I’m a password expert – and these are my top five tips for picking the right password manager
If you’ve never used a password manager before, trying to choose the right one can be a very daunting task.
There are so many features to consider and it can be very difficult to decide which ones are most important to you.
That’s why I’ve put together these tips on the top five things to consider when choosing a password manager.
Encryption
The type of encryption a password manager uses is one of the most important factors. It can have all the features in the world, but will fail if it doesn’t use a good encryption algorithm.
Most password managers use an AES-256 encryption algorithm, which is the industry standard. AES-256 is perfect for many threats we face today and is even considered secure against quantum decryption methods which, at present, are not yet technologically viable.
But some encryption methods go even further. xChaCha20, for example, offers better performance compared to AES-256 encryption algorithms, especially on mobile devices.
Autofill
Now, it’s one thing to be able to store all your passwords securely, but quite another to be able to enter them on a website or app without hassle. A reliable autofill feature is one of the most important factors to look for in a password manager.
There’s nothing worse than going to a login page and having autofill not work, especially if you use best practices for each password. Having to go back and forth between an app and a login page is time-consuming and extremely frustrating.
The only thing worse than autofill not working is when it works, but you were tricked into going to a phishing page. It may look identical to the real thing, with a URL that looks almost right, but an insecure autofill feature could pass your credentials to a hacker.
That’s why you should choose an autofill feature that does more than just enter your credentials. It should be able to recognize when a phishing page or questionable login is about to occur and refuse to enter credentials.
Synchronization
Having your passwords available on every device is essential in the modern world. You may not always have access to your phone to check your passwords. This is why having a powerful sync option is essential for a password manager.
To reduce friction when switching between devices, many password managers offer a web browser extension that syncs your passwords between the app and your browser. To make the best choice, choose a password manager that supports synchronization across a wide range of browsers, operating systems and devices.
Authentication
This is an important issue to watch out for in today’s world. You can have all the best security tools and features, but still fall for a well-crafted phishing email. This is why apps that support phishing-resistant authentication are so popular.
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra step in the login process, but it’s worth doing if it prevents bad actors from accessing your account. A hacker could have your exact username and password combination, but a good authentication method will keep them out.
Authentication comes in many forms, from push notifications and SMS codes to biometric scans and physical security keys. A good password manager should offer authentication support, or even provide an authenticator app.
Password support
Passwords are not the be-all and end-all for account security. The world is gradually moving towards passwords.
Access keys are the next logical step in account security. Rather than using a series of characters, access keys rely on cryptographic key pairs to verify your login attempts. Access keys are verified using biometric data such as a facial scan, fingerprint or PIN, and are immune to phishing attacks.
The problem right now is that not all organizations, websites, and password managers support passkeys. We are currently in an intermediate phase between the two, but the final plan is to remove passwords completely.
So, while we make the transition, it’s important to use a password manager that has good support for passkeys, including autofill, multi-device support, and sharing.
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds.
