diff --git a/backend/services/.env.example b/backend/services/.env.example
index 88f23b75..d40a7950 100644
--- a/backend/services/.env.example
+++ b/backend/services/.env.example
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ MINIO_USE_SSL=false
 
 # MinIO credentials (must match minio server config)
 MINIO_ACCESS_KEY=admin
-MINIO_SECRET_KEY=minio_secret_password
+MINIO_SECRET_KEY=change_me_to_secure_password
 
 # Bucket for user avatars
 MINIO_BUCKET_AVATARS=avatars
diff --git a/backend/services/identity-service/.env.example b/backend/services/identity-service/.env.example
index 7e74b129..ab6cc88f 100644
--- a/backend/services/identity-service/.env.example
+++ b/backend/services/identity-service/.env.example
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ MINIO_USE_SSL=false
 
 # MinIO credentials (must match minio server config)
 MINIO_ACCESS_KEY="admin"
-MINIO_SECRET_KEY="minio_secret_password"
+MINIO_SECRET_KEY="change_me_to_secure_password"
 
 # Bucket for user avatars
 MINIO_BUCKET_AVATARS="avatars"