Why you need a password manager

Published : 2017

Keyboard with crumpled sticky notes showing old and new passwords - which is a security risk and why you need a password manager

If you’re wondering why you need a Password Manager, even after notable and big name breaches and hacks that seem to make the news almost weekly; I’ve got you covered with a short explanation.

And if you prefer to watch videos, scroll down and click play.

What is a Password Manager ?

It’s a tool that you use to Store, Create and Manage Passwords across your accounts and multiple devices.

How do they Work ?

On a browser , you will install a plugin to the browser that will prefill the passwords for you , when you are logged into the Password Manager.

They are also available as apps across most smartphones and tablets, where you will be able to copy the password from your Password App and use in a mobile browser or app. There is usually a time limit on the app version , which will delete the password from your clipboard after a minute or so.

Why do you need a Password Manager ?

  • It’s hard to keep track of all your passwords
  • Re-using passwords is not a good idea ( but we do it because of the aforementioned point re how hard it is to keep track)
  • They can randomise passwords ( ie you only need to remember 1 password and all the others are random anyway)
  • You will never need to reset a forgotten password again ( provided you haven’t lost the login or saved the wrong password to start with)

My top 2 recommendations :

Mac  users – 1Password (https://1password.com/) , which has a much slicker UI and works better on Mac than LastPass.

Windows users : LastPass (https://www.lastpass.com/) works well across windows environments, also has a decent app for the iPhone and iPad – the Mac experience is a bit clunky

If you found this useful, you might want to brush up on How to spot a Phishing email at : https://rockingrose.technology/spotting-a-phishing-attempt/