If you’re considering using a password manager to enhance your digital security, but you’ve been skeptical… you’re not alone. Putting all your passwords in one virtual place means they’re in ONE place. If they’re stored in a cloud, then theoretically people could get the passwords if they were clever enough to hack the system, right? There are many dozens of options available for password managers, free and fee-based. If you’re considering the security of using a password manager verses not using one, then no matter which one you choose, you will absolutely be more secure. If you’re considering which password manager to choose for the most security, the answer is unique for each person based upon their needs. For example, a password manager that is highly secure and suited for a large enterprise or corporation is much different than one used for an individual. Or, a person wanting a password manager for their work computer may find a different solution than someone looking for a password manager to use on multiple devices. In addition, some password managers work only with Windows software. Others are made for Mac OS, Linux or all three operating systems. So the answer for the most secure online password manager can vary based on your situation. The thing to keep in mind is that, for any password manager solution, the whole business model is built around keeping that data safe. Unlike storing your password in a notebook on paper or in a text file on your device, password managers are designed to add layers of security regardless of which one you choose. Why use a password manager instead of using my web browser to save my login information? You can use Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, Firefox or other browsers to manage your passwords and other login information. When you visit a site, they can save your data for the next time you log in to keep it convenient. However, if someone uses your device and opens your browser, they can get into your accounts. Plus, you can’t access your account information outside of using the web browser. Most web browsers won’t generate strong passwords for you, allowing you to use insecure passwords like “123456.” Dedicated password managers have a singular goal and have been adding helpful features for years now. Ideally, this leads to better security. How does a password manager work? A password manager will record the username and password you use when you first sign in to a website or service. Then the next time you visit the website from your device, it will autofill forms with your saved password login information. For those websites and services that don’t allow automatic filling, a password manager lets you copy the password to paste into the password field. There are options for online password managers and offline password managers. Offline Password Managers Offline password managers store your passwords on your local device, and you can make a backup of your file to save in a third-party location (e.g. Dropbox or Google Drive or a thumb drive). The advantage is that your data is safe and offline, away from the vulnerability of a hacker in a cloud-based, online password manager solution. However, the disadvantage is that saving passwords offline means that you can’t sync between multiple devices. So, if you use passwords at a home computer and then go to your office to another computer, your passwords won’t travel with you. Or if you use passwords on your laptop and then want to log into an account from your mobile device, you won’t be able to with an offline password manager. One way around this availability challenge, however, is that you can store your password manager database file on a cloud service (e.g.: dropbox, drive, etc.) and access that database file from other devices. Some offline password managers let you tie the security of the database to a master password and a key file. In this way, you need both the file and the password to open the database. You could store the key file in a cloud service and the database in another cloud so that having access to one of your cloud services is not enough to start brute-forcing the database password. Examples of popular offline password managers in 2021 are: LogMeOnce KeePass Bitwarden 1Password Roboform Keeper Online Password Managers Cloud-based online password managers provide security with more versatility and convenience. If you use more than one device, you want a manager that is available across all your devices and browsers, so you can access your passwords and login information from anywhere through the manager app or its browser extension. Some provide secure storage so you can store other items too, such as documents or an electronic copy of your passport or will. They are encrypted, so even if the vault containing your passwords is compromised in an attack, the data stored inside the vault is protected with one or more layers of encryption. The online password managers use a master password to encrypt your data, and they never know your master password or store it on their server. So, in essence, the data being stored on their servers is useless to them. It’s only accessible by you, the individual vault account owner, who has a master password to log into your account. Even if they do get hacked, most online password managers use a secret key which combines with the master password to make another key, which adds another layer of security. In addition, many password managers can create secure passwords for you. This makes it convenient to ensure you don’t use duplicate passwords for your accounts, which can make your security more vulnerable. If you’re still unsure about putting your entire username and password in a manager, then just put a part of the password in there. That way, you can have some “secret key” stored in your own memory or offline files, and it’s something that must be appended to

Is it wise to use Safari’s password generator? With so many new apps and services coming out every day, it can be hard to keep track of all your passwords. Luckily for you, Safari has a password generator built in that will generate strong and secure passwords depending on the level of protection you need. If you have been using the same password for multiple accounts to make it easy to log into your web accounts, Safari can generate passwords for you that are far better far stronger and far more resistant to hackers than the passwords that you come up with. If you’re looking for even more security, however, we recommend checking out our password manager, LogMeOnce. It generates randomized passwords for each site automatically (and organizes them so they’re easy to find), syncs across devices through cloud storage or locally using Wi-Fi, stores encrypted data online with bank-grade encryption—all while being free. LogMeOnce is backed by a selection of powerful security features. In fact, it goes one step further than most of its competitors, with a range of patented and copyrighted tools to further protect your sensitive information. You can also add Dark Web monitoring with the premium options. It’s a great way to have convenience and stay safer than simply using Safari’s password generator. LogMeOnce installs into your web browser (like Safari, Chrome or Firefox). You can download the extension through the Chrome Web Store, or on the App Store if you’re on Windows or on a Mac device. ​​See How To Use LogMeOnce Browser Extension Menu for more details:

When you save your passwords in a web browser, they are automatically saved to the computer. It makes it convenient for you the next time you want to log in to your accounts. But it comes at the cost of security. It’s risky to save passwords in your web browser like Chrome, Safair or Firefox because if someone else has access to your computer, they have access to all of your accounts. It is then easy for them to change any information that needs changing. If you want to keep everything secure with your online accounts but still have convenience, a password manager is a better solution and much more secure. You can use a  password manager by installing it onto your phone or laptop. A password manager will generate complex passwords if you like, and save all of your account credentials in a digital vault. This digital vault is encrypted, and can only be accessed with a master password. You also have the option of syncing your passwords across devices. This means that whatever changes happen on one device will be applied when you log in on your other device. If you’ve been using the same password for your accounts and it has become a headache to keep track of them all, a password manager may be just what you need. A good one will allow you to create secure passwords that are unique for each account without having to remember them all. And if someone else ever gets their hands on your computer? They won’t have access to any of your accounts because they’ll only see the log-in screen. A password manager makes logging in much more convenient while keeping everything securely locked away. We can help with this by offering an easy way to try our password manager, LogMeOnce. Download it for free now, and see how much more secure you can be without compromising convenience.

How secure are password manager tools? Password managers are software applications that install onto your Internet browser, your computer or your mobile device to help organize and secure your online account passwords. How secure are these password manager tools, if you are going to trust them to store your passwords for all of your online accounts? Without a doubt, password managers are more secure than simply writing passwords on a sheet of paper, or saving them in your internet browser only. For example, most popular internet browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari) often will ask if you wish to save your passwords as you use them. This can be convenient, but it’s not secure. The reason it’s not secure is that if anyone else uses the same device you’ve used and uses the internet browser, your passwords will be stored. So if they go to log into an account, by default, they can log into your account because the browser will save your password to log you in the next time. If you don’t share your device with anyone but it would get stolen, for example, your online accounts could be extremely vulnerable if that person would use the internet browser on the device. How do password managers secure your passwords? There are multiple ways that password managers secure your passwords. Password managers use encryption to protect your passwords. Most use AES 256-bit encryption, the industry standard. It’s the encryption that is used by the military, and is virtually impossible to crack. Password managers organize and save all of your passwords, and then store them behind this layer of encryption. Secondly, most password managers will ask you to use a master password for accessing your vault.This master password is one  that only you, the account owner, know. Password managers are created with Zero-Knowledge Technology, meaning that even the software developers that create the application have zero knowledge or ability to log into your password manager account without having your master password. The third reason password managers are secure is because most of them offer the ability to add two factor authentication. This is an additional layer of security beyond the AES 256-bit encryption. Two-factor authentication means that your identity must be confirmed in two ways before you can log into your account. Without having access to both, an intruder cannot get into your password manager account. Finally, password managers have multiple features aimed at securing your passwords. Some will remind you to change the passwords regularly and evaluate their strength. Others will scan the dark web to check if any of your logins appeared online. And some will do both, and then some. What are the risks of using a password manager? One risk is that by using a password manager, you will be storing all your sensitive data in one place. Your data in a password manager could include credit card details and secure notes or files. In case of a breach, changing passwords for all accounts and blocking your credit cards might take enough time for the attacker to do damage. Another risk is that backup is not always possible. If the server breaks down, your only hope is that your provider has made a backup copy of your password manager account. This risk increases if you decide to keep your vault offline on one of your devices. Password managers can be hacked if your device is infected with malware. In this case, typing the master password will get it recorded, and cybercriminals will gain full access to the data stored. Despite the concerns in the risks listed above, good password managers are extremely difficult to compromise. The usage of AES-256 encryption, the “zero-knowledge” technique, and the possibility to use two-factor authentication make password managers a much safer and easier option than basically anything else available at the moment. Check out the password manager LogMeOnce, one of the highest-rated and most advanced options on the market, to add more security without delaying your productivity: For personal use, sign up free here. For teams, business or enterprise users, sign up free here. YouTube Video to embed once published is here:

Can password managers be hacked? Sure, there is some risk with password managers, but there is risk with almost every method for passwords and authentication on the Internet. To answer this question, it’s useful to consider password managers in relation to the alternatives, and pick the best method that is relatively secure but also usable for you. TL:DR With a password manager, you’re getting a much better security level than reusing the same passwords, using weak passwords or saving passwords on your web browser. Password managers are designed with multiple layers of security to prevent being hacked. Here are reasons why password managers are highly protected from getting hacked: Password managers rely on the assumption that the computer you are using the password manager from is secure, and that you won’t open your password database if the system you are on is not safe. If the computer you use the database from is safe, and the password safe software isn’t buggy, then they give you a relatively strong amount of security with a good amount of usability. Well known password managers have been pretty heavily vetted by security professionals. Password managers use encryption to protect your passwords, an encryption referred to as AES 256-bit. It is the industry standard, and also used by the military because of its exceptional strength. Password managers also use zero-knowledge architecture.This means they are designed so that your passwords and data are encrypted before they leave your device. After the encryption is applied, your data is stored on the password manager company’s server. That way, you can access your passwords from multiple devices, wherever you log into your password manager account. Many password managers also use a master password, which you can make even more secure by adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to log into your account. Using 2FA, you would log into your password manager with the master password and then verifying your identity with a second method. The second method could be with a PIN, or a facial scan, a thumbprint or other biometric authentication methods. As with any activity you do online, there’s no way to be 100% secure. There are several risks with using password managers. One risk is having all of your passwords in one location. On one hand, it is more efficient and convenient. On the other hand, if your password manager company’s servers became compromised, your data could be lost. To mitigate that risk, you can regularly take a backup of all of your data and save in another location. Also, if your computer or device becomes infected with malware, a hacker could exploit your data through phishing other other methods. This could happen with any device when you are using it online, whether you have a password manager or not. Keeping your device clean from malware, avoiding opening suspicious files and avoiding using public WIFI can reduce the risk of this happening. In conclusion, a password manager is very unlikely to be hacked, and is one of the most secure solutions for preventing your data from being exposed.

If passwords were not important, we would not be celebrating World Password Day every first Thursday of May. This is where people and organizations are reminded how crucial it is to create a strong password. Many people still overlook the dangers of ignoring password protection. Someone may think that their emails are not important and have their cat’s name as the password that is easy to crack. Regardless of your industry or whether you have any secrets to hide, you should always have a good password and prevent others from gaining access to your information. If you are not careful and someone maliciously gains access, you could end up having someone hack into your accounts and lock you out. They can also engage in identity theft and steal money if they can impersonate you and log into your bank accounts. If you want to stay safe online, here are tips on how to create a strong password. Creating a Strong Password Every password should be different. You need to have a unique new password for all your accounts. This is because if someone gains access to one account, they can crack all your other accounts as well if you use the same password. For instance, if a hacker can get into your social media accounts, they can also try to access your personal emails and find their way into your bank account as well if all your passwords are the same. Data Protection To create a good password, you should ensure that you always use a combination of lower and upper-case letters. You should also include numbers and special characters like “@.” If you are an employer, you want all your employees to be more careful about data protection. You should always motivate them to change their passwords and generate stronger ones. Otherwise, someone from the outside can gain access to your company’s network, cloud applications, and emails. People should also ensure that their personal passwords for social network sites should be different from their online banking or e-commerce websites. Employers should never neglect the importance of password protection because employees typically have access to company websites and apps on smartphones, laptops, and mobile devices that could belong to the business. Every login gives someone a chance to hack in and destroy your whole network. Then a competitor or someone who wants to bring your business down can access all your data and steal it from you. The names of your customers can be leaked or documents showing how much each employee is getting paid. This is sensitive information that you always want to keep safe, which is why you need to create a strong password for all your accounts. Then you should push your employees to make this a priority as well, instead of being too relaxed about internet security. How Strong Is My Password? Every time you hear about World Password Day, you should take advantage of the reminder to go over the risks of creating weak passwords and how they can jeopardize your personal and professional life. Business leaders need to go out of their way to implement security awareness training sessions or campaigns that are focused on password protection and the importance of creating a strong password. You can create posters to remind all your employees about why this matters significantly and how they can start taking steps to better protect themselves and your company online. If you are wondering how strong is my password, you are already overdue for a change. Think about your current password and how easy it is to remember. If you are able to recall it at the drop of a hat, someone else will be able to as well. For instance, many people think that using their children’s and pet’s names are great as passwords because you will never forget a loved one. However, this is the most dangerous thing to do because other people will also be aware of your favorite dog’s name and how much the pet means to you. When a hacker starts cracking your password, the first thing they will do is go through all the names and special dates that mean a lot to you on a personal level. Once they manage to crack a single password, it will be easy to gain access to multiple accounts if you make the mistake of using the same login details for everything. How to Create a Strong Password? Now that you are feeling paranoid about your internet security, it is time to start changing your old passwords to choose new securer ones. The first thing you should do is stay far away from sequential letters or numbers. For instance, never use 123456 or QWERTY as passwords because everyone does this thinking that they can outsmart a hacker. Then you should eliminate all special dates from your passwords. If someone wants to get into your system, they will go over dates that matter the most to you, like your birthday, spouse’s birthday, anniversary date, the day your first child was born, or when you bought your first property. Meaningful dates in your life are risky to have as passwords because someone can easily get this information out of you. You may not realize if a person is casually trying to find out when you celebrate your anniversary or what your favorite holiday is so they can crack a password or secret question you might have for one of your accounts. Even if someone does not directly try to ask for this information, they can easily snoop it out from your social media profiles. After all, most people openly share special occasions and post about them online. If your password is the date of your anniversary, anyone you have as a friend on Facebook can guess your password in no time. Tips for Creating a New Password The best passwords use a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers. This is often a random combination to throw potential hackers

Many business owners use random password generators to create unique but easy-to-remember passwords for their users. Generating secure and easy-to-remember passwords is important for both your business protection and your data’s safety. Yet, hackers are getting smarter by the day, with more sophisticated technology to decipher common passwords. Let’s take a look at how safe these automatic password generators are and how they can protect your business. What Is an Automatic Password Generator? Automatic password generators are computer programs which create secure passwords that are hard to guess, but with any password generator comes a paradox. If a password is easier to remember, it’s easier to guess, making it easier to have your account hacked. Yet, a good password generator will create a complex string of numbers, letters, and characters without you lifting a finger. How are you supposed to remember one of these for every online account you have? Well, there’s an easy way to do it. It involves memorizing one password, otherwise known as a master password. Using a Master Password With an Automatic Password Generator There are several advantages to using an automatic password generator. The first is that the passwords are hard to guess. The algorithms used in secure password generation technology create randomization that, although the laws of probability make it guessable, would be enough to deter even the most enthusiastic opportunist from hacking into your account. Further, the benefits of random passwords are strengthened with the right software and security. There are ways you can use these generators without compromising your security. That’s because, often, you will never see the password on the screen. That’s a deliberate move because all it takes is a computer infected with a keylogging virus (this includes the clipboard, aka “copy and paste”) or screen capture to read the password, giving the hacker access. There are two ways you can overcome these issues, and both involve extra security. Using Two-Factor Authentication Two-Factor Authentication is one of the fastest-moving advances in cybersecurity. It’s the process of having to confirm your login using an alternative method, as well as your password. The reason behind this extra layer of security is that if your password’s compromised, then the hacker would still need access to your second method, whatever that may be. This is where the generators come into play. Suppose you’re the kind of person who has the same login details everywhere. The hacker can log in to your email to grab that verification code before you do. So it would be best if you used a different password everywhere. But like we said before, how do you remember so many random strings of characters? The good news is you don’t need to because instead, you can use a password manager. Use a Quality Password Manager Password managers are the best way to store all those pesky passwords in one place. The idea behind this is that you only need to remember your master password. You can also secure these with two-factor. But it gets better. Using a password manager, you can use automatic password generators to create a different and secure password for every site you visit. Password managers have been around for quite some time. They’re starting to get the attention they deserve. Look into them, because you can manage your passwords in the safest way possible with them. Password Safety Is Paramount If it involves a password, make sure you take as many security steps as you can to make sure you’re not going to get hacked. The worst part is that some of the generators that claim to be secure are not. The best practice is to use an open-source offline generator, one built into your browsers such as Google’s Password Generator, or one built into your password manager. Other forms of two-factor authentication include using your phone or a physical security key (think like a house key). Or, you can generate special codes using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator. This is also known as TFA-2FA. What’s the Downside to Using a Password Manager? Password generators are a great solution to the problem of remembering complex passwords. Yet, if you don’t take steps to secure them further, you’re opening yourself up to some issues, First, you have to make sure the password generator itself is secure. If it’s not, then you’re opening yourself up to the same issues as using regular accounts. An attacker now has access to all your accounts rather than one in a random attack attempt. The downside to using an automatic password generator with a password manager is that security risks involve storing all your passwords in one place, like if your phone gets hacked or if someone digs through your trash. That’s why it’s a good idea to use two-factor authentication for added protection. Noticing a theme here? The vast majority of cybersecurity issues come down to neglect from the end-user. That’s why we’re emphasizing throughout this article how important it is to use extra security precautions. In nearly every case, the tool itself is as secure as can be, but it’s the failure to take extra steps that causes the issues. Use an Automatic Password Generator With Caution In summary, using an automatic password generator is a great way to keep all your passwords secure. But, it’s best used alongside two-factor authentication if the security of your data is important to you. If you’re looking to keep your passwords safe and secure, sign up for free today to LogMeOnce and never forget another password again.