Why you should seriously consider using a password manager

The one annoying thing about online activities is the numerous passwords you will need to log into all these sites.

If you are one of those using the same login details everywhere, 2023 is the year you need to STOP doing that. Because of the spike in online transactions including financial ones accelerated by the pandemic, hacking activity has likewise stepped up. You really do not want someone to illegally obtain your login details and have immediate access to all your digital assets.

Writing them down in a notebook or worse, as a note on your phone, unencrypted, opens you to a lot of risk in case the notebook or your phone is lost.

What should one do? There are just too many passwords to remember. Answer: Use a password manager.

I have been using a password manager for close to 10 years and it has really made my life so much easier. Based on my personal experience, here are some reasons why I think everyone online should be using a password manager, free or paid.

#1: You only need to remember ONE master password

A master password is the one that opens the password manager. It really is the only one that you will need to remember so remember to create a very strong one.

Some ways to create one are by association. You can put together a phrase consisting of numbers and words you can personally remember but they should not be related to each other. Then replace some of the characters with numbers or symbols. For example, instead of an “a”, you can use “@”; an “i” can be a “1”; an “o” can be “0” (zero).

Word of caution: You must not forget your master password since the password manager does not store this on their site. If you forget this, your content may no longer be accessible.

#2: Easily generate very strong and random passwords

Password managers have built-in password generators that create random passwords. This way, each website you log into can have its own unique password.

What makes a strong password are the following attributes:

• Length – the longer, the better.
• Combination of upper- and lowercase letters
• Numbers
• Symbols
• No dictionary words

One password manager, BitWarden, created this Password Strength Test Chart to illustrate the level of difficulty it takes to crack passwords depending on their length.

Personally, I generate passwords that are over 20 characters long. The only time I use shorter ones are if the website concerned places a maximum password length shorter than 20 characters. In those cases, I create a password with the maximum length allowed.

#3: Biometrics add another layer of protection

Many sites now utilize biometrics to authenticate the user. Most of the top password managers now give you the option to use biometrics to open it up. That gives you another layer of protection since only you can open the app on your phone. Be sure though to check your settings so that the app does not stay open too long after opening.

#4: The autofill feature can help log you into websites and apps

Most passwords manager have an Autofill feature that allows the password manager to automatically fill in your login details on the website. This saves you from manually typing in your password (which can be a hassle if you are using a long and strong one). Of course, another option is the Copy-Paste feature which all password managers have.

#5: Your passwords are securely encrypted

Those who are against the use of a password manager are often afraid that once the application is hacked, all their passwords will be readily accessible. Actually, your paper notebook or password file on a Word document is more risky because it is not encrypted. Anyone who gains access to these will immediately get a hold of all your passwords.

Password managers use the strongest encryption methods. Most of them support the latest AES 256-bit military grade encryption, which uses a 256-bit key length to encrypt and decrypt your passwords securely. Even the password manager company cannot see your password. The data you put on your device is encrypted before it is sent to the company’s cloud.

#6: Easily change passwords

In case of a data breach and your password is compromised, a password manager can easily generate a new strong password. Some password managers can even reset your passwords with a click. As a rule, I try to change my passwords annually and usually do it over the Christmas holidays.

#7: Sync feature across multiple devices

Most password managers let you sync your passwords across multiple devices and operating systems, even on a free plan. This makes it easy for you to log on with the password manager, no matter where you are.

#8: Secure password sharing among family members

Under family plans, family members are assigned their own ‘vaults’ where their personal passwords are stored. Each family member has control over his/her own vault so your private passwords are not shared with the others.

There are so many password managers to choose from. Just google search terms such as “best password manager 2023” and you will get several articles listing down the authors’ fave password managers and reviews of each. Personally, in our family, my kids and I use different password managers. We have tried Dashlane, 1Password, and BitWarden.

Maybe at some other time, I will write about my personal experience with the ones I used. Don’t wait too long. Having your digital accounts broken into by nasty hackers is not a joke and will be a lot of hassle for you.