How does the password manager work?

Did you know that people who don’t use a password manager are three times more likely to have their identities stolen than those who use one properly? According to data shared by cybsecurity.org, one in every five Internet users uses a password manager to protect their information. Are you one of them? You may be wondering: how does a password manager work? Will it actually protect your data? If so, then this article is for you. Keep reading to learn how a password manager can protect you and your personal data from identity theft and cybercrime.

What exactly is a password manager?

We all know how difficult it is to remember hundreds of different usernames and passwords. Fifty-three percent of people admit that they repeat the same password for multiple accounts. However, this is dangerous because it makes it easier for hackers to attack your accounts. This is where a password manager comes in.

A password manager encrypts and securely stores passwords for every account you need to log in to. Some even generate secure passwords to save you the trouble of thinking of a good password every 90 days. To use the password manager, you will only need to remember one master password. When you want to log into your accounts, the password manager automatically fills in your login information, so you don’t have to remember complicated passwords.

The password manager also allows you to:

• Tracking different passwords for different accounts
• Access login credentials using biometrics, such as fingerprint readers or facial recognition. Sometimes these require only a master password.
• Automatically complete login information on all your favorite websites.
• Create and manage very secure passwords that are very difficult to crack.
• Data encryption for an additional layer of security.
• The password manager gives you peace of mind and freedom when browsing the Internet and using your favorite applications.

We particularly recommend the password manager: Bitwarden – available as part of the ITH Net offering and at https://kru.pl – professional hosting provider. The software allows secure storage of encrypted data in a virtual safe. An extension for web browsers is also available

Why use a password manager?

A strong password by itself is not enough to protect you from hackers and scams. According to Microsoft 365, a password manager can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a phishing attempt. You can also prevent ransomware attacks with a password manager that uses encryption and two-factor authentication.

By choosing complicated passwords and storing them in a password manager, cybercriminals will have a harder time accessing your devices.

Manager with Family Accounts offers interesting features. In addition to helping you keep track of all your passwords, it allows you to access streaming services, photo-sharing services and other interesting applications. And all this without revealing your actual password!

Online password manager

Online password manager is the most popular option. If you have an internet connection, you can access and synchronize your data from different devices. Since this type of manager relies on cloud storage, they offer less security. However, you can always choose software with two-factor authentication.

The online password manager can also be browser-based. Browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari all have a built-in option to store login information.

Take advantage of ITH Net – reliable and super-secure fiber Internet – be sure to ask about Bitwarden’s password manager and ensure your online security!

Offline password manager

The offline password manager allows you to store your passwords on your device. This means that you need direct access to your device to access your passwords. While this is a more secure option, it is not very convenient, especially if you want to access accounts from more than one device. The biggest drawback is that if you lose your device, you will also lose your passwords.

Is the password manager secure?

Yes, the password manager is extremely secure. Many of the most popular managers use zero-knowledge encryption. This prevents the password manager provider from gaining access to your data. To keep your personal information safe, a password manager uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. As an additional layer of protection, many also offer two-factor authentication.

A password manager can also help you create strong passwords that are unique and difficult for hackers to guess. The best passwords consist of at least 8 characters and contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. The more difficult the password, the longer it will take a cybercriminal to crack it.

Secure your passwords

Even with a password manager and strong passwords, you should take extra steps to ensure that your accounts remain secure and protected:

• Enable two-factor authentication for important services to add another layer of security.
• Watch out for other attempts to obtain your personal information, such as phishing or social engineering.
• Always log out of accounts if you are using a shared computer, and avoid logging into important accounts when you are on a public or shared WiFi connection.
• Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder when you enter your passwords.