No one can remember every unique, strong password or passkey that you need to navigate life online safely. Here’s how a password manager can help.
From banking sites to dating apps, you need different login information nearly everywhere you go on the internet. Creating unique and strong passwords can get tricky fast. Some people use simple passwords that are easy to remember, and others memorize one complex password and use it everywhere online. Either option is a recipe for disaster in the form of identity theft or an account takeover, so don’t do it. Instead, use a password manager.What Is a Password Manager?
How do you currently store your passwords? Chances are, you memorize just one password and use it for every login. The easiest way to get out of this poor protection habit is to take some time to try out a password manager and create new, strong, and unique credentials to use around the web. The good news is that most password managers take only a few minutes to set up.
Password managers are apps that generate new, random passwords for all the sites you visit. They store these credentials for you in a secure virtual vault. Then, when you visit a site or open an app where you need to log in, the password manager automatically fills in your login name and password. The best password managers can generate and store passkeys for all your accounts, so you can start leaving usernames and passwords behind for good.
Most password managers also offer to fill in personal information on web forms, like your name, address, and credit card number. This can save time during checkout when making a purchase online. Some password managers can also store important documents or other private information, like safe codes and medical data, in the vault.
The best password managers let you know if your existing passwords are weak, reused, or have shown up in a data breach. The apps usually contain a section in the Settings or Security menu to help you improve your password hygiene by suggesting new, strong, and unique credentials for every login. We recommend changing your password generator settings to create passwords that are at least 20 characters long and include all the major character types: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
