This content originally appeared on Mashable for US audiences and has been tailored for UK audiences.
Let’s be honest, passwords are starting to take over our lives. More specifically, the need to create strong and complex passwords, and actually remembering what those passwords are has become one of the most daunting chores of modern life. We all know that we shouldn’t use the same password for everything because it’s not secure. Log in to your bank account or online shop.
However, this caveat definitely applies: According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report(opens in new tab), 81% of hacking-related breaches involved exploiting stolen or weak credentials. It goes without saying that having your money or identity stolen is not much fun.
Even if you come up with an Olympic-strength password, remembering complex, unique passwords for dozens of different sites is nearly impossible. This is where password managers come into play. Without a password manager, you would typically log in like this: , “The new password cannot be the same as the old password.”
How do password managers work?
Thankfully, with a decent password manager, you only have to remember one master password and it autofills the rest. Plus, it adds even more security features you probably never thought of. Think of it like keeping a list of passwords in a notepad on your phone. However, losing your phone doesn’t mean your whole life is hacked.
With the right password manager, you can also protect your photos and other personal documents that you don’t want to easily access on devices like Kindle and Apple Watch, as well as on your computer or smartphone. Think of it as a form of personal encryption to make your digital life even more secure.
What should I consider when choosing a password manager?
There are many password managers out there, but there are a few things to consider before picking your favorite.
Device usage — Want your phone or laptop to remember your passwords? Then you need to make sure your password manager allows syncing across multiple devices. As you can see, most non-LastPass free versions do not allow multiple devices.
authority — Do you store passwords only for personal use or do you need to share them with a group?
Two-factor authentication — If you use the Google Authenticator app, an external device, or similar, does your password manager require a second form of insurance to verify that it’s really you who’s trying to log in? Without it, if someone gets your master password, they can access everything you have.
emergency contact — If you forget your master password, you need to make sure it hasn’t failed completely. Many password managers come equipped with an emergency contact. This is basically the password version someone writes to your will. Now, give access to your Master Password to a trusted friend, family member, or boss in case you are unable to provide it.
Consider all these points before identifying the best password manager.
What’s the best password manager?
Interested in making your online life a little easier with a password manager? Below, we’ve listed some of the best password managers and exactly what each plan offers, so you can easily find the best one for your individual needs.
These are the best password managers in 2023.
