We all know that passwords are not the perfect security measure as most people’s passwords are weak, easy to crack, and offer little protection.
Hackers love passwords because most passwords are easy to crack. There are dozens of ways for crooks to learn your password and use it to hack your computer, steal your data and commit identity fraud.
Passwords do not work because most people do not have the time or inclination to change passwords regularly. In addition, many people have a hard time remembering their passwords and because of this choose weak passwords that make hackers’ work easier.
Why do you need a Password Manager?
If you use passwords, you need a password manager because you are human.
Most human beings do not have the time or inclination to change their passwords fast enough to thwart hackers. In addition, most people cannot remember a hard-to-crack password.
A password manager; on the other hand, will automatically create long and random-generated passwords. That will not stop all hackers, but it will make it harder to steal your data.
Most crooks will move on to a new victim if they discover your password is hard to crack. There are millions of potential victims out there; and most criminals would rather search for easy pickings, rather than do the hard work necessary to crack a strong password.
Plus, password managers thwart data thieves by making the passwords they steal worthless. If you use a password on a regular basis, criminals will guess or steal it at some point.
- Password Managers Create Long Complex Passwords
A password manager is an app that automatically generates a new password for an online or social media account.
A manager stores a password and replaces it regularly. Most managers generate long and complicated passwords at random to fool the bad guys.
They design password managers to solve the two major problems with passwords. The first problem is that many people cannot create complex; and hard to guess, passwords. Most password managers generate complex passwords at random.
The second problem is that many people will not change passwords regularly. Changing passwords thwarts hackers because older passwords are more likely to be in crooks’ hands.
Changing the password makes the hacker’s job harder because he or she cannot steal and use your old passwords. Using a password manager could strengthen your passwords and make them more secure.
- Password Managers Save You Time
What most people do not realize is that Password Managers make you a lot more productive at work. They automatically detect what website you are using and retrieve the right password and can even automatically log you in.
That is time saved trying to remember the password and time saved typing the password into the website.
Finally, you save time by not having to reset your passwords when you forget them.
- Password Managers Really Protect Your Data
Some password managers contain excellent security measures that add an extra layer of protection for your data.
A fingerprint scanner could keep a crook who steals your phone from stealing your data. Password generators make hacking harder by regularly changing your passwords. Dark Web Scanning could spot nefarious use of your data and catch or deter crooks.
Merely adding security will deter some crooks because they have to work harder to get your data. Stronger encryption can make hacking and data theft harder.
Password managers, in the final analysis, offer an excellent layer of extra security. Adding a password manager can your accounts safe and secure.
How to choose a Good Password Manager
A good password manager offers several strong security features that most of us need.
The most important password manager feature is the random password generator. Changing your password regularly is the best cheap security measure most of us can take.
A second vital security feature is the two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is important because it adds a second layer of security on top of your passwords. The best two-factor authentication features force you to identify yourself regularly.
Two-factor identification and random password generators combat one of the greatest threats to security: old-fashioned laziness. Most people are too lazy to follow good security procedures such as changing your passwords or identifying yourself.
Article originally posted here: 10 Great Password Managers Tested