If you’re like me, you’re sick of passwords. It’s not just the amount you have to remember, but also knowing which ones are secure and how many times you can reuse them before they become compromised. Not to mention the fear of security breaches and the nightmare that is password recovery.
Luckily, there are tools designed specifically for this problem — password managers. Since I started using a password manager, my life has become much easier. Now, I can manage my passwords and never have to remember them or write them down somewhere insecure (like on post-it notes). If you’re not using one yet, read this article to find out why you should.
1. Password Managers Generate Strong Passwords Automatically
I know the frustration of trying to create a password that’s hard to crack but easy for you to remember all too well. I’ve tried every trick in the book, like using acronyms and adding numbers at the end, but they’re never very secure.
Password managers take all of the guesswork out of creating strong passwords by automatically generating them for you. And you don’t have to worry about password reuse because your password manager will only auto-fill passwords that are unique to each site.
2. Password Managers Store Your Passwords Safely
Before I started using password managers, my idea of keeping my passwords safe was to write them down on a piece of paper and put it in my desk drawer. However, if someone were to break into my house or office, they would have easy access to every password I’ve ever used.
Password managers don’t leave anything to chance. They encrypt your passwords and usernames with a master password that only you know, so even if someone were to break into this file, they wouldn’t be able to access any of your information without knowing the master password.
So, if you’re the password on post-it notes kind of person, it’s time to make the switch to a password manager. You’ll be much more secure, and your passwords will be at your fingertips anytime, anywhere.
3. You Can Transmit Your Passwords Safely
If you save your passwords on a piece of paper as I do, you probably go through either one of two processes when trying to transmit your passwords. You either manually type them into the computer or go the “copy and paste” route if the password is saved somewhere on your device. Neither method is safe.
With the first approach, you run the risk of someone seeing your passwords as you type them in. And, if you use the “copy and paste” method, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong – you might accidentally paste the password into an email or chat window instead of where it belongs.
Not to mention, malware infection may give an attacker access to all of your passwords, regardless of how you try to protect them.
This is where password managers come in. A good password manager will encrypt your passwords and save them in a secure location. And when you need to transmit your password to a website, the password manager will do that for you – automatically and in a way that prevents anyone from seeing your actual password.
Plus, if you ever get locked out of one of your accounts, most password managers have features that allow you to reset your passwords without ever having to know them.
4. Password Managers are Effortless to Use
I’ve been using a password manager for years, and I can tell you that it’s effortless to use. In fact, after the initial setup process, most password managers “work” in the background without any input from you.
The only thing you need to do is remember your master password, and the password manager will do the rest.
Plus, most password managers have handy features like autofill and built-in browser support, making logging into websites a breeze.
Therefore, if you’re the kind of person who has dozens of accounts, you can trust password managers to make your life easier.
5. Password Managers Use “Zero-Knowledge” Technique
I know what you’re are thinking – isn’t it dangerous to put all my passwords in one place? Won’t the developers have all access to my password? Isn’t this just another way to freely give people access to my information?
I get your concern. I thought the same, and I was reluctant to try out password managers. But I assure you that this isn’t something you should be concerned about.
Password managers use a technique called “zero-knowledge.” With this security feature, the password manager doesn’t know your passwords because they are stored encrypted on your computer or mobile device. This means even if someone breaks into their database of user data (which is unlikely, they still wouldn’t be able to access your passwords.
6. You Can Sync Your Passwords On Multiple Devices
Another thing I found downright frustrating when managing my own passwords was that I had to remember each password when using my laptop, phone, or work computer.
This is no longer an issue with password managers because you can sync your passwords between all of your devices. This way, you only have to remember one master password to access them all.
Wrapping Up
You don’t have to go through the hassle of coming up with strong passwords and trying to remember them all. Password managers make it easier than ever for you to keep your digital life secure without having to waste time coming up with complicated passwords or memorizing each one.
And one thing I appreciate about password managers is that they are constantly updating their security features to stay ahead of the latest threats. So even if a hacker manages to get your master password, they won’t be able to get into your account without additional authentication like a fingerprint or facial recognition.
I highly recommend using a password manager for all of your online needs. They are definitely way better than writing them down or using the same one for all your accounts. So give it a try and see for yourself how much easier your life can be!