- The best password managers are easy to use, have a browser extension, an app, can generate strong passwords for you (that are easy to retrieve), and work effortlessly across platforms.
- LastPass, 1Password, DashLane, and Blur are some of the best in the business.
If you're stuck in a password rut and looking to get out of it, you're in luck. We'll show you how to automate your account password process using a secure password manager. Not only will you dramatically cut down on the number of passwords that you have to remember, but all of your accounts will be easier to access and they'll be more secure, too.
Password Security
Even with 2-factor authorization set up, your accounts could still be vulnerable due to hackers now finding ways to hijack your SIM card and phone number.
Online account security is a hot topic amongst even the least tech-savvy individuals. Whether we're talking about privacy issues regarding our social media platforms, the unlawful breach of accounts containing our critical data, or keeping our entire family's digital privacy secure—most of us are very aware that crimes are being committed on a daily basis to test our security.
Nevertheless, we continue creating simple passwords that we repeatedly use throughout all of our accounts and hope that we won't become a hacker's target. For the millions of Americans that get hacked every year, that tactic isn't working.
We use easy passwords and repeat them throughout our accounts because we're constantly on the go and don't want to be bogged down with the task remembering a ton complicated terms for every account we want access to. Enter, Password Managers.
Password Managers
Password managers create, store, and encrypt your passwords. Though, it's important to note that not all password managers are created equal. Take a look at the list of important features that you should look for when you're considering a new service.
What Should a Password Manager Do for You?
Password Manager Expectations:
- Zero knowledge protocol (not even the company knows how to get into your account because the master key is stored on your device)
- It must be easy to use and learn
- It must offer a variety of 2-factor authentication methods for scaled security
- It must work across platforms: online portal, browser extension, and an app
- It must generate, categorize, encrypt, and store your passwords
- Your stored passwords must be retrievable within a few clicks (no hassle)
- The password creator needs to be customizable
Password Manager Vulnerabilities:
- Your commitment to using yours properly
- Your storage of the password manager's master password
- Your management of each backdoor into your password manager–i.e. if someone has your AppleID account information, the app can be accessed by a motivated individual
- Your commitment to accessing your account from a secure device, which means that your laptop and smartphone have strong passwords with updated software, etc.
Note: If you can commit to creating and storing a strong password for your linked App Store account and your password manager's password, along with setting up a secure 2nd-factor authentication, you should be golden.
How Do Password Managers Work?
There are a lot of great password managers on the market today, but we've chosen LastPass to show you how to properly set one up. Once you're done, all you have to do is click on the link in your browser or open your app to copy and paste the securely saved account information into each of your online accounts.
LastPass Setup
- Go to the LastPass website and install the plugin
- Create your account using a secure email account
- Create a Master Password that you will never forget
- Select "Unlock My Vault"
- Follow the (quick) setup wizard to familiarize yourself with your account's features
- Set up a Multi-factor Authentication method to ensure that the account is secure
- Go directly to your favorite online accounts using your web browser with the LastPass extension
- Log in to your account and allow LastPass to store the information that you enter
- Before you move on to the next account, go into that account's settings and change your password. When you do, allow LastPass to generate and store the new password.
- Repeat Steps 7, 8, and 9 for each of your accounts.
Note: for added security, as you change your passwords in each account, make sure to enable 2-factor authentication and deauthorize all other devices so you can start fresh.
The Best Password Managers
Using the list above, we've chosen a few password managers that we would actually use ourselves. The most important thing to remember here is that the best password manager is the one that you find easy to implement into your digital life. If you try one out and don't end up liking it, you should be able to easily (and securely) export your saved passwords to another company, then try again. Best of all, most of the companies offer a 30-day free trial, so it won't cost you anything to give it a shot.
Our Top Password Manager Picks
- LastPass
- We like it because it's easy to use, inexpensive, works seamlessly across all devices, and it offers users a bunch of options for additional security, notes, images, and more.
- It also offers a master security challenge, so you can rest assured that your account is secure.
- Passwords
- This is Apple's native password manager that's built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. We like it because it's free, is built into all of Apple's operating systems, and offers cross-functionality through the iCloud Keychain. That means every password you enter is automatically shared among all your Apple devices.
- Not only does Passwords save your credentials and passkeys, but it also monitors your password for data breaches and warns you if it's too weak or reused. It even makes it easy to share Wi-Fi passwords with other devices by generating custom QR codes.
- 1Password
- Like LastPass, 1Password is easy to use and it syncs seamlessly with all of your other accounts.
- Its Travel Mode feature is a stand-out because it provides additional password security while you're traveling. This ensures that your data is "invisible," in the event that you're asked to unlock your phone during a security check.
- DashLane
- We like the ease of use that DashLane offers, but the best thing about this company is their Site Breach Alerts, which will let you know when a site that you use has been compromised.
- It also offers a Universal Password Changer, so you can change all of your passwords at once if your own security has somehow been breached.
- Blur
- Blur offers users robust password security, as well as a ton of other features that even allow you to shop online with a masked credit card, email address, and telephone number—which is the very information that you're trying to keep private in the first place.
Note: use a Google Voice phone number or a YubiKey as your 2nd Factor for authentication. Try not to use your personal telephone number.
Stay in the WhistleOut Loop
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Lauren Hannula
Managing Editor
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