If you are like most people, you use many passwords to access retail websites, email, social media, and other online services. Last year, a study by NordPass, a leading password management provider, revealed that the average person needs around 100 passwords – far too many to remember. That’s where the use of a password manager comes into play.
A password manager is a software application designed to store and manage online credentials. These services can help defend against cybercriminals by storing your unique password—one that’s long and complicated—for each of your online accounts. You may also choose to have a password manager generate a unique password if you prefer not to come up with them yourself. Typically, these passwords are stored in an encrypted database and locked behind a master password. Some autofill your credentials, so you don’t have to re-type each password every time you need to use it.
Not all password managers are created equal. Password management providers offering “free” services will often collect and sell your browsing data. So, make sure to do plenty of research before selecting a password manager to store all your credentials.
Follow Password Best Practices
When it comes to passwords, please refrain from using the same password for multiple sites; if one of the sites is compromised, it poses the risk that cybercriminals will have your credentials to access other websites where the same password was used.
While the right password manager can go a long way to securely storing credentials, it is no replacement for creating strong passwords. Learn more about creating strong passwords.
To learn more about password management and tips for keeping your data secure, visit the Northwestern Information Security website.