Password Managers Ease Confusion, Beef Up Security
Posted by Richard on January 15, 2019
A scary-sounding headline in the Washington Post declared: Your password has probably been stolen. Here’s what to do about it.
As much as we become numb to the latest data breaches, the reality is that it has quite likely affected every one of us in some way. One effective way to combat that threat is to use a password manager, which not only keeps track of all of your passwords and usernames in one spot but also helps you create new, unique — and complicated — passwords.
But first, a word of advice: even if you don’t sign up for a password manager, do try to improve your existing ones. And if you’re unsure, check SplashData’s annual list of the 100 worst passwords of the year. Amazingly, “123456” ranked first YET AGAIN (five years running), followed by “password” at number 2.
Tech website The Verge published an article on how to use a password manager, and listed the three most popular versions as 1Password, LastPass, and Dashlane. Though each is similar, The Verge chose LastPass because it’s the cheapest and is available on most platforms. All work on Mac or PC.
All you need is one master password to log in and then the manager stores the rest for you, though you do have to import them either via your browser or manually. You can then sync the manager to other devices, sometimes for free and sometimes for a small fee of a few dollars a month.
Each of the managers also has an audit, which lets you know how secure your passwords are and which ones are weak. And please say that you DO have different passwords and don’t simply re-use each one across dozens of sites – right?
The managers will also help you to change all of your passwords to something you’d never generate on your own.
Admittedly, the process can get a little tedious. But in the end, it’s far better than dealing with having your data stolen and having to restore your entire life back to normal.