5 ways a Password manager simplifies your online life

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Since the advent of the internet and technology, passwords are a norm, which tends to be a nuisance. Can you remember when people still had a one, two, three, four or even five-digit password for all their needs? But those days are gone because with data breaches and cyberattacks getting increasingly frequent, using passwords that are difficult to remember is necessary.

Fortunately, there’s a simpler solution: an application that helps users create, store and use passwords. Now let me list down five good reasons which will justify why using one is not only convenient but also beneficial to data security.

1. Never forget your passwords

Many sites now enforce stricter security standards for passwords, making them harder to guess or hack. The downside? These complex passwords are nearly impossible to remember, unlike simple ones like “password123” or your pet’s name. But with a password manager, you don’t have to worry—the app stores all your passwords, no matter how complex they are. It can also securely store other sensitive information, like credit card details and passport numbers. With multi-device support, you can sync your credentials across all your devices for easy access.

You’ll only need to remember one key password—the one for your password manager. Fortunately, you can link it to your device’s biometric ID, such as fingerprint or face recognition, for quicker access.

2. Create and store strong passwords

We mentioned it above, but it’s worth saying again: moving away from common passwords is mission one for better security. Any password like “iloveyou” or “sunshine” that’s easy to remember is also easy to crack through methods like a so-called dictionary and brute-force attacks. These common cracking methods are essentially trial-and-error-style attacks that use complex software to generate a wide variety of username and password combinations. The more common and basic your password, the easier it is to crack.

Cybersecurity experts recommend having at least a 12-character-long password that mixes letters, numbers, and special characters to protect your account information. While those can be hard for a human to even formulate, better password managers will generate them automatically and store them in their databases securely. And again, that’s all hidden behind the single main password — the only one you need to remember.

3. Automatically fill in passwords when logging in

Advanced password managers generally have compatibility with the major operating systems (phones and computers) as well as a bevvy of plug-ins and extensions for most major web browsers. With the proper password manager app and extensions configured and installed, the auto-fill feature will be enabled. Once you enter the login page for the website, the password manager will simply fill in your previously saved username and password (having already verified you’re the user via that main password or biometric unlock). This will save you time and effort as you don’t need to fill in long and complex phrases manually, or even worry about copying and pasting them.

4. Encrypt passwords and other key documents

A major advantage of password managers is their use of AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 256-bit encryption to secure each user’s password. This top-tier encryption is widely used by government agencies, large corporations, VPNs, and other institutions that demand the highest security standards.

AES 256-bit encryption is nearly impossible to crack, featuring 14 rounds of 256-bit keys. These rounds involve complex processes that transform plaintext into ciphertext, making it extremely difficult for hackers to break through. Brute-forcing data protected by AES 256-bit encryption would require technology that doesn’t yet exist and decades of processing time.

Is this level of security excessive? Not at all. The software handles the heavy lifting, ensuring that the extra protection is seamless for users. Even if the password manager’s vendor is breached—as happened with LastPass in late 2022—the attackers only obtain encrypted files that are virtually useless without the decryption key.

However, it’s crucial to remember that no encryption can protect against phishing attacks, where you might be tricked into revealing your credentials. Always be cautious about where you enter your passwords.

5. Share and manage passwords with your family

If password managers are a great convenience for individuals, that goes double when you establish a family plan. Finally, sharing access to services ranging from Spotify to Amazon to the utility company no longer involves sharing via Google Docs, text messages, email or hard copies — all of which are frustrating at best and insecure at worst. Most services include a share button that provides a copy of your password to whomever you send it, even if they don’t have a subscription.

This sharing functionality lets you maintain your whole family’s complex and strong passwords in one encrypted database. And that works whether it’s a group in a single-family home or students or elderly relatives spread across the country or around the globe. In today’s connected world, it’s crucial to involve everyone in the best online safety practices.