Mike Schertenlieb
As you build your presence on the Internet, creating social network profiles, signing up for various memberships sites, and maintaining at least one email account, trying to manage a host of passwords and usernames can become a little maddening.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of password management solutions, available both as software and web-based services, for a relatively low cost. Some of the web-based password management solutions are available free of charge.
In fact, most web browsers have a “remember password” feature, and for some, this might be all the help they need. For others with passwords and usernames piling up around them, a more robust service may be in order.
Obviously, security is the top priority when selecting a password manager. Most programs of this type protect your collection of passwords by way of a single, very secure master password. The quality of this master password is of the utmost importance, regardless of the service you are using. The master password protects a vault of your information, and should incorporate all of the standard password best practices.
The most popular password managers like LastPass, PassPack, and a mass of other services offer web-based password storage, allowing users to access their accounts from any device in any location. Other software-based password managers boast the ability to run from a flash drive for “plug and play” style portability.
Selecting a password manager that fits your individual needs (and budget) is a personal choice, though web-based LastPass has consistently stellar reviews and a reputation for ease of use. It also offers free service, with upgrade options that compete with services offered by many of its competitors. LastPass, however, has had some security issues in the past year.
RoboForm is a particularly popular Windows-based option, just as 1Password is for Mac OS users. These software-based managers, however, generally carry a price tag of $29.95 and up.
With any password management system, users run security risks. By using a singular password to protect all of the others, the eggs are all in one basket.
Keep this in mind when choosing what’s right for you, and put great care into the security of your master password. With a little care, you can have a secure, streamlined solution for a mountain of login information, and take steps toward a generally more satisfying user experience.
Want to learn more?
[su_button url=”https://longerdays.com/2018/01/01/take-a-tour-of-our-features/” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#2F6690″ size=”10″ center=”yes” radius=”6″]Take a tour of our features![/su_button]