{"id":6812,"date":"2024-07-11T07:22:44","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T11:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/?p=6812"},"modified":"2025-03-18T14:29:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:29:09","slug":"how-to-choose-a-password-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/software\/how-to-choose-a-password-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose a Password Manager: 8 Things To Consider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Between work and personal life, it\u2019s believed the average person has about 255 passwords to juggle between accounts(1)<\/sup>. With so many accounts to keep track of, there are many issues that can come about. Recycled passwords between the same email address means if one account is compromised, others can be as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you track so many passwords and accounts? When you forget a password, you have to reset it, and if you\u2019re not tracking this information, you may lose the updated password. That\u2019s where a password manager can help you keep track of all of your accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How Do Password Managers Work?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Password managers are designed to unburden you with the stress of remembering and sharing passwords. They\u2019re perfect for personal use, families sharing account information, and companies with many accounts to manage between staff. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Password managers are simple to use and provide a secure way to track all of your logins with extra features for added security. A password management tool stores all of your login information securely in one place. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intention is that you only need to manage that one account to have access to all of the accounts you manage. Instead of remembering 100 passwords, you only need to remember or keep track of your one master password. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a password manager, you get access to other tools to help make your accounts secure. These features are all important to consider as they can be beneficial enough to sway your choice of vendors. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the things you should be considering when choosing a password manager.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>1. Strong Encryption<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Security is likely the top consideration when choosing password management software. Every password management software should offer encryption of your data through something like AES-256-bit encryption(2)<\/sup>. This strong encryption ensures your data is protected and, in the case of a data breach<\/a>, will not likely be decoded.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With super strong encryption, you may even feel comfortable storing other important data commonly used across other sites. Information like credit card details and special notes can be stored within many password management software. They can be a central place to store information you use in your personal and professional life. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many password management companies may also offer something like a storage vault. This vault is an encrypted space to share sensitive data and files directly with another person or to keep as general safe-keeping. In the same way you\u2019d use a vault or safe to protect physical things, you can use a digital vault to store information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>2. Two-Factor Authentication or Multi-Factor Authentication<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Authentication is a highly effective way of protecting your accounts. A password manager that offers MFA or 2FA is a good sign to look out for. This method of protection has become increasingly common because of its ability to protect the most sensitive accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two-factor authentication is the most common method, and it accesses an account using your login credentials and external verification. This can come in the form of a call, text, or email that provides a secret pin. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This increasingly common method does have a flaw that is exploited by some bad actors. Scams exist in which someone can trigger a code and ask you to provide it to them, pretending to be from the company or as a means of completing a transaction. To combat this many companies set their authentications to expire in a very short window.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) may require even more steps before allowing access. This can include more proof of who you are through biometric authentication. Most commonly, fingerprints, facial recognition, voice recognition, or eye scanning are used. These added layers of protection mean that even if someone had your master password, they wouldn’t be able to access your database.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>3. Browser Extensions<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another default to keep an eye out for is browser extensions. The password manager you pick will likely have this feature to provide an easy login experience. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A browser extension works by detecting the website you\u2019re logging into and further helps manage your password experience. For many, this can be a necessary and expected feature that helps save time and is a key feature for password management.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browser extensions may be available for some platforms but not others. Some companies may offer apps for mobile devices. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See what is offered by the companies you\u2019re considering to see if they offer browser extensions and what features are included. Some extensions likely offer more features than just credential management, such as secure credit card and payment handling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>4. Password Generator<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A good password management tool will also help you generate strong passwords. When creating online accounts or updating your information, this can be another key tool to utilize. A stronger password means you\u2019re less likely to have that account breached by someone guessing. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong password generation goes beyond adding special characters and numbers to your current password. A strong password has the following elements:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n