Ideal guide to password managers

How forgetting passwords can be a good thing

Do you have a problem remembering your passwords and looking for a secure method to keep them? Password managers like LastPass, Dashlane, and others would be a great option for you.

Remembering unique and strong passwords can be cumbersome and challenging. And that's why most people end up using sticky notes and notes app on their mobiles, which is the worst idea ever.

Passwords are sensitive, and you should keep them safe to avoid being hacked. Writing them on a piece of paper or mobile's notes app for you to remember is a big risk.  Anyone could get access to them and get into your accounts without your consent.

o avoid that, you need a password manager, which is an encrypted digital vault for storing login credentials used to access applications on websites, mobile devices, and other services. A password manager does not only keep credentials, user identities, and sensitive data safe but also generates strong and unique passwords.

This way, you won't reuse them across your services and devices, thereby avoiding breaches. Although most people use old passwords because managing them is challenging, it's not a safe practice. And that's why having a password manager is highly recommended.

Why you need a password manager

It's pretty simple- a password manager does the following:

  1. Remembers and chooses your passwords for you.
  2. Protects you from all kinds of phishing attempts.
  3. Secures auto-filled passwords as needed.
  4. Saves PINs, credit card numbers, and CVV codes.
  5. Saves answers to security/challenge questions.
  6. Saves form-fills and notes for other data that you would wish to keep safe.
  7. Automatically changes your passwords with a single click.
  8. Creates emergency and authorized users' access codes.

In short, a password manager is an ultimate solution in terms of convenience and security. For that reason, everyone should be using it. But how do we select from a variety of password managers out there? This guide simplifies that for us by going through different password managers while highlighting their pros and cons.

Each password manager offers unique services, so your decision will depend on your needs and the devices you use. However, you're assured of finding the best from the list below.

LastPass 

LastPass is an incredible password manager with free and paid (premium) features.  It's well-known for its free version, and most people have heard of it. After creating a master password, go ahead and import all saved login credentials from Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. LastPass will then help you to delete details from your computer for its safety. Some of the free features offered by this software include free credit monitoring, password auto-fill, two-factor authentication, and even multiple identities. If you opt for the premium version, you'll enjoy additional features like the ability to sync your mobile phone with your laptop/computer.

Pros:
  • It has a usable free version
  • Can work across all devices
  • It does not risk device keys and passwords by sending them over the internet
  • The free version offers two-factor authentication and credit monitoring
  • The paid version comes with a 1GB encoded cloud storage
Cons:
  • Its popularity makes it more vulnerable to hackers
  • It has a terrible UX
  • The difference between the paid version and the free version is almost the same. But this is a problem for the company.

Dashlane 

If you are looking for a straightforward and intuitive password manager, Dashlane would be the right choice for you. With just a few clicks, it can change several passwords across multiple sites. Besides, It is boosted by the two-factor authentication. Even though it's a recent password manager, it has applications for almost every platform.

Pros:
  • Its interface is simple
  • It can store passwords either locally or in the cloud
  • Contains a VPN
  • In case a site is hacked, it can reset passwords automatically
  • Has a digital wallet to track and make purchases at online retailers
Cons:
  • You'll need to pay a fee to sync passwords over several devices
  • It is expensive for those already with a VPN
  • Doesn't work so well with internet explorer

Keeper security password manager

Keeper provides many password solutions for personal use, family, business, and enterprise. It's among the leading scalable password managers you can get today.

Pros:
  • It has numerous practical features
  • It supports a wide range of devices
  • Protects you in the event of breach by locking other people out
  • Offers one-tap authentication
  • With keeper, you can designate an emergency contact
Cons:
  • It takes a lot of time to change a password
  • It’s quite expensive
  • The free version can only work on a single device
  • Its functionality is limited on Chrome OS
  • You have to type master password all the time because it does not have PINs for accessing apps

1Password

1Password is an excellent password management tool offering password and username storage, dependable password generator, an intuitive user interface, and secure sharing. Additionally, the software has a digital wallet that securely saves all credentials including network passwords and credit card details.

Pros:
  • Can deactivate devices remotely
  • All passwords are stored neatly by category
  • It has a travel mode feature to lock down passwords while taking a device overseas
  • Runs in almost all platforms
  • Creates random passwords as well as passphrases
Cons:
  • It does not update passwords
  • Doesn't support internet explorer
  • Only imports passwords from RoboForm, Chrome, Dashlane, and LastPass
  • Requires a separate extension for every browser you use
  • Does not capture logins from two-pages

KeePass

Unlike other password managers, KeePass does not store anything on the cloud. If you handle extremely delicate data and you're a bit paranoid, then KeePass is the right choice. It provides extra security and it’s completely free.

Pros:
  • It's an open-source software making it more transparent
  • It's completely free
  • Offers an app for iPhones
Cons:
  • Hard to understand for non-technical users
  • You can easily find unencrypted data in the memory which is not safe

Zoho Vault 

Zoho Vault is a great password manager to organize your passwords while keeping them safe. It is most helpful if you take your laptop to work from home. Its main feature is to let you separate personal and work master vaults and passwords.

Pros:
  • It has a free edition
  • Can import from popular password managers like LastPass and Dashlane
  • Its password strength reporting is really good
  • Does not mix personal passwords with work passwords
Cons:
  • Does not allow two-page logins
  • No unusual browsers
  • On weekends there is no tech support
  • Doesn't support form-filling
  • Cheaper than other password managers
  • Password capture feature is unreliable

Final thoughts

There are many more password managers available out there, but this guide covers what you might need depending on your devices. Some have features you might need others don't, and some provide higher security than others. So, the best choice depends on what you need.