TRAVELING SECURELY WITH 1PASSWORD
Created by: Christine Cox
KEEPING OUR DIGITAL LIFE SAFE ON THE ROAD
One question I’m often asked by clients, other entrepreneurs and other traveling families is about digital security, password sharing and password protection. The family shares and relies on many (so many) devices for school, work and personal use. Professionally, I also have to securely manage client passwords and accessibility. Traveling makes us particularly vulnerable to security breaches, especially if we’re ever on public or shared networks—even our precious Starlink could be at risk in some areas. This is where 1Password comes in as an essential tool for managing our online security– and the price tag is not bad at all. I just thought I would take time to share with our followers on 4C’s in case anyone else is looking for a solution for their business or personal life.
Here’s a link to learn more: LINK
WHY WE CHOSE 1PASSWORD
As a Google-based family, I used to store most of our passwords in Google. This made accessing logins on my phone and browser convenient. I’ve used 1password for work, whether with users that are primarily Google or Microsoft based, for several years. And despite the fact that 1Password offers a FREE family plan for anyone that uses it for work (not just the owner, all the team members), I still did not use it for my personal passwords until recently. Following a couple of alerts on security breaches, I finally pulled the trigger and made the switch. In addition, I made my husband switch as well.
Afterwards, we kicked ourselves for not doing it sooner. Aside from being more secure, after the initial setup it was actually much more convenient for us to save, share and access important information beyond just passwords. We could also do this with credit card numbers, passports and other critical documentation - more on that below.
1PASSWORD, OUR TOP SECURITY SOLUTION ON THE ROAD
1. Secure Access to Passwords on Any Device
One of the most challenging aspects of travel is ensuring access to online accounts from various devices. With 1Password, all our passwords sync across devices, whether we’re using a phone, tablet, or laptop. This has been essential, especially with both parents handling homeschooling responsibilities and needing access to education platforms on multiple devices. We created a ‘School’ vault within 1Password, which either parent can access as long as we’re logged in. This way, we’re both prepared for anything that comes up and we’re not paying for two user accesses.
2. Additional Protection for Businesses
For business owners, combining 1Password with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is highly recommended. While 1Password encrypts passwords, a VPN adds another layer by encrypting internet traffic. This is particularly important if you handle sensitive client data or financial information. The extra layer of protection is invaluable for peace of mind.
Even if you elect not to go the VPN route, 1Password will protect yours and your clients’ login information and allow you to share it across the team to only the personnel that need access. See item #5 for more information.
3. Secure Storage for Sensitive Documents and Credit Card Information
Besides passwords, 1Password securely stores sensitive documents, from passport scans to travel insurance, from medical records to other critical documentation you might need but don’t want to carry in your rig or overseas. This digital backup has been especially helpful in situations where we’ve needed access to these items while on the move. Recently, we faced a scenario where we needed the physical numbers from some credit cards we weren’t traveling with, which were safely stored elsewhere. I hadn’t thought to add them to 1Password, but moving forward, I’ll be using it to securely store this information and ensure we have access at all times.
For work, I’ve also used 1Password to store digital credit cards for employees when they need to make pre-approved online purchases. If our kids were older, this would be a convenient option for them too. I’ll do a separate blog on digital credit cards at some point in the future. Those in which you can set budgets are a great tool for you, your kids and those of you that own small businesses.
4. Reduced Risk of Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks can be a serious threat when traveling, as we’re frequently logging into new sites or receiving emails for bookings and reservations. 1Password reduces this risk by autofilling credentials only on verified websites. If a site is suspicious, 1Password won’t recognize it, helping us avoid potential scams and keeping our information safe. So, if you get a crazy email that looks legit and sends the link with that one changed letter asking you to login and update your information, 1Password won’t recognize it. After the initial frustration dies down and you stop cursing the software, take a minute to double check the link against what you have in 1Password to see if it is, in fact, legit.
5. Effortless and Secure Password Sharing
Before 1Password, my husband and I managed our password information in separate spreadsheets (you know you did/do this too). It was tedious and insecure. Every time I needed one of his passwords, I’d ask and he’d have to email or text it to me. Now, with shared vaults, we have organized access to everything from our kids’ homeschooling logins to streaming service credentials. Each family member has multiple vaults for their information – some are shared and some are private. It’s a great option to have.
1Password’s shared vaults also make it easy to control who has access to which passwords. For business use, this feature is invaluable, as you can create specific vaults for clients and share only with relevant team members. For example, a marketing team might share a vault with credentials for a client’s website with the few members working on that site, but no other employees of the marketing company would see it. You can also safely share your vaults with outsourced business partners that use 1Password, without having to email a single password.
Finally, in the event of the unthinkable, we included a copy of our 1Password Emergency Kit with our estate documents and directives. The Emergency Kit is a document that 1Password will send to you when you set up your account. It has your account Key and your password, both of which are necessary in order to access your 1Password account. So, if something happens to us, the executor of our estate and a couple of very trust individuals will get a copy of this document and have access to our 1Password accounts so things aren’t tied up in probate or because they don’t know how to login. This was really important to us given we have small kids and there are questionable drivers out there (not us of course…).
6. Organized Logins and Accounts
One of 1Password’s greatest features is its ability to keep logins and accounts organized. As long-term travelers, we rely on various travel accounts, homeschool accounts, financial accounts, accessible documentation and so much more. With the option to create vaults and tags, we’ve streamlined our digital life.
7. Suggested Passwords and Regular Password Health Checks
When you are signing up for a new site or you are updating your password for existing logins, 1Password will make suggestions for the new password and then automatically save it for you as long as you have the browser extension installed. You can define the parameters for all of your passwords, such as length and whether or not to include symbols. You must periodically log into the browser extension in order to have it accessible while using the web. You can also define the parameters or time period that it will allow you, your family or your team to remain logged in before you have to enter your password again. Generally, if you computer goes to sleep or is shut down, it will log you out.
1Password also includes a password health feature, which I use twice a year. This tool reviews password strength, identifying weak, reused, or compromised passwords, which is especially helpful when managing both personal and business accounts. Running these checks regularly gives us peace of mind, knowing our accounts are secure, and is a great feature to recommend to clients for their own security.
1PASSWORD PLANS & PRICING
If you’re considering 1Password, here’s a quick look at the subscription plans available:
Individual Plan: $2.99/month (billed annually at $35.88)
Families Plan: $4.99/month (billed annually at $59.88) for up to five users
Teams Starter Pack: $19.95/month for up to 10 users, includes a Families Plan for each user
Business Plan: $7.99/user per month
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger organizations
Each plan includes a 14-day free trial, so you can test 1Password before committing to a subscription. And many of the business credit cards offer a discount or cash back on the purchase.
Traveling securely and managing work-life separation on the road isn’t always easy, but 1Password has become our go-to solution for both personal and professional needs (no more spreadsheets or post-its hanging around). From secure access to password management and shared vaults, it has been indispensable in keeping our family and business information safe.
So, whether you’re a digital nomad, a family on the move, or a business owner with a remote team, consider making 1Password your security companion for both work and travel. You’ll have peace of mind, organization, and the tools to handle your digital life with confidence—no matter where the road takes you.
