Keep your accounts safe, with help from AI

3 min readTech help

Strong passwords and two-step login keep your email and bank safer. AI can walk you through it, one account at a time.

Passwords are a pain, so many of us use the same one everywhere. That's what scammers count on. The good news is you don't need to be a tech expert to fix it. An AI chat app like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude can explain each step in plain words and walk you through it on your own phone or computer.

One rule first: never type a real password, a login code or an account number into an AI chat. AI teaches; you do the typing in the real app.

Step 1: Pick the accounts that matter most

Example: "I have email, online banking, Facebook, Amazon and a pharmacy account. Which ones should I make safest first, and why? Explain in plain words."

Most people start with email, because it can reset every other password.

Step 2: Make passwords you can remember

Example: "Explain how to make a strong password I can remember, using a few random words. Show me 2 made-up examples so I get the idea. I won't use your examples."

Ask it about password managers too: "What is a password manager, and is the one built into my iPhone (or Android phone) a good place to start?"

Step 3: Turn on two-step login

Two-step login means a code on your phone, as well as your password.

Example: "Walk me through turning on two-step verification for my Gmail account on an iPhone, one step at a time. Wait for me to say 'done' before the next step."

Menus change, so if a step doesn't match your screen, tell it what you see and it will adjust.

Step 4: Know the signs of a hacked account

Example: "What are the signs my email account has been hacked, and what should I do first if it happens? Give me a short checklist I can print."

Things to know

• No real company or AI will ever ask you for your password or a login code. If someone does, by text, email or phone, it's a scam. Our guide to checking a scam message shows what to look for.
• If an AI chat ever asks for your password, don't give it. Close the chat.
• Write your passwords down only if you keep the paper somewhere safe at home, never in your wallet or on the computer.
• Doing this for a parent? Sit with them and let them type their own passwords.

Also read: How to use AI to check if a message is a scam

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