First published on LinkedIn on January 17, 2023. You can find the article there by clicking here.
Our online identities and personal information are constantly at risk in today's digital world. With more and more of our daily lives taking place online, the importance of strong and secure passwords cannot be overstated. However, as the number of online accounts, has continued to grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember unique and complex passwords for each one. This is where password managers come in.Â
Over the last two months, I have been delving deep into the world of password managers and the various options available. From free and open-source options to paid and premium solutions, there is no shortage of choices. But with so many options, it can be hard to know which one is the best fit for your needs. In this article, I will share my findings on the benefits of using a password manager and provide tips on how to choose the right one for you, specifically focusing on free options. I have been discussing this with my friends and trying to see how they feel about using a password manager app, that is not Google Password Manager.
One of the most popular password manager options available today is Google's built-in password manager. It is a free and easy-to-use option that is integrated into the Chrome browser and other Google services. It automatically saves your passwords as you log into different sites and can also generate strong, unique passwords for you.
However, while Google's password manager is a good option for many users, it may not be the best option for everyone. One limitation is that it is only available for users of Google's services and may not be compatible with other browsers or devices. Another limitation of Google's password manager when it comes to mobile devices is its lack of compatibility with a significant number of apps. While the password manager can save and sync passwords for websites accessed through Chrome, it may not be able to recognize and save passwords for apps that you have logged into via the web. This means that you would have to manually enter passwords for these apps on your mobile devices, which can be both time-consuming and risky. Additionally, it does not have the same level of security features and encryption as some other password manager options on the market.
It's important to remember that having a lot of passwords to remember is a reality of the digital world we live in. And while it may be tempting to use the same password for multiple accounts, this is not a safe practice. Having the same password for multiple accounts can put you at risk for data breaches and identity theft. With a password manager, you can easily create and store unique passwords for each of your online accounts, making it much harder for hackers to gain access to your sensitive information.
There are a lot of password manager apps that you can download and decide to store your passwords there. LastPass is perhaps the world's most popular password manager. But, lately, it has also become the most broken password manager. You have other options such as Keeper, 1Password, Dashlane, NordPass, RoboForm, and many others. What you should know before using them, is that all of those options I mentioned, don't offer or offer a very low-quality free option of password management. So, you will have to pay.
Fortunately, there's a better, safer open-source alternative, in which the free option is at the same level or already better than the premium option of other apps.
Bitwarden, a free and open-source password management solution, offers features and security that are equal to or better than many premium password management apps. One of the key advantages of Bitwarden is its flexibility and compatibility across a wide range of platforms and devices. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and can be used as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. Additionally, Bitwarden offers a range of security features such as two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and the ability to self-host.
Another advantage of Bitwarden is that it is open-source which means that anyone can review the code and confirm that there are no backdoors or vulnerabilities. This helps to ensure that users can trust the security of their saved passwords. Bitwarden offers a free version that includes most of the features of the premium version. This makes it accessible to a wider range of users, including those who may not be able or willing to pay for a premium password management app.
If you agree that password management in today's digital world is so crucial and you want to have a premium service then Bitwarden just gets better. Paying for Bitwarden gives you access to advanced security features like two-factor authentication for all devices, encrypted file attachments, priority customer support, and the ability to remotely wipe data in case of lost or stolen devices. Bitwarden's premium option is also way cheaper than other options. It costs only $10 per year.
We have briefly mentioned the two-factor authentication method for securing your accounts. Most of the options you have listed here, use their own 2FA apps, or you can connect them with outside apps such as Duo, Google Authenticator app, or others.
But, why use another app? Then, continue with Google Password management, that option is again way better than not using a such service. Go to your Chrome password management section, and manually go to each site and change the password so you will have different strong passwords for each site. If you want to step up your security game, then start using Bitwarden today immediately. It's free and easy to set up all of it. Also, try to connect the Google Authenticator app with as many apps and websites as you can. That's very important to step up your security footprint in the digital world.
In conclusion, password management is crucial in today's digital world. With the increasing number of online accounts we have, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember unique and complex passwords for each one. A password manager is a must-have tool that can help you to keep your accounts safe and secure. Don't let hackers be the only ones with the key to your castle, use a password manager and be the king of your own digital kingdom.