These days we have so many usernames and passwords to remember. While you could make things easy on yourself by using the same username on every website or using easy passwords, this leaves your information vulnerable to hackers. Tired of having to reset your passwords because you can’t remember them? Want to avoid writing your passwords down on paper and hoping no one finds it? There’s good news for you!
Keep reading to learn about 5 ways to manage all of your passwords, without having to memorize them. These options will make accessing and securing your data much easier than it’s ever been.
Use Your Browser
Today’s modern browsers provide a simple password management system. In Firefox you can turn on this capability using the Security tab. In Chrome you can manage passwords under the Show advanced setting options. If you have these browsers installed on your mobile device, your passwords will carry over there as well. By having your password remember your username and password, you can avoid the frustration that comes with memorizing everything.
When using your browser’s password management capabilities, computer and device security is a must. For the highest security:
- Update your browsers when prompted
- Avoid installing too many add-ons
- Protect your device with a complex password, PIN, or biometric log-in data
- Know which apps have access to your data
Using your browser as a password manager is a viable option. The key is to protect all of your devices to ensure no one gains access to your account.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication
If you’re using your browser or an app’s password management capabilities, be sure to turn on multi-factor authentication. Google, Apple, Facebook, and many other email filtering services offer this security capability. Multi-factor authentication adds another layer of security. In this case, even if an intruder has your username and password, they’d also need access to your phone.
Most multi-step verification involves sending a PIN or a passcode to your phone. Without this unique code, you’re not able to log into your account. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra step when logging in, but the added protection is well worth the time.
1Password is one of the top password manager apps available today. The app allows you to manage and create passwords for less than $40 a month. 1Password can be used on mobile devices as well as in today’s most popular web browsers. When logging into a website, the app will prompt you to save the password in its database. This way next time you login, 1Password remembers your username and password.
The app can also be used to create unique and complex passwords. This saves you time and frustration when creating passwords that have to meet certain complexity requirements. The app can also be used to store address information, PINs, and even credit cards and the associated CVV number.
If you’re a fan of intuitive design, LastPass is the app for you. The app is free to use on a single device or $12 a year to use on an unlimited number of devices. LastPass not only stores passwords, but it can also store notes and other confidential information. Like other password management apps, it uses AES-256 bit encryption and can run on a multitude of platforms including browsers and mobile devices.
One of the coolest features of the app is the ability to use your fingerprint as a master password. Using biometric data to log into the app adds a whole new level of security. No one can guess your fingerprint!
A third password management app to consider using is Dashlane. The app not only remembers your passwords, it fills out forms and even offers digital wallet capabilities. Dashlane is free to use but the company offers a premium version for $39.99 a year. This version allows you to sync login information on many devices as well as web access to your password vault.
Dashlane makes logging into platforms a breeze. You can also use it when signing up for new accounts to create and remember a complex password for you. The app uses AES-256 bit encryption and tells you how complex your passwords are.
Conclusion
The struggle of having to remember dozens of complex passwords is real. As you join more platforms, the problem only gets worse and worse. If you’re looking for a much more manageable way to log into your various accounts, keep these 5 options in mind. Not only will these methods save you frustration, they also keep your information safe and secure. What features would you look for in a password management app? leave us a comment in the section below.