Password Managers

So if you are anything like me then you would have had countless password resets due to forgetting them or the re-use of passwords, which not only is not safe but is also not cool! However, I went through many years of using the same password with different variations. It wasn’t until all of the big data breaches that it started to scare me. Big sites like MySpace (what is a MySpace?) LinkedIn, Adobe, Dropbox, and tumblr have had large data breaches with “sensitive data” being stolen. Fyi if you didn’t already know there is a website called have ibeenpwned.com which allows you to check if you have an account that has been compromised in a data breach.

So what’s the solution?

There are many solutions to this issue of forgetting passwords or reusing them. One is to completely rid yourself of all internet use (not the most practical), two is to use a pen or paper (again not cool or secure) or you can use a password manager. When I first used my chosen password manager I hated it! the thought of one provider having access to all your passwords (then again the NSA already have them all) and then I forgot my master password and wanted to cry. However, I solved these issues and now I don’t go a day without using it!

Password managers

LastPass

So there are plenty of different password managers available to use all of them have the same base functionality, however, they all differentiate in what features they possess. My personal favourite is LastPass it offers everything I need and there is a free version however I use the premium version. LastPass has loads of different functions including; password storage (obviously) password generation, secure notes, and form fill. The password generator is a brilliant tool to which it will generate any combinations of password that is needed or wanted and then saves it to that site with the username also, so the next time you go to log in, it’s all ready for you. Having the ability to have passwords synced across multiple devices is what needed I am constantly on different devices. But my main favourite is being able to access LastPass on my phone, so if I don’t want to login to my LastPass on a device I can just use my phone and access all my passwords from there. It also has a 2-factor authentication where you can use google authenticator or a yubikey for the added security feels.

DashLane

Dashlane is another password manager and is much like LastPass, actually a lot like LastPass the only difference I can witness of my very vague view is that the price is higher with it being $39.99 instead of LastPass’s £12 annual fee.

KeePass

KeePass is slightly different to the other two password managers other than it being open source. it doesn’t offer an off the bat cloud version and is restricted to the one client. However, you can make it into a server of your own which if you want to keep all your passwords to yourself then this might be your best option.  I myself am a bit of a UI freak and I love pretty UI’s to which KeePass much like many open source programs is not pretty, to which is one of the reasons I didn’t choose KeePass.

Conclusion

I would recommend to anyone and everyone to use a password manager, not only does it save time but also adds more security unless you can, of course, remember a random 16 character password for every website that you may use. Not only are they simple to set up but there is tons of support if it is needed.