Simply put, creating strong and complex passwords and actually remembering what those passwords are is becoming a huge pain behind the scenes. A common advice is not to use the same password for everything as it is insecure. When you try to log into your bank account or online shop.
However, this warning about using different passwords for different sites is definitely true: according to Verizon’s data breach investigation report(opens in new tab), 81% of hacking-related breaches involved exploiting stolen or weak credentials. And while you probably don’t need to say this, it’s also not a good time at all to have your money or identity stolen.
But even if you come up with an Olympic-strength password, remembering complex, unique passwords for dozens of different sites is nearly impossible.Capital letters, numbers, symbols, newt eyes, etc.
Before you know it, you’ve exhausted your three guesses, can’t remember your genius combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and you’re locked out.And now I need to create a new awesome password again. So when I try to do something I think I remember, I get a “new password cannot be the same as old” warning.
Enter: password manager. It’s your new best friend to help keep your online accounts safe and maintained. you No need to toss your device across the room every time you need to remember a password or create a new one.
What Do Password Managers Actually Do?
The best password manager is basically a way to keep all your logins and passwords safe and secure.
Just remember one master password and the password manager autofills the rest.
In other words, a password manager can keep your phone’s notes (or notebooks, if you’re old school), except that life doesn’t come to an end just because you lost your phone or notebook. It’s like a secure list of passwords. Hacked.
Password managers are either apps on your phone, plugins in your browser, or desktop software you install.
Besides saving you, some even help you create super-secure passwords that hackers can’t guess, so you don’t have to keep coming up with variations based on your pet’s or child’s name.
The best password manager also allows you to protect your photos and other personal documents that you don’t want easy 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.
Things to consider when choosing a password manager:
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Want your phone or laptop to remember your passwords? If so, you’ll need to make sure your password manager allows syncing across multiple devices. (As you can see, most non-LastPass free versions don’t allow multiple devices.)
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Do you store passwords for personal use only? Or do you need to share it with a group? Some password managers let you share your login information with colleagues and family without actually telling them what your passwords are. This allows you to grant access to sites or platforms used by anyone, and remove access if desired, without worrying about sharing passwords with people you don’t approve. Some can be set up so that you and your spouse or children can easily share passwords.
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Two-factor authentication: If I use the Google Authenticator app, external devices, text messages, or similar, does my password manager need a second insurance policy to verify that it’s actually the user trying to log in? Without it, if someone gets your master password, they can access everything you have.
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emergency contact: If you forget your master password, you need to make sure it hasn’t completely failed. Many password managers come equipped with an emergency contact. This is basically the password version someone writes to your will. This is where you give a trusted friend, family member, or boss access to your Master Password in case you can’t provide it.
What’s the best password manager on the market?
Interested in making your online life a little easier with a password manager? Below we list the 6 best password managers and exactly what each plan offers so you can easily find the best one for your individual needs.All prices listed are annual prices is.
