Security

Why You Should be Using a Password Manager

The time has come to be informed about password managers. Why? Does this sound like something your grandma would use? Then your grandma must be very smart because you are proven to be much safer overall using a password manager. No matter how smart tech-savvy or concentrated you are, you are bound to make a mistake somewhere when it comes to password management. After all, you are human.

You probably already know that you need a password to access accounts, apps, programs, and much more. Passwords have existed since the first computers. Without passwords, anyone could access your stored information. Passwords are like the key to your innermost private world, and basically, not having one would be like riding in a fast car without the doors. It’s a one-way ticket to compromise your safety like your personal information, which could severely impact your life.

The average person has multiple accounts online, which means that there will be multiple usernames and passwords required to log in. Keeping all of this around is difficult, and remembering it is even harder. Not to mention the risk of your accounts being hacked because of weak password hygiene. So, you need a safe place that will help you store your passwords and do even more for you, with the ultimate goals of safety and peace of mind.

What is a Password Manager?

A password manager is a type of program that stores passwords, and thanks to modern technology it is also available for all devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, etc.) The program can store an enormous amount of passwords (as this is a tiny amount of textual data) for all of your accounts. You can even find these for free today. Also, modern software developments have made passwords managers more than password managers. Hold on, what? Yes, literally, password managers do much more than just store your passwords safely.

The password manager market has changed because of more demand for an all-in-one solution that offers more security as well as other useful, easy to access options. These other options are included with the best password managers out there, like LastPass, Keeper, Zoho, and a few others. Features like high-level encryption, automatic login that the program does for you, a feature that generates safe passwords for you so that you don’t have to and more are generally offered in premium managers. Even more, features like; alerting you of potential data leaks, multi-factor authentication, even messaging are sometimes offered. Finally, some of the best managers out there offer ‘zero-knowledge’ security, as well as hardware security options.

Do You Need a Password Manager?

Statistics present a strong case for why a password manager is a good choice in modern, busy times. Here is a list to think about;

  • 51% of people repeat the same passwords across multiple accounts
  • 40% of people forget their password every month
  • 43% of US adults have shared their passwords with people they trust
  • 30% of people change their passwords once or twice annually
  • Multi-Factor authentication blocks over 99% of hacking attempts
  • 80% of hacking incidents are caused by a password leak
  • 50% of all internet users still use the same password for all accounts
  • Over 500 million stolen passwords have been published on hacker forums

A password manager will resolve a lot of the above problems, and not only protect you but protect others. You can let the program store your passwords and recommend new ones for you and you will even get reminded when it is time to change passwords. Furthermore, encrypted programs mean that nobody can get into your password box without a master key (which you need to store somewhere safe.)

The average person has multiple accounts, and password managers only really apply when this is the case, although it is difficult to meet someone with a single account online today. Not only is keeping multiple, high-entropy passwords generated by the program locked up in an encrypted vault better than having your passwords written down on paper, but it is better for your safety and the safety of other people, your family, and your friends. You would not want your financial or medical information to ever be at risk.

For those of us that make no compromises when it comes to security, writing down passwords on a piece of paper and storing it safely will never be beaten. To do that, though, requires concentration and dedication. After all, all software can be hacked eventually. Finally, remember that if you decide to benefit from the practicality and features password managers offer, remember not to use built-in managers such as those that are browser extensions. Always strive to use premium, dedicated password managers that require a full installation to the disk.

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