Password Managers are essential for good security practices!

If you’ve read the previous post, then you know that the best practice for accounts (all online accounts) is to have a different password for each one. That can easily end up being hundreds (perhaps not that many, but still a lot). How can you keep a track of them? By using a Password Manager to remember them for you!

What is a Password Manager?

It’s a program (or app) that securely stores all of your passwords (site URL, username and password) in a single place.

The key here, is that you set a ‘master password’ that you remember (and don’t write down), which then allows you to access all of the stored details.

Password Managers Pros and Cons

Before you run off and and try or purchase one of these, you need to think of a few things:

Operating System

The first question is what computer and operating system are you using?

For example 1Password is primarily for Mac, whereas LastPass and Dashlane are available for both Windows and Mac.

What about your smartphone or tablet?

Consider where you need to use it.

Free or Paid?

Some of these apps offer a free version, that can be either for a limited period of time, or have less features.

It can be worth trying them out — but remember if you choose another product, make sure that you remove all your saved passwords and delete the account.

What features do you need?

This is the key one.

What do you want the program to actually do — other than store the obvious details?

• Do you want it to suggest options?
• Have a choice of what it suggests?
• Additional Security checks
• Free version
• Multi-factor authentication
• Stores other things like: secure notes, or bank details
• Does it sync across devices?

Finally you have a list of requirements to help you choose the program that will best fit your needs.

Top 5 Password Managers

After all of this talk, what are some of programs or apps that you can use?

Well, here are the top 5 based on popularity and features.

LastPass (lastpass.com)

LastPass is a widely used password manager that provides users with features such as password generation, automatic form filling, and secure storage of digital records.

Dashlane (dashlane.com)

Dashlane is another popular password manager that offers a wide range of features, including automatic password generation, form filling, and secure digital record storage. It also has a built-in VPN and dark web monitoring feature.

1Password (1password.com)

1Password is a password manager that provides users with secure password storage, password generation, and automatic form filling. It also has a travel mode feature that allows users to temporarily remove sensitive data from their devices when traveling.

Bitwarden (bitwarden.com)

Bitwarden is a free, open-source password manager that offers features such as password generation, form filling, and secure digital record storage. It also has a built-in password strength report feature.

Keeper (keepersecurity.com)

Keeper is a password manager that provides users with secure password storage, password generation, and automatic form filling. It also has a secure messaging feature and a dark web monitoring feature to alert users of potential data breaches.

Password Managers Compared

I don’t have personal experience of all of these programs, but between myself and friends/family we do have first hand knowledge of the top 3.

All three of these apps, have the ability to store a range of information securely (from passwords, to cards, to notes). They suggest new secure passwords and can sync across multiple devices.

LastPass

It was suggested to me to use LastPass as an option to keep all of the passwords needed for courses I signed up to through a bundle.

(I did go a bit mad signing up to a lot).

I’ve got the free version, which I’m using via my web-browser. Overall, I’m happy with it.

Pros:

• It suggests secure passwords, so I don’t have to think ones up.
• Once saved it automatically recognises the websites and easily fills in my username and password.
• Works across devices and operating systems.

Cons:

• It doesn’t recognise the individual thrivecart learn sites, when I create an account with a new provider, it suggests updating one of the others.
• As a free account it appears that I can only have it in one location — I’m not sure that it’s worth (for me) to upgrade to have it across devices.
• I find that occasionally I’m logged out, so it doesn’t automatically fill in log in pages.

Dashlane

Personally I don’t use Dashlane but my sister does, here are her comments about it:

Pros:

• Overall it’s good
• Secure notes are useful
• It works across operating systems, (PC and Phones).

Cons:

• When you’ve got multiple password for the same site, or versions of, it asks about overriding or updating password. You have to be careful about reading what it’s asking.

I know that it’s her go-to for a password manager, as it works across al the system she uses.

1Password

As an iPhone user, this was the first password manager I chose to download.

It’s my go to on my phone, and when I originally bought it (yes, I’ve got the paid version), there wasn’t a Windows option.

There is now a version for Windows, but I still think of it as an Apple product.

I’ve got two versions, and feel slightly differently about them.

Pros:

• It’s easy to use
• Offers a choice of options to create a secure password
• Compromised password report

Cons:

• The latest version is designed to auto-fill passwords for you, and doesn’t make it easy to see them

1Password v7

This is the version that I first paid for, and it does everything that I want it to.

From suggesting and storing passwords, to saving other information securely.

It’s my go-to password app.

1Password v8

When I discovered that I was able to upgrade, it seemed a sensible suggestion.

Bit surprised that it installed a whole new app, but once signed in, all my information was automatically available to me.

It’s got a new look, but offers similar options to the previous version.

As I work across platforms — the huge annoyance for me with v8, is the lack of an option to reveal the password so that I can type it in.

Instead, I’m only offered copy! To see the password, I have to edit the information.

I know that it’s a bit more secure, but I don’t remember the password for this account, as the previous version has facial recognition. And for security v8 wants you to sign in every two weeks.

Overall, I find myself going back to v7 — as I find it fits my needs better.

Next Steps

I’ve been thinking about what my answer would be, if asked, what password manager I would recommend.

I’m not sure. I’m using two different products for two different reasons.

So, at the end of the day, it’s got to be down to you, where you need to use it (phone, web browser, tablet etc), and what you want it to do.

Whatever program you choose, I highly recommend having a password manager.

With the ‘best practice’ for security being a stronger and longer password and different for every online account, there’s only one ‘safe’ way to store them all — a Password Manager!

Previously posted on MichelleKTraining.co.uk as Do you really need a password manager?