Password managers: Is choosing the right one easy?

Password managers: Is choosing the right one easy?


A password manager is an essential digital security tool that protects access to your sensitive accounts, data, and resources.

Choosing a good password manager is your first barrier to avoiding being hacked, but you need to know which one to use and which one is secure. Discover the key features that differentiate the best password managers. And protect your passwords and other data from loss with security software that specializes in data breaches. A password manager allows you to manage all your passwords without worrying about remembering them and keep them safe from hacking, which is the most important thing. In addition, good password managers suggest passwords that are not weak and are more difficult to access. If you use long, unique passwords for each of your accounts, a password manager will keep track of all of them, so you won't have to worry about memorizing them. Plus, you won't have to write them down anymore, a password manager will take care of all that for you. With a secure password manager, you can assign each of your accounts its own unique password and you'll only need to remember one: the master password that your manager unlocks. Once you start using one, you'll quickly realize that a free password manager is one of the most useful digital tools ever developed. We manage a large number of passwords on a daily basis and managing them is complicated. We also make mistakes in companies by reusing the same passwords for different accounts and websites. This is a somewhat dangerous habit and one that we leave in the hands of "cybercriminals" to attack using the technique of "credential stuffing": it is nothing more than checking users and passwords in a database of stolen credentials, to gain access to user accounts. So after this, how can I choose and make sure that a password manager is secure and which one should I choose. Most password managers include standard security features, such as weak password detection, password generators and two-factor authentication; while essential, some password managers provide more robust security features that further enhance your protection.


Types of password managers.

The most common password managers have their applications in the cloud and are accessed through any browser. No matter, which manager you choose, you will have to create a unique strong master password that will be the one that will protect you from everything stored in the cloud and by which you access all services.

From here you can add all your existing accounts and when you sign up for a new service you can store your own passphrases or opt for a password generated by the tool itself, which comes with this functionality built in and allows you to create random, long and secure passwords. Once you want to log in to any of the services you use, in the case of cloud-based administrators, the tool itself will automatically fill in the credentials to simply log in.

If you are hesitant to entrust your passwords to cloud-based applications, you can opt for a password manager hosted on your computer that will store all the information on your device. In fact, you can choose from a variety of open source managers, which provide many of the same functionalities as their cloud-based competitors, albeit often with a more modest interface design. But what these applications may lack in terms of aesthetics, they make up for in features.

Another option you can opt for, in addition to cloud-based and open source solutions, are the managers included in some of the most popular endpoint security suites, such as ESET Smart Security Premium, which represent a suitable option to help users manage and secure their login credentials.


1. Multi-factor authentication.
Certain applications and sites, and all secure password managers, use 2FA (two-factor authentication) or MFA (multi-factor authentication) to verify your identity. 2FA requires two sources of proof, such as a bank card and a PIN, while MFA uses two or more.
These proof standards are classified as "something you know" (such as a password), "something you have" (such as a physical security key) and "something you are" (such as your fingerprint). Each login credential must come from a different category for 2FA and MFA to succeed.


2. Secure password generator.

Check that the password manager you choose has a secure password generator. Remember that passwords always have to be long and complex and this should be created by this manager. The most secure passwords will avoid password cracking techniques, and your passwords should be unique for each account you have. The easiest thing to do is to use a password generator that automatically generates them, look at Avast's example, it generates free random passwords and see how easy it can be to get a password that will leave any hacker speechless.


3. Secure multi-device synchronisation.

We all use several connection devices, sometimes in the office with a landline, at home with a mobile phone or on the road, and even alternate with an iPad. It is very important that these administrators are adapted to all devices and are synchronised. In this way, if you lock a password on one device, it will also be locked on all the other devices you own. Inconsistent or non-existent synchronisation will negatively affect the usability and effectiveness of your password manager.


4. Hacking alerts.

All passwords, even the most secure ones can be hacked. If the manager you use has a free hacking verification tool, it will show you if any of your passwords have been compromised or stolen. According to Cibernews in a recent article, with reviews from companies and users, this is the list of the top rated password managers this year 2022.





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