I often get the question which password manager is best to use? That’s difficult to answer because it can vary per person. However, I can explain how you can best determine which option suits you best.
Because you may not know what is possible with a password manager and therefore may not know what to look for, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out.
Ask someone you know who might know a bit more about it (while keeping personal preferences in mind).
Ask ChatGPT. You can ask questions such as: “Can you provide some commonly used password managers? And explain it in Dutch?”
Use Google (or whichever search engine you use). Keep in mind that comparison sites may sometimes promote specific products.
Compare costs (what do you think it’s worth).
Check what additional features are included. Think of VPN, TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords), Dark Web Monitoring (which investigates possible hacks of websites where your information may be at risk), etc.
Ask several people around you what they use. If you then choose the same one, you can often turn to several people for help (assuming you make your own assessment of how handy these people are ;).
Compare: So, after your research just compare the products and go for it! As you can see, I am biased with Dashlane, but also challenging you to compare products yourself 😉
Why use a separate password manager? Your phone often has its own password manager. Using a dedicated password manager can offer various benefits for managing passwords and improving your online security compared to the standard password manager on your phone. Here are some reasons why:
Improved security: Password managers generally use stronger encryption to protect your passwords, which is typically more secure than the encryption used in the built-in password manager on your phone. Moreover, dedicated password managers offer additional security features, such as two-factor authentication (MFA, 2FA), that provide extra protection to your accounts.
Compatibility: across different platforms: A dedicated password manager can be used on multiple devices (computer/laptop, phone, and tablet) and platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android). This allows you to access your passwords from any location and ensures that you have a backup if you lose or break a device.
But password managers are sometimes hacked too, right?
Yes!, that’s correct! When that happens and you are using the affected password manager, it’s important to find out what information has been compromised in the hack.
Follow the instructions of the provider who may come up with mitigating measures. After this event, determine what you will do. Do the mitigating measures suffice, or will you switch to a new password manager.
Matching benefits of both dedicated and built-in password manager:
Easy password management: A password manager can simplify the process of creating and managing complex passwords, making it easy to generate strong, unique passwords for online accounts. This can save time and frustration and protect accounts from hacking.
Automatic filling and form filling: Many password managers have a feature that automatically fills in login credentials for websites and apps, saving time and reducing the risk of human error.
Overall, a dedicated password manager can provide more security and convenience than the built-in password manager on your phone. It is important to choose a reliable password manager and use it in combination with other security measures, such as two-factor authentication (MFA, 2FA) and strong passwords, to protect your online accounts.
When you have choice paralysis … remind yourself that we are actually driven crazy by the wide variety and FOMO. When a product meets your basic needs, you don’t have to be afraid that you might miss a feature. In the end… does it really matter? 😉
Robert
My pick for the password manager…
Dashlane when using this link you get 6 months of free premium access.
Why?
It has an easy to use interface (personal prefference).
It supports multiple platforms (IOS, Android and plugins for multiple browsers).
You can unlock with Biometric, Yubikey (and other hardware keys) or TOTP in combination with a Master Password.
Dark Web Monitoring Automatically monitor for compromised passwords and immediately address at the organizational level.
And more….
NEXT POST: Chosen a password manager, now what?
Often, it is thought that using a password manager means you are safe. However, it is just the beginning ;). And I am going to help you with this in my next post!
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