Magic Links vs. Passwords: Why the "Old Way" is Putting Your Firm at Risk

"I forgot my password." It’s the sentence that launches a thousand support tickets and stalls hundreds of tax returns every season.

For years, we’ve been told that a complex password is the gold standard of security. But in 2026, cybersecurity experts are reaching a different conclusion: The password is the weakest link in the chain.

The Myth of the "Secure" Portal Password

Think about your average client. When forced to create a password for a portal they use once a year, they usually do one of three things:

• Reuse a password they already use for 10 other (less secure) sites.
• Choose something laughably simple like Spring2026!.
• Write it down on a sticky note near their computer.

If a client's credentials are leaked in a unrelated data breach, your "secure" portal is suddenly wide open.

Enter the "Magic Link"

A Magic Link (Passwordless Authentication) works differently. Instead of a permanent password stored on a server, the system sends a temporary, cryptographic token directly to the client's verified email address.

Why Magic Links are actually safer:

1. Inherited MFA: Most clients have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on their email. By using a magic link, your app "inherits" that high-level security without making the client jump through extra hoops.
2. No Database to Breach: Since there are no passwords stored in the PaperFlow database, there is nothing for a hacker to "dump" or steal.
3. Single-Use & Time-Bound: Magic links expire. A password lasts forever until it's changed.

The Frictionless Advantage

Beyond security, there is the human element. When a client doesn't have to remember a password, they don't procrastinate.

With PaperFlow, you get the best of both worlds: uncompromising security for your firm and zero friction for your clients.