What to store in your password manager

Preview:

Everyone knows that password managers are necessary for safe site login. But they are useful for storing lots of other information as well.

Some people only save passwords in their password manager. I recommend that, and a lot more.

Online account access

Of course, this is what everyone thinks the password safe is for. Remember, when setting up a new account, enter the username, password, and address first. Then use your password manager to set up your account online. If you copy from your password manager to your new online account, then you know your password and username are correct.

This is also where you store your weird information the site might someday require, like security questions and answers, or PINs. Never answer your security questions with correct answers someone could find out. For example, one account wanted my pet's name for a security question. I gave it something like BoE5Rq. This is small enough to be able to say over the phone if needed, but it can't be found out by some person learning about me.

Stuff that's nice to have in a single safe place and identity

Car information like, VIN and license plate for my car, driver's license number, model, and year of car
Social Security information
Insurance policy numbers, companies, expiration dates etc.
Voter registration information
Library card information for Washington and Multnomah County

Financial Information

Bank account numbers. Physical statements do not include account numbers for security reasons. You should have your main checking account number and the bank's routing number. I have recorded my account number with and without spaces every four numbers. That way I can copy and paste it (no spaces), or read it to someone (with spaces).
Bank online login information (username and password).
All my credit card information, including separate entries for logging into the account online, and the card itself. The card includes the number, the expiration date, the secret number, and, if appropriate, the PIN for ATMs. I also include the bank's phone number.
Log in information for my financial accounts for investments.
My security freeze information for the credit bureaus.

Software license keys.

I not only record the keys, I usually copy the important parts of the email the vendor sends me with the purchase. It can sometimes include other items I will need, like login information, or the email address I used for the purchase.

PINS

The Pins for anything you use a pin for, including the phone backup when you always use your face or finger. Also, possibly, a lockbox, password to your computer or tablet as well as phone. You could also have gates or other lockers.
How to access your safe deposit box if you have one.

Internet access

Wi-Fi passwords
Passwords required for accessing the router and/or Modem.

I am dead

I have a folder in my password manager called: I am dead. In it, I've duplicated, if necessary or just stuck in once, the links, and passwords and pins I think someone will need when my executor accesses my password manager after I've died or become incapacitated. This is just a set of records putting together the things an executor is likely to need. All in one place. My lockbox for my outside key, my phone pin, and my computer login. I also have the location of my keys, including keys to the shed and so forth. Also, the cremation company I have set up with their phone number and my account login.

My Hardware

I record information in my password manager about what I buy. So, I have entries for:

My computer: What is it? Basic information about it and when I purchased it.
My Tablet: It's information, memory, battery, weight, pixels, and Android version. Company and date.
My UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply): This includes when I purchased it, model number, serial number and even firmware revision number. I've also included when I bought a new battery for it.
My router log in information, but also serial number, Guest network password, Wi-Fi password and how to save and restore my settings.
Printer information, including logging in to it and when I bought the last drum and the company that made it, as well as its IP address.
My robotic vacuum cleaner information, modem and more
Etc.

My Home

Insurance information
Ballottrax for Washington County
Comcast information
People and companies I've used for maintenance
PGE information
Other companies like garbage service

Date: March 2025

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		What to store in your password manager Preview: Everyone knows that password managers are necessary for safe site login. But they are useful for storing lots of other information as well. Some people only save passwords in their password manager. I recommend that, and a lot more. Online account access Of course, this is what everyone thinks the password safe is for. Remember, when setting up a new account, enter the username, password, and address first. Then use your password manager to set up your account online. If you copy from your password manager to your new online account, then you know your password and username are correct. This is also where you store your weird information the site might someday require, like security questions and answers, or PINs. Never answer your security questions with correct answers someone could find out. For example, one account wanted my pet's name for a security question. I gave it something like BoE5Rq. This is small enough to be able to say over the phone if needed, but it can't be found out by some person learning about me. Stuff that's nice to have in a single safe place and identity Car information like, VIN and license plate for my car, driver's license number, model, and year of car Social Security information Insurance policy numbers, companies, expiration dates etc. Voter registration information Library card information for Washington and Multnomah County Financial Information Bank account numbers. Physical statements do not include account numbers for security reasons. You should have your main checking account number and the bank's routing number. I have recorded my account number with and without spaces every four numbers. That way I can copy and paste it (no spaces), or read it to someone (with spaces). Bank online login information (username and password). All my credit card information, including separate entries for logging into the account online, and the card itself. The card includes the number, the expiration date, the secret number, and, if appropriate, the PIN for ATMs. I also include the bank's phone number. Log in information for my financial accounts for investments. My security freeze information for the credit bureaus. Software license keys. I not only record the keys, I usually copy the important parts of the email the vendor sends me with the purchase. It can sometimes include other items I will need, like login information, or the email address I used for the purchase. PINS The Pins for anything you use a pin for, including the phone backup when you always use your face or finger. Also, possibly, a lockbox, password to your computer or tablet as well as phone. You could also have gates or other lockers. How to access your safe deposit box if you have one. Internet access Wi-Fi passwords Passwords required for accessing the router and/or Modem. I am dead I have a folder in my password manager called: I am dead. In it, I've duplicated, if necessary or just stuck in once, the links, and passwords and pins I think someone will need when my executor accesses my password manager after I've died or become incapacitated. This is just a set of records putting together the things an executor is likely to need. All in one place. My lockbox for my outside key, my phone pin, and my computer login. I also have the location of my keys, including keys to the shed and so forth. Also, the cremation company I have set up with their phone number and my account login. My Hardware I record information in my password manager about what I buy. So, I have entries for: My computer: What is it? Basic information about it and when I purchased it. My Tablet: It's information, memory, battery, weight, pixels, and Android version. Company and date. My UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply): This includes when I purchased it, model number, serial number and even firmware revision number. I've also included when I bought a new battery for it. My router log in information, but also serial number, Guest network password, Wi-Fi password and how to save and restore my settings. Printer information, including logging in to it and when I bought the last drum and the company that made it, as well as its IP address. My robotic vacuum cleaner information, modem and more Etc. My Home Insurance information Ballottrax for Washington County Comcast information People and companies I've used for maintenance PGE information Other companies like garbage service Date: March 2025 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
		I attempt to provide reliable information, but make no warranty as to the accuracy or safety of these articles. I disclaim all legal responsibility for what following these instructions may do. Follow my advice at your own risk