How often have you thought about how many accounts you have on various resources? Methods to keep in mind or store in a secret notepad under lock and key in a desktop drawer have long been outdated. It is best to write data to special security software.
Today we get rid of the habit of using the same password on all sites and choose an assistant for ourselves to store all the text that needs to be hidden from prying eyes. Where are passwords stored? Let’s tell you now. 😉
What is a password manager?
Reckless users choose passwords like “123456”, “QWERTY” or “password” so as not to remember something more complicated, but in the end they put their data at risk. Password managers have been created specifically for this.
Password Manager is a program for storing passwords and logins from accounts and secure authorization on the Internet.
Simply put, this is a kind of safe, inside which all your cherished combinations are stored (and also the absence of the headache associated with inventing access codes for each site and remembering them).
Think you don’t need such a thing?
5 reasons to start a password manager
To understand if you need such a manager, take a look at the list below and honestly answer if you recognize yourself at any point. If you know at least one thing, then you should use a manager.
- You don’t know how to create complex passwords and remember them. Therefore, you need an assistant who can do it for you.
- You have already been hacked several times after a data leak and did not have time to react in time.
- You lose notes, work contacts and other data that need to be stored in a safe and hidden place from prying eyes.
- You often make purchases on the Internet and are already tired of manually entering information from bank cards each time.
- You have a large database of logins, stretching from a bunch of browsers for many years, and you want to transfer it to a single repository.Â
Is it really safe?
Yes, you shouldn’t worry about data protection. The managers use powerful AES encryption with a virtually unbreakable 256-bit key. Such a database can only be unlocked with the correct master password. Therefore, the user needs to remember only one “master password” that opens the safe with all other codes.
An overview of the best password managers
Consider the best password managers. All services and applications in this collection have a positive user rating and are developed by companies that have been guarding Internet security for many years.
1. KeePass
One of the first free open source managers. Fans of the program have worked hard to make KeePass compatible with almost all operating systems and devices. It’s completely free, but it has all the features of other password managers for personal use. Of the advantages of a manager:
- Concise and intuitive interface.
- Supports Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux.
- Auto-typing and application passwords.
- Database Synchronization.
Cost: Free.
2. 1Password
1Password is a brand you can rely on. This manager is trusted by world-class companies: in 2019, Apple bought a license for this password manager for each employee. 1Password is good on all fronts:
- Support for different data formats for storage.
- Monitoring of break-ins or leaks.
- A notification system about the presence of weak passwords in your collection.
- The ability to use one license for the whole family or a group of friends.
Cost: 379 rubles per month.
3. LastPass
Password manager for Windows and macOS, which regularly hits similar tops. This manager has:
- The ability to quickly fill in the login and password fields.
- A password generator that generates hard-to-guess codes according to predefined parameters.
- Automatic hacking alert system to help protect user accounts.
- The ability to securely store payment data and automatically use it during online shopping.
Cost: free in the basic version, Premium subscription – 379 rubles per month.
4. RememBear
An application run by a bear. The manager is literally all overflowing with puns and is permeated from head to toe with a bearish atmosphere.
- The interface is intuitive, beautiful, understandable and at the same time charming due to the bear mascot.
- Only passwords, notes and bank cards can be stored inside.
- Everything stored in the app is protected with AES 256 encryption.
- RememBear code is audited by independent programmers.
- Where else can you find so many cool digital bears?
Cost: free for one device or 379 rubles per month.
5. Dashlane
This password manager has received the title of “App of the Day” several times in the App Store, because during the period of the product’s existence there has not been a single data breach. Benefits:
- The presence of two-factor authentication – support for such popular services as Google Authentificator, Authy, FreeOTP.
- Scanning the darknet – a complete check of each account is performed.
- Built-in VPN option.
- Ability to store other data: credit and debit cards, mini-notes, addresses and passport data
Cost: 299 rubles per month.
6. Padloc
Padloc developers regularly invite independent experts to audit and make sure their password manager is secure. But reliability is not the only plus of Padloc:
- It can store up to 50 data items for free.
- There are handy apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and even Chrome OS.
- There is a generator of complex passwords.
- Paid accounts are divided into Premium and Family, with family being cheaper.
Cost: free in the basic version, from 99 rubles per month for a family subscription.
7. Firefox Lockwise
Another password manager closely related to the browser, only this time cross-platform. In addition to integration with the Firefox browser and a basic set of functions, the list of advantages of Lockwise includes:
- 256-bit data encryption that protects passwords while syncing with Firefox browser, Lockwise app, and Mozilla servers.
- Protect passwords from prying eyes with Face ID, Touch ID and similar technologies in Android.
- Strong privacy policy from Mozilla, which is committed to online safety and responsible storage of user data.
Cost: Free.
8. NordPass
If you are new to password management programs, then it is recommended to start with this service. It combines a simple and tailored service with efficient and important features:
- Generation of codes.
- Import of already created ciphers.
- Two-factor identification.
- Encryption based on XChaCha20 algorithm and zero knowledge protocol.
Cost: from 147 rubles per month.
9. Bitwarden
An open source password manager in this collection. All information is securely encrypted so that no one can intercept it. If you wish, you can use your own server to store all codes and confidential information. In functionality:
- Synchronization with mobile devices.
- Data storage in the cloud.
- Offline storage of information data offline;
- two-factor verification when logging into your account;
- creation and storage of notes, payment card data.
Cost: Free.
10. Kaspersky Password Manager
Password manager from Russian developers. It integrates with popular browsers, supports mobile operating systems, and allows you to store tons of information, including notes and credit cards.
- Password generator.
- Various categories for storing data (“Notes”, “Applications” and others).
- Ability to disable autosave and mark sites for which autocomplete will not be used.
- Cryptographic Hash Algorithm (SHA-256).
Cost: 900 rubles per year.