Overview
A password manager is an application that securely creates and stores passwords and can often store other information, such as credit card numbers. A password manager allows an individual to create, store, and access many passwords and other information from multiple trusted devices while needing to remember only one password - the password to access the password manager application.
Features of a Good Password Manager
Good password managers will:
- Create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts
- Provide your password when you visit the related website
- Sync your passwords between your trusted devices
- Monitor lists of known compromised passwords and warn you if your passwords have been compromised
- Protect your passwords with strong encryption
Advantages of a Password Manager
Stronger passwords and fewer passwords to remember
It is common knowledge that for the best online security, you should use a strong password and a different one for every account you access. Most people have dozens, if not hundreds, of accounts they need to secure with passwords - email accounts, bank accounts, school or work accounts, social media accounts, etc. Trying to remember many passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters is hard, especially when using random passwords. As a result, people often use shorter passwords that barely meet security standards. Worse still, people tend to reuse the same password across many accounts and, when they need to change passwords, make very minor changes.
By allowing a password manager to generate and remember your passwords, the only password you need to remember is the password to your password manager.
More secure
Using a password manager to generate and store your passwords encourages you to use unique passwords for each account or website. You do not need to reuse the same password across multiple sites or accounts. Passwords are stored securely and encrypted.