Digital security is the most talked about these days. With more people working from home, having remote jobs, and starting digital businesses, the technology that we rely on and the level of security that it offers have become critical for successful operations. For nearly any digital account, unless it has anonymous access, it will require login credentials. Ensuring that your login credentials are safe and secure is just as important for the user as it is for the business that it is related to and the service provider that manages those accounts. For instance, a lapse in security in your social media account will not only affect you, but will also negatively impact the operations of the social media platform. Considering that the average internet user today is juggling multiple accounts at a time, it can get quite confusing to remember all this information. Rarely are people willing to go through the process of creating unique and secure credentials for every service they use. In most cases, it is the same credentials that are used across multiple platforms. In terms of security, this is one of the worst things that you can do. The problem is remembering all these login credentials, and if you can’t do it on your own, a password manager can help solve this problem.
If you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, you probably see a window that often pops up asking to remember your credentials for that particular site when you log in. It’s convenient, but it is far from safe. A good password manager does the same thing, it stores your passwords, but the way in which it does the job is very different. Here is what to look for if you are considering a proper and secure password manager rather than your browser’s extension.
1. Price
Browser-based password managers are not bad because they are free; they are bad because they are part of the browser. The browser itself is prone to cyberattacks, it’s not the most secure platform, and it just isn’t a place where you should be storing critical information, like your credentials. There are a number of free password managers out there that offer some very good features. However, there will always be some kind of trade-off when using free services. When it comes to security, you should always invest in an appropriate solution. Paid password managers aren’t that expensive.
2. Data Storage
When you are using a password manager, the main concern is always the level of security that the platform offers. There are two main components to security; where the information is stored and how that information is protected. The information will either be stored on the cloud, on external servers, or locally on your systems. Each has its own pros and cons but when it comes to enterprise password management, you might want to look at each solution in a bit more detail. The operational style of the organization also plays a role in this decision. If the business is a physical office or store where employees use the systems, it will be more efficient to have an onsite solution. Cloud solutions work better for remote teams and organizations that are spread over large physical distances.
3. Security Measures
When you give your credentials to a password manager to store, the software often creates additional layers of security on that data to increase protection. This could be in the form of encryption, where the data is mutated into an encrypted format so that even if someone is able to penetrate the defenses, they will have access to unusable data. The password manager can also add additional layers of security such as multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication, and even single-entry passwords. Another very useful tool that password managers have is the password generator. Since you don’t have to worry about remembering a password, why not create the most powerful password that you can?
4. Compatibility
If you are using a password manager only for your desktop computer, you might not have to worry about this, but if you are like most people who are using multiple devices, it’s better you get a solution that works across all those devices. However, if you are looking for the most secure working environment possible, it is highly recommended that you have separate devices for work and for play. This way, you can ensure that your work device is not exposed to additional threats and have better control over the security solutions you can use.
There are a few basic digital safety rules that everyone should follow regardless of the situation. One of the major tenets of this strategy is to use a VPN to protect your online identity. Especially if you move around a lot and connect to the internet from many different networks, making sure that you have a secure connection is very important. This way you can minimize the overall risks that you get exposed to. In fact, most cybercrimes are committed by breaching the network rather than breaching a website, service, or software.
