Password Manager

How many times have you gotten a reminder to update your password before it expires? Or to make sure your password contains a capital letter, number and symbol? While inconvenient at times, these are some of the crucial steps that come with keeping your personal information safe.

Choosing a weak or overused password can make it fairly easy for a cybercriminal to steal your information.¹ Instead, it’s important that you have a strong and unique password for every account. To make this possible, there are tools you can use to keep your information safe and secure - saving you the headache of remembering every password yourself. 

Tool #1: LastPass

LastPass is a popular  secure password creation  and storage center for all of your accounts. They offer both a free and premium membership as well as business plans. Their premium membership offerings vary depending on use, but they start at $3 per month for individual users.² This program can both generate and store multiple usernames and passwords in a secure vault. Your vault is protected by a master password and the program includes multi-factor authentication for added security.

It offers secure storage for text notes, syncing of credentials across browsers and access to your secure vault from any internet-connected device via LastPass.com. It will refuse to autocomplete forms on known phishing websites, and you can export your data at any time if you decide to switch to a different password manager.

Tool #2: Dashlane

Dashlane is an easy-to-use tool that features one-click password generation and the ability to store notes for the future. You can use Dashlane on your desktop, through a browser plugin and on your phone. Similar to other programs, Dashlane offers a free version as well as a premium version with unlimited sharing and syncing as well as plans for business.

Dashlane Premium starts at $59.99 per year.³ Both the paid and free versions include features like:

• Core password manager
• Autofill 
• Digital wallet
• VPN protection
• Two factor authentication

Tool #3: Keeper Security

Keeper Security also offers services beyond password protection. These include password management, dark web scanning and private messaging systems. Keeper's main target audience is large companies and organizations, but it also offers plans for students, families and individuals. Keeper Security starts at $34.99 annually for individuals and also have family and  business plans.⁴

This intuitive program offers both desktop and mobile versions with features including:

• Strong security
• Browser extension option
• Multi-platform access
• Two factor authentication

Tool #4: 1Password

Like other password managers, 1Password can be used on a desktop or mobile device. The program boasts important features like a password manager, digital vault, form filler,  secure digital wallet and authentication app. 1Password does not have a free version of its app but is a good value for the cost. All plans include, login sharing, password security tools, autofill and several extras. 1Password individual  subscription costs $3 per month ($60 a year for families) and plans for business.⁵

• 1 GB of encrypted file storage
• Travel Mode protection
• Encryption key
• Weak and/or compromised password alert

Other good password managers include:  Bitwarden, RoboForm, NordPass Free, and LogMeOnce. Regardless of what password security tool you decide to use, it’s important to keep your passwords as secure as possible. With all the different accounts you log into on a day-to-day basis, storing multiple passwords in these applications can make it much more manageable, helping you to log into multiple accounts securely and with ease.

1. https://tobininvestmentplanning.com/financial-tips/cyber-security-tips
2. https://www.lastpass.com/pricing
3. https://www.dashlane.com/plans
4. https://www.keepersecurity.com/pricing
5. https://1password.com/sign-up/