Privacy Chapter 5 — Password Managers: The Only Password Strategy That Works

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Representational Picture: Password Managers

Let’s face it—remembering passwords for the countless websites and services we use daily is a nightmare. In a world where the most common password is still "123456," it’s clear that many of us aren’t taking password security seriously enough. This is where a Password Manager comes to the rescue. If there’s one tool everyone should use, it’s a Password Manager.

A Password Manager helps you generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. You only need to remember one master password, and the manager takes care of the rest. No more struggling to recall passwords or resorting to easily guessable ones. These tools can also autofill your login details, making the sign-in process quick and hassle-free.

Using a Password Manager has many advantages. It ensures your passwords are strong and different for every site, reducing the risk of all your accounts being compromised if one password is breached. Strong, unique passwords make brute force attacks—where hackers try every possible combination to guess your password—nearly impossible (a password of 15+ characters with a combination of numbers, characters and symbols will take millions of years to crack). It also securely stores sensitive information like credit card details and important documents, all protected by a single, strong master password. This makes the life of hackers much more difficult, securing your online presence against password breaches.

While browsers and iCloud Keychain can store your passwords, they come with drawbacks. Browser password managers can be vulnerable if your device gets compromised, and they lack the advanced features of dedicated password managers. iCloud Keychain is great for Apple users but doesn't offer the same level of cross-platform compatibility or advanced security features. Password managers like Bitwarden, NordPass, 1Password, and Proton Pass offer much more comprehensive security and convenience.

If you’re not ready to invest in a paid Password Manager like 1Password, Proton Pass and Bitwarden are fantastic free options. They offers strong security, open-source transparency, and cross-platform compatibility. With Proton Pass and Bitwarden, you get features like secure password generation and autofill. Combine it with Ente Auth or Proton Authenticator for 2FA and you have a great setup for remembering your passwords, all without spending a dime.

For those willing to pay for enhanced features and support, there are excellent options like 1Password, and Proton Pass (Paid Tier). Each of these offers robust security, ease of use, and additional features. The convenience of remembering just one master password for all the digital security needs is unbeatable.

With the release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia, Apple introduced a standalone Passwords app that consolidates all your saved iCloud Keychain passwords, passkeys, and 2FA codes in one place. The app provides seamless access across Apple devices and is secured with Face ID on iPhones and Touch ID on iPads and Macs, making it convenient for Apple users. While it’s not as feature-rich as dedicated password managers like 1Password or Proton Pass or Bitwarden, it offers a solid option for those fully committed to the Apple ecosystem and do not want to invest in any Password Manager.

Advantages include deep integration with Apple devices, strong security with biometric access, and automatic syncing across devices. However, disadvantages include limited customization, fewer features compared to third-party managers, and no support for non-Apple platforms, making it less ideal for users with mixed-device setups.

In today’s digital world, using a Password Manager isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. It’s the first step towards ensuring your online security is as strong as it can be.

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Chapter 6: 2FA & Passkeys →