No doubt you’ve heard the advice – “Always use different passwords for everything.” Many have wondered – how? There are so many sites!
Password Managers exist to help you have unique, strong, passwords for all your online sites.
Most of us are not specifically interesting to the bad guys, but those bad guys run highly automated tools that check for common mistakes and weaknesses – the idea here is for you to have a small collection of habits and tools that are very easy for you to have, but make things much harder for those bad guys.
Password Managers are one such tool that helps roughen the road considerably; websites that we all deal with get hacked, their lists of usernames and sometimes passwords exposed – automated tools then go and try variations on revealed passwords at any sites that can be linked to you.
A password manager is a tool that generates, stores, and organizes strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts. These passwords are encrypted and secured using advanced security protocols, and you only need to remember a single master password to access your password manager.
Stronger Passwords
Password managers generate and store strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. You don’t need to come up with a new password for each account, which can be difficult to remember. This prevents the repetition of the same password used over multiple sites, which can put many of your accounts at risk if only one account is compromised.
Increased Security
Password managers use advanced encryption and security protocols to protect your passwords and personal information. These protocols ensure that your passwords are stored in an encrypted format, which means that even if an attacker manages to obtain your password manager database, they won’t be able to read it without the encryption key. Additionally, many password managers also offer two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires you to enter a second form of identification, such as a code sent to your phone, to access your accounts.
Professionally run online services are monitored continuously for security issues, so in using a well-known, well-maintained service, you have a hope of being notified if there is an issue that might affect the security of your passwords; nobody is monitoring your home PC
Simplified Login
With a password manager, you only need to remember one password – the master password that unlocks your password manager. This means that you don’t need to remember all the passwords for various accounts, which can be a hassle, especially with the more accounts you have. Moreover when you visit a website, your password manager will automatically fill in your login information for you, so you don’t have to type them in manually.
Time-Saving
Password managers can save you a lot of time by automatically filling in login details and forms on websites that you have already created or entered before. This means that you don’t have to spend time typing in the same details every time you visit a site. Password managers can often also auto-fill credit card details, addresses, and other personal information, making any checkout process much faster. On top of all that, whenever you manually enter information into a site for the first time, the password manager will recognize that this is a new set of credentials and automatically prompt the user to save the information for next time.
Accessibility
Most password managers are available as apps or browser extensions, making them accessible from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This means that you can access your passwords and personal information from your phone, tablet, or laptop, regardless of where you are. Additionally, many password managers offer sync across devices, so you can keep all your devices updated with the latest passwords and information.
Data Organization
Password managers can also organize your login details and personal information in one place, making it easy to find and update your information as needed. Many password managers have features that allow you to sort and categorize your passwords, so you can easily find the ones you need. Additionally, password managers can alert you when a password is about to expire, or when it’s been compromised, so you can update it before any damage is done.
Conclusion
In conclusion, password managers are an essential tool for protecting your personal information and ensuring your online security. They offer convenience, security, and simplicity in managing your online accounts and reducing the risks of cyber attacks, or any other unauthorized access. So, if you haven’t started using a password manager yet, it’s time to consider it as a necessary investment in your online security!
Incidentally, we recommend LastPass – they have a free offering that is very useful, and reasonable family or team options for those that need additional features.
Looking forward to more years of serving you well,
- The Pund-IT Team
