5 reasons to use a password manager

May 2, 2024 Emma Shergold Recent Posts All Posts Life Coaching Mental Health Neurodivergence Office Management Run Coaching Sports Massage Virtual Assistance My response to: “So, what do you do?” How to set your own goals What makes me a good life coach 5 reasons to use a password manager There is no such thing as Blue Monday Receiving a middle-aged autism diagnosis How to set successful New Year resolutions 6 tips on staying hydrated Categories Life CoachingMental HealthNeurodivergenceOffice ManagementRun CoachingSports MassageVirtual Assistance Business Support Office Management CRM/Database Management Email Inbox Management Bookkeeping Event Support Website Management Email Automations Project Coordination Access Support Life Coaching General Life Coaching Transitional Life Coaching Exercise & Fitness Coaching Diet & Nutrition Coaching Run Coaching Business Coaching EV Sports Sports Massage Beginner Running Course Return to Running Course Fundamentals of Running Course Run Coaching Qualifications & CPD Business Management Diploma Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Mentoring & Coaching Skills Psychology of Behaviour Change Life Coaching & Mindfulness Diploma Advanced Personal Training Diploma England Athletics Running Coach Gym Instruction Nutrition & Weight Management Nutrition for Sport & Exercise Circuit Training Pilates Fundamentals Pre and Post Natal Nutrition Pre and Post Natal Massage Sports & Remedial Massage Diploma 5 REASONS TO USE A PASSWORD MANAGER In today’s online world, keeping track of all our passwords can feel like trying to remember a hundred different keys. That’s where password managers come in. They’re like digital safe boxes for your passwords, making it easier to manage and protect them. With cyber threats everywhere, using a password manager is like putting a lock on your digital doors, keeping your accounts safe from hackers. In a world where I live so much of my personal and work life using online software and systems, using a password manager isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential for keeping my data secure. I can also create separate folders and vaults for my clients’ passwords too within the same password manager. 5 REASONS TO USE A PASSWORD MANAGER 1. You only need to remember one master password Just having to remember one password makes life a lot easier when you use a password manager. This one password unlocks access to all your other passwords stored safely in the manager. No more struggling to recall different passwords for different accounts. It’s like having a single key for all your digital locks, keeping things simple and secure. 2. Increased security Unlike storing passwords in your browser or writing them down in the back of a notebook, password managers offer an extra layer of protection. They use advanced techniques to secure your data, making it nearly impossible for hackers to crack. Plus, many password managers offer features like two-factor authentication and secure sharing, adding even more security to your accounts. 3. Helps stop the use of duplicate passwords Using the same password for different accounts might seem easy, but it’s risky. If one account is hacked, all your other accounts are at risk too. That’s why it’s important to use different passwords for each account. It’s like putting locks on different doors – if one lock is broken, the others stay secure. With a password manager, you don’t need to remember all your passwords, which makes it more convenient to choose a different one for each account. 4. It generates strong passwords for you Password managers can make strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Instead of struggling to think of them yourself, these tools create passwords with numbers, letters, and symbols that are hard for hackers to crack. By creating passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess, password managers add another layer to your online security. 5. Improved efficiency Of course, I couldn’t not mention efficiency. As password managers work on all your devices, like your computer, phone, or tablet, it removes the time needed to locate and type out lengthy passwords each time you log in somewhere. They keep your passwords synced so you can access them anywhere you need to. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or out and about, your passwords are safe and easy to find. They also come with an internet extension which can be added to your browser to easily log you into your desktop accounts. HOW TO CHOOSE A PASSWORD MANAGER There are a lot of different password managers out there, each with their own perks and features. I have listed a few that I am aware of and/or have used myself, but with so many options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you, so it’s important to do you own research and choose one that works best for your needs. It’s also a good idea to research each one for reviews and any breaches. Some people are put off by data breaches and others take the view that they now have even more robust systems in place. Bitwarden This is the software that I use. One of the main attractions for me is that I can use it on more than one device on the free version. There is also the option to upgrade to an organisation and share passwords with other members of your team. LastPass This is another popular password manager. I used to use it, but switched to Bitwarden when LastPass removed the access across multiple devices on the free version. Keeper Keeper is a popular password manager with other Business Managers and Virtual Assistants, although I haven’t personally used this one myself. SUMMARY I hope this has been useful, but please remember that although password managers can greatly improve your online security, they’re not fool proof. Be careful when choosing one, and make sure to pick a trusted provider with strong security features. Keep your master password safe, as it’s the key to all your other passwords. It’s also a good idea to review your password manager regularly and use extra security measures like two-factor authentication. While password managers are helpful,