Most password managers are very secure and safe to use. Depending on the password manager in question, some offer more security than others. To fully understand the security of password managers you’ll first have to understand what a password manager is.
What is a Password Manager?
A password manager is a cybersecurity tool that aids users in generating strong, unique passwords and storing them securely in an encrypted vault. The greatest benefit of using a password manager is that users no longer have to rely on memory or insecure means of storage to remember passwords for all of their accounts. The only password they’ll have to remember is their master password, which acts as the key to enter a user’s password vault.
Are Password Managers Actually Secure?
While password managers are created to be secure, not all password managers are created equal. The reason the security of password managers has recently come into question has to do with the LastPass password manager. LastPass has been in the news a great deal because of a series of security breaches, including this latest breach.
LastPass isn’t new to breaches. In 2015, LastPass suffered an attack that exposed user email addresses and security information. It’s important to note that unlike more secure password managers, LastPass does not encrypt website URLs and other metadata, which can result in stolen information being used to target users who were a part of the breach.
While LastPass’s history may be concerning to hear, there are password managers that have never been hacked– one of many reasons that password managers are still a cybersecurity best practice recommended by industry and government experts alike. Understanding the security architecture of specific password managers can give users peace of mind that their passwords are secure. Remember, a good password manager protects user data, even in a worst case scenario.
What About Browser Password Managers?
Browser password managers differ from standalone password managers for many reasons. One reason, in particular, is that browser-based password managers are not as secure. Here are a few reasons why.
- A compromised browser will lead to compromised passwords. If your device were to be infected with spyware, a cybercriminal would be able to see all the passwords you have stored in your browser. Passwords stored in browser password managers are stored in plaintext, so about all the cybercriminal would have to do is access your browser settings to view them.
- Browsers are often left logged in. Most people don’t usually log out of their browsers because it’s simply more convenient to stay logged in. However, this poses a major security risk as it makes it easy for anyone to retrieve passwords saved to your browser by just getting their hands on your device. If your device were to get stolen, this makes your accounts even more vulnerable to becoming compromised.
Most people use browser-based password managers due to the convenience of being able to access their passwords. However, not many people realize that convenience doesn’t always mean security – making browser-based password managers a dangerous option for storing passwords.
What is the Safest and Most Secure Password Manager?
The safest and most secure password management solution is Keeper Password Manager. Keeper Security is fanatical about data protection and was built with security as its top priority from day one. Customers are always kept up-to-date on all the steps being taken to secure their data and the improvements being made to the user-friendly platform.
Keeper’s zero-trust and zero-knowledge encryption model ensures that all contents in a user’s vault are protected with multiple layers of safeguards and encryption. Keeper is also the most certified, tested and audited password security platform – holding the longest-standing SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications in the industry.
What differentiates Keeper from its competitors, apart from having the most security certifications, is that we implement a multi-layered encryption system. All contents in a vault are encrypted in transit and at rest, including website URLs and other metadata. This is not the case for all password managers.
Learn more about Keeper’s commitment to data protection and why it’s the most secure password management solution available. You can also get started with a free 30-day trial to begin securing your passwords with the safest and strongest password manager on the market.
Source: Keeper Security