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We’ve all been there. You are trying to create a password for a new account that meets several parameters of Strong password.
By the time you add a symbol, number, uppercase and lowercase letters, you’ve probably got a phrase that’s impossible to remember. This is just for one account.
Fortunately, Password managers It emerged as a suitable solution to this problem. This type of software enables you to create, store, and autofill unique passwords for all your accounts, without having to commit them to memory.
“Password managers are unique in that most security measures make your life a little more difficult, (but) a password manager doesn’t do that,” he says. Anne CutlerVice President of Global Communications at Security guard.
Password managers are an essential tool To enhance your online security and make your life easier. But it is not a completely foolproof solution and has some limitations that you should be aware of.
Here’s a breakdown of how password managers can, or can’t, protect you.
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What does a password manager protect you from?
A good password manager can protect you from many threats. This is important because passwords are key to your online life, financial resources, and even your very identity.
Here’s what a password manager can protect you from:
1. Weak and reused passwords
Weak passwords are easily hacked by cybercriminals using Brute force attacks and credential stuffing. Sometimes, cybercriminals can find a password on the dark web and try to use it (or variations of it) against many of your different accounts, Cutler says. These are known as reverse brute force attacks.
A password manager protects against these risks by creating unique, strong passwords for each account that are saved and automatically filled in every time you need to log in. This greatly reduces the chance of a cybercriminal cracking your password, and even if they do, it limits the damage to a single account.
2. Phishing attacks
Amazon has spotted three fraudulent emails sent by cybercriminals trying to impersonate Amazon.
Phishing attacks They are especially sneaky because they can manipulate you into clicking on an illegitimate link or logging into a fake website that may steal your information.
Cutler says a password manager’s autofill function can protect against this because the password won’t autofill on an illegitimate URL.
For example, if you have a bank password saved, the password manager will fill it in only on the bank’s official website. If you accidentally click on a phishing link to a fake banking website, your password will not be autofilled, protecting you from being hacked and alerting you that something is wrong.
3. Keylogger and other spyware
This is how a keylogger works – a cybercriminal can see everything you type on your keyboard.
Another strategy hackers use is to secretly track your keystrokes or computer activity to find out and steal your passwords. You may not even know you’re being tracked, and “this threat is very real,” says Cutler.
This is where the autofill function comes in handy again. Logging into websites with Autofill requires no typing, so there are no keystrokes for a hacker to see.
4. Reveal stored passwords
You may think that it is enough to store all your unique passwords in a spreadsheet or on your device. But this still leaves you vulnerable, because if someone gains access to these documents, either by stealing your device or accessing the relevant accounts, they will have most of what they need to hack the rest of your accounts. In addition, it is difficult to type secure 16-character passwords by hand.
A password manager saves you effort and keeps your passwords more secure by locking them in a protected vault that only you can access.
What doesn’t a password manager protect you from?
Despite the many advantages of password managers, they still have some limitations. Here’s what you should be aware of:
Make sure that your password manager’s master password is extremely secure. If someone steals it, they can access all your other passwords. Yes!
1. Hack your master password
Password managers store all your passwords in a secure portal that you access using a master password. In theory, if someone Steal your master passwordThey may be able to hack your password manager and access the rest of your passwords.
But password managers have some protection against this, too, Cutler says. If you enable multi-factor authentication (which requires you to verify an SMS code or use an authenticator app), your master password alone will not be enough to access your account.
Some password managers also require verification of any new devices trying to access your account, or limit login attempts, which are additional supports against hackers, Cutler says.
2. A lackluster password manager
Not all password managers are created equal, and some will be more secure than others.
If your password data is not properly encrypted, for example, this could make you more vulnerable to being hacked by the software provider that stores your data. Cutler recommends looking for a password manager that is fully encrypted, or uses a “zero-knowledge architecture” where data is encrypted and decrypted locally on your device, rather than on the company’s own servers.
Some password managers have been compromised by viruses or other types of malware, exposing sensitive customer information. In 2022, for example, hackers breached a popular password manager LastPass I was able to access some user data.
CNET editors have tested and reviewed Password management services And I found it Betwarden To be our top choice overall, with open source code that allows people to constantly search for potential vulnerabilities that the company can then patch.
3. Social engineering attacks
When all else fails, cybercriminals sometimes target human vulnerabilities, not technology. These typesSocial engineering“ Attacks attempt to extort credentials and other sensitive information from people, often under the guise of social media gaming or other seemingly legitimate activity. They cause many types of security breaches and can pose a risk to your passwords.
When you use a password manager, there’s never a need to share your password with a stranger who asks for it – which often happens in phishing attempts.
Additionally, if you need to share your password with someone you trust, others Password managers can allow you to share them securelywithin certain limits.
However, password managers cannot protect against all forms of human manipulation.
4. Theft of physical devices
You can keep your passwords as secure as you want, but if your phone is stolen, you could still be at risk.
If you have The device has been stolenThere is a possibility that someone could access your password manager, and therefore your stored passwords.
However, a good password manager should allow you to revoke permissions from a device if you know it’s been stolen, Cutler says, which could protect against a data breach.
5. Losing your master password
The key with password managers is that they rely on you to remember one master password, which should be the case Long and complex for maximum security. But if you lose that master password, it will be a huge headache, as is the case with CNET Scott discovered Stein a few years ago.
So, whatever you do, make sure you can remember your master password.
Why you should use a password manager
Although a password manager is not a foolproof system, you are almost twice as likely to have your credentials stolen if you use one, per Recent study.
A password manager is an essential tool that solves many of the biggest security risks related to passwords. But it’s not a panacea for all cybersecurity threats you may face.
“Understand what the risks are, and know how to protect yourself,” Cutler says.
In other words: you are the last line of defense. Using a strong master password, enable Two-factor authenticationand staying vigilant against scams, you can make a password manager an incredibly effective part of your overall security strategy.
However, do not forget about other guarantees, e.g Antivirus softwareand ensure that your hardware and software are always up to date, providing the best protection against cyber attacks.