Password security has improved in recent years. Corporations require new passwords on a rotating basis, and you can’t get by with a simple eight-digit phrase. Upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols have become the norm, but even that is not enough.
You cannot use the same password for more than one account, so as not to jeopardize them all with one hack. And every password must be as secure as the others. When you think about all these different scenarios, how should you keep track of all of this?
Simple: a password manager. Apps like KeePass, LastPass, and 1Password make password protection easy. All you need is a single secure password to log into your password manager account. The program will take care of the rest.
These apps generate nearly unbreakable passwords for each of your accounts, and since you don’t know what these passwords are and their actual identity is encrypted, a hacker cannot access your accounts through a password manager.
Sounds useful? It. The main thing is to determine which of the many options suits you.
1. KeePass ( Download )
KeePass stands out from many competitors for one obvious reason: it is not cloud-based. Many of KeePass’s strongest proponents argue that storing passwords in the cloud, even through a password manager, causes problems.
KeePass assumes any risk; its database is entirely based on your local drive, although you can sync it across devices using services like Dropbox.
KeePass takes advantage of some of the convenience of other password managers in exchange for full customization and flexibility. For example, an open source service. When comparing managers based solely on the attractiveness of their user interface, KeePass is the latter. It’s ugly to look at, but it gives users more control over their passwords and security.
KeePass won’t hold your hand and walk you through the process, which is a little intimidating for people who aren’t that tech savvy. However, if you enjoy technology and are comfortable with more complex systems, KeePass is a fantastic choice. In fact, we have a full description of this, which you can read here.
Things to know:
- Works with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, and more.
- More customization, less convenience.
- Free
2. LastPass
LastPass works like other managers. You just need one master password and it will take care of the rest. Best of all, when you set up the program – a process that only takes a few minutes – you can import all your saved passwords from various browsers, including lesser known browsers like Opera.
After you’ve imported these passwords, LastPass will give instructions on how to remove them from your computer. The software also provides two-factor authentication, credit monitoring, and other security features to keep you safe from every angle.
All of the above features are available in the free version of LastPass, but paying for the premium option opens up even more options. The premium version of LastPass allows you to sync information between your desktop computer and mobile devices, expanding functionality across a range of devices.
When you consider this feature over the top, it’s hard to go wrong. The only downside to keep in mind is that LastPass has been subject to security breaches in the past, but the company has done a good job since then improving and fixing any other vulnerabilities.
Things to know:
- Works with Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome.
- The free version has many features, but the premium extends beyond a single device.
- There have been security vulnerabilities in the past.
3.1Password
1Password is more than just a password manager. While it stores your username and password, it also provides a password generator that generates secure login information that is immune to dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.
1Password also has a watchtower feature that monitors attacks on popular websites and warns you of any known ongoing violations. There is also a digital wallet that allows users to store information, and the developers have offered a reward to anyone who can crack its encryption. If this does not speak of their confidence, I do not know what will happen.
1Password is not free, but it only costs $ 2.99 per month. You can save a few dollars by paying your subscription fees annually. While the program was used to charge a one-time fee, this monthly fee gives you access to all the features as long as you are subscribed.
And don’t worry – even if you cancel your subscription, your data will remain safe. You can sync the saved information between devices by whatever method you choose, but the company specifically describes compatibility with Dropbox and iCloud.
Things to know:
- Works with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
- Requires $ 2.99 monthly subscription.
- Monitoring functions keep you informed of current events. security threats
4. Dashlane
Dashlane may be LastPass’s closest competitor in terms of features, but there is one obvious flaw that confuses its overall rating: price.
Dashlane costs between $ 40 and $ 60 per year. While it has a free version with many features, the paid version includes most of the features that make a password manager really useful, like syncing across devices.
Dashlane provides you with a password generator, virtual wallet, and encrypted auto-complete features. While this software may not be as complete as LastPass in terms of cost effectiveness, it’s worth checking out at least.
Things to know:
- Works with Windows, Mac, various browsers.
- Annual price is higher than most competitors.
- Much like LastPass
Why do you need a password manager
Of course, password managers are handy, but you might wonder if they are really necessary. The answer to this is simple and compelling yes. That’s why. Do you know how to use passwords correctly and safely? This is an extensive checklist, and almost everyone is guilty of violating it:
- 12-14 (or more characters in length)
- a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Does not contain easily identifiable personal information such as home address or birthday.
- No simple words or passwords like p @ 44w0rd
- Unique passwords for each and every account
- changes every six months
That’s a lot, especially if you have dozens of accounts. Even if you create your own passwords, retraining them every six months will quickly become a problem. Password manager removes the problem from your hands and completely eliminates the possibility that the keystroke recorder can find out your password.
All the keystroke recorder can detect is the master password for your password manager – and without other correlating information (or even knowing that it is being sent to the password manager), it’s just useless.
Check out the options in this list. There are other features like Apple Keychain, but it’s not secure enough to be worth considering. The four password managers above are the ones we recommend in the first place in terms of overall security and convenience for the average end user.
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