Now a days it seems like no matter what you do online, you need to create an account. With all those accounts comes the impossible task of remembering all those passwords. It is understandable why many of you (71%), are reusing password across multiple accounts. Unfortunately, password reuse leaves you vulnerable to credential stuffing.

So how do you create dozens and dozens of strong, unique passwords? The answer is use a password manager. A password manager generates, stores and autofills passwords for you. It saves you time as well as your sanity while ensuring your accounts are secured. It is a win, win. So much so that 73% of security experts use one.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions around password managers. As a result, only 24% of non security experts choose to use one. Most of the reluctance is around convenience and security. It is generally thought that password mangers are too cumbersome to bother using and they aren’t secure anyway.  Both of those assumptions are incorrect. I am going to set the record straight by debunking common password manager myths.

Myth #1 – Password managers aren’t secure

While no application is 100% secure, the odds that a password manager would be hacked is less than the odds that the sticky on your monitor will be read.  Password managers store passwords in an encrypted file that can only be unencrypted by the password used to login to the password manager. If a hacker gains access to your password file but doesn’t have the password for it, all they will see is a jumbled mess. So unless you reuse the password for your password manager or use a weak password, the rest of your passwords should remain secure.

Myth #3 – Letting my browser save my passwords is just as secure as a password manager

Unless your browser requires you to enter a separate password to access passwords it stores then no, it is not secure. Your passwords stored in your browser are linked to your browser account. That allows you to take them with you from one device to the next. However if you forget to logout of your browser on a shared device, the next person who uses the device will have access to them.  It is frightening the number of laptops that have been returned to the library displaying the last user’s passwords.

Myth #4 – Password managers are inconvenient to use

Every password manager has different features and works a little bit differently. If you find one that doesn’t work for you, try another. Almost all of them allow you to try them out for free for 30 days. Once you find one that you like, you will find that it actually saves you time and effort. You don’t have to wrack your brain to come up with strong, unique passwords anymore, the password manager does that for you. You don’t have to enter in your login credentials anymore, most password managers do that for you. You don’t have to sort through stickies to find the right password, the password manager finds it for you. You get the idea, all the annoying things you used to have to do to login to an account, website or application are done by the password manager. It makes life so much easier.

So there you have it. Password managers are secure, safer than using your browser and convenient. Most of all they make it easy for you to have a different password for every account. Now you just have to decide which one to use. KeePass is free to download and it is on all MRU workstations. However there are other web based tools that are a bit easier to sync between your devices. You can find a list of them on PC Mag’s website. I suggest that you take a look at them, compare features and pricing and then choose one or two to try for 30 days.

Unfortunately, IT Services does not reimburse you if you purchase a password manager. However, most are very affordable and can be used by your whole family.