When you input your password online, does your Internet browser pop up a message asking if you would like to save it to their password vault? Maybe it even saves your password automatically and looks something like this…
Browser-saved passwords may offer convenience, but security-wise, they fall short compared to a dedicated password manager.
Secure password managers can be apps or extensions that you use to keep track of your log-in credentials. Some even have extra features, like dark web monitoring services or safe storage for personal identifiable information, and financial data. There are password managers to fulfill a variety of needs.
Why is a password manager better than saving your credentials directly to your Internet browser?
For starters, password managers tend to have much stronger encryption practices, like Advanced Encryption Standards, thereby making it extremely difficult for hackers to crack into your account even if they steal the encrypted data itself. All criminals will have is unreadable, scrambled tokens, which are useless without the master key.
Browsers, while also encrypting passwords and login credentials, often store the decryption key in an accessible location, thus making them much more vulnerable to malware.
Meanwhile, password managers come with their own kind of convenience: You only need to remember one strong master password to access all your logins in a password manager and keep them much, much safer. Browsers rely on your device’s login security, which is likely much weaker.
Password managers also help create unique, complex passwords for every site and account. Browsers don’t offer such guidance, and reusing passwords is a big security risk. It’s important to choose at least 12 characters that are hard to guess. Managers also tend to come with extra security features like multi-factor authentication and data breach monitoring, which respectively add an extra layer of login security beyond just the master password and alert you if your login information is exposed in a data leak.
New device? No problem! Password managers can sync your passwords securely across all your devices, whereas browser-saved passwords are usually limited to the device they’re stored on. The added accessibility helps to provide an even more secure and comprehensive solution for managing your online login credentials. Convenience doesn’t have to compromise your personal information. Password managers can protect the integrity of your online accounts while still making it easy to auto-fill your log-in information with just a few clicks.
Browsers are easier to hack and harder to control, especially if you use a wide range of devices…and even more so if they come from different manufacturers (e.g., your Android phone versus your Apple tablet). A password manager consolidates your information so you can input your information quickly, easily, and securely!
Are you concerned about the safety and security of your data? Commonwealth Sentinel can help. We offer a range of comprehensive services, including software and hardware solutions, training, and policy implementation to help reduce your risks. To learn more about how we can help you achieve peace of mind, schedule a consultation by clicking here or contact us at (502) 320-9885.