Mailboxes, cloud servers, online work software, social networks… Companies and individuals use dozens of different sites every day and must try to remember as many passwords as possible. Passwords that are sometimes too easy to guess, never changed or used or on several different websites. This is where password managers come in.
How does a password manager work?
It has several features:
- First, it allows users’ passwords to be stored, either on the cloud or locally. This eliminates the need for users to remember dozens of different passwords: a single password is enough, it is called the master password. It is indeed this one that will protect all the data stored in the password manager, by applying a unique encryption to them. Your employees and collaborators only need to remember one password, even if they manage a multitude of accounts. This prevents the storage of passwords in plain text on a notebook near the desktop computer or the loss of passwords during team changes.
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The password manager is also able to generate new passwords itself. In this case, no more brainstorming to choose your password correctly. It is the manager who does the work for you and generates a strong password. For companies, this functionality is a must because it makes it possible to better secure access to websites or business applications (for example) that could contain sensitive data.
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The password manager analyzes existing passwords. Are the passwords you or your employees use really secure? The manager is able to retrieve the passwords used in your browser, classify them and alert you if a security breach is detected. Thus, you will know if it is appropriate to change immediately of if you can wait.
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Finally, some managers offer to synchronize passwords between several devices (computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.). It is therefore possible to use the same manager on different terminals. This avoids having to enter your IDs again when changing devices.
In other words, the password manager is a tool for organizing, managing, storing and proposing secure passwords. There are several password managers on the web, in paid or free versions: Dashlane,1Password, LastPass….
My technician advises you to be well informed about the services offered before making your choice. To help you, here are some questions to ask yourself before choosing a password manager: will the database be hosted online or locally on your computer? Will the manager be able to measure the strength of the passwords chosen? Does it have two-factor authentication? Does it automatically fill out web forms? Does it provide regular updates?
At Mytechnician, our team is at your disposal to give you advice on password managers adapted to your needs and the risks to which you are exposed. Do not hesitate to contact us.