While I am extremely diligent about password security here at the office (we all are!), I admit that I still have work to do at home. Just this week I had an alert that a frequently used password of mine was found on the “dark web”. As I began to dig into the sites that I used this password for, I realized a lot of them were logins that were set up years ago, and that many of them were for sites that I no longer have a use for. A project this week will be to disentangle myself from those accounts.
However, it did impress upon me the urgency to take a look at my personal password situation for sites I use more frequently. I know that while some have a good strong password, many do not. For a long time, I was hesitant to create a bunch of passwords that I wouldn’t remember.
A password manager can remember all of them for me and keep them secure. It’s just a matter of setting aside some time to get started. I love this quote from Wired magazine:
Password managers are the vegetables of the internet. We know they’re good for us, but most of us are happier snacking on the password equivalent of junk food. For nearly a decade, that’s been “123456” and “password”— the two most commonly used passwords on the web. The problem is, most of us don’t know what makes a good password and aren’t able to remember hundreds of them anyway.
We shared a Tip of the Month in 2023 about password managers. This is an updated version of that post. Hopefully it will inspire you (and me) to get our personal passwords in order!
What are password managers?
While different sites might operate in slightly different ways, a password manager generally keeps all your passwords in a “vault” which is accessible with a single sign-in. It adds a layer of security by generating secure passwords and keeping them safe and secure in a singular location. You can even add layers of security using two-factor authentication! These sites are wonderfully useful in taking the hassle out of creating and keeping track of all your important passwords.
What are some options?
How does it work?
You create an account with a login and “master password”. Most applications have a free options for personal use. You can add features by paying a small amount each month.
Then the manager can autofill your other passwords directly on your phone or computer.
You can create folders to categorize and keep track of all passwords in one secure location
The “generate password” feature can be used any time you need a new, secure password and it will save that information into your vault
What about using the password manager on your web browser?
Most web browsers (Google, Firefox, Safari) have a simple password manager. This article from Consumer Reports shares that this option is a better one than reusing the same weak password over and over. However, there are added benefits to using a separate password manager, including additional layers of security, shared access with other people in your family, and the ability to access your passwords no matter which internet browser you’re using.
Ways to make the most of password managers:
Use shared folders. Depending on the subscription, you may have the ability to share your vault folders with another trusted contact or family member, which is great for families who share login information.
Keep your master password somewhere secure. This could be somewhere in your physical files, or written into your estate documents in case someone needs to access your information in an emergency.
Autofill is your friend. This feature is very useful for saving time when logging into different sites.
Consider using it to store other information. Many password managers also give you the ability to store other information you’d like to keep secure, such as notes, copies of important documents, or copies of your passport or I.D.
Want more information?
We use Dashlane at our office, but any one of the services listed above has plenty of resources and guides that can teach you how to make the most of your password manager. The Wired article linked above does a nice job of highlighting the pros and cons of the different applications. If you have any questions or would like to know more please reach out to our office via phone or email.
This post was originally authored by Brogan McKay.