messages sit in your inbox as plain text once delivered. Email accounts are prime targets for attackers, and a single breach exposes every password you have ever sent.

3. Writing on Sticky Notes

This happens constantly in offices. A sticky note on a monitor is visible to anyone passing by, and a single photo is all it takes to compromise the credentials.

4. Storing in Shared Documents

Google Docs, Notion pages, or shared spreadsheets might seem organized, but if the sharing permissions change or the document link leaks, everyone with access can see the passwords.

5. Saying It Out Loud in Public

Dictating a password across a coffee shop or open office means anyone within earshot can hear it. Someone nearby could easily write it down or record it.

5 Secure Alternatives That Actually Work

1. Password-Protected Memo Links

Services like LOCK.PUB let you create a one-time, password-protected memo. You send the link through one channel (like a chat app) and the unlock password through a different channel (like a phone call or text). Even if one channel is compromised, the password stays safe.

Pros:

• No passwords left in chat history
• Set expiration for automatic deletion
• No app installation required for the recipient

Cons:

• Recipient needs to click a link and enter a password

2. Password Manager Sharing Features

Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, and LastPass include built-in secure sharing. Both parties stay within the encrypted ecosystem, and passwords sync automatically when changed.

Pros:

• End-to-end encryption
• Automatic sync on password changes

Cons:

• Both parties need the same service
• Often requires a paid plan

3. Encrypted File Transfer

Put the password in a text file, compress it with a password-protected ZIP archive, and send the file via email. Share the ZIP password separately by phone.

Pros:

• No service signup needed
• Works offline

Cons:

• Process is cumbersome
• File persists unless manually deleted

4. Direct Phone Call

A one-on-one phone call leaves no digital trace unless someone is recording. It is immediate and personal.

Pros:

• Instant delivery
• No digital record

Cons:

• Hard to convey complex passwords with special characters
• Recipient must rely on memory

5. In-Person Handoff

The oldest and most reliable method. Meet physically and type the password into their device, or show it on your screen briefly.

Pros:

• Zero digital footprint
• Impossible to intercept remotely

Cons:

• Requires physical proximity
• Not practical for remote situations

Comparison Table

Method	Security	Convenience	Trace Left	Remote Use	Cost
Protected memo link	High	High	Expires automatically	Yes	Free
Password manager	Very high	Medium	Until deleted	Yes	Paid
Encrypted file	High	Low	Until deleted	Yes	Free
Phone call	Medium	High	None	Yes	Free
In-person	Very high	Low	None	No	Free

Which Method Should You Choose?

When Speed Matters

A password-protected memo link is ideal. You can create one in under 30 seconds and set a short expiration window for added safety.

When Sharing With a Team

Use a password manager with team features, or share a LOCK.PUB memo link with the entire group. Both scale well for multiple recipients.

When the Information Is Extremely Sensitive

Meet in person if possible. If not, use a phone call and change the password immediately afterward.

When Access Is Only Needed Temporarily

A memo link with a short expiration is perfect. Set it to one hour or 24 hours, and access is automatically revoked.

Golden Rules for Sharing Passwords

1. Send the link and the password through separate channels. Putting both in the same message defeats the purpose entirely.
2. Change the password after sharing. Especially for temporary shares, rotate the password once the other person is done.
3. Always set an expiration. Permanent access is an unnecessary risk.
4. Minimize who gets access. Share only with people who truly need it, and keep a record of who has access.
5. Audit shared passwords regularly. Revoke access that is no longer needed immediately.

Start Sharing Passwords Safely

It is time to stop pasting passwords into chat windows. Create a password-protected memo on LOCK.PUB and share your credentials securely. It is free and takes less than a minute.

Create a Secret Memo -->