The Best Password Managers of 2021
The Best Password Managers of 2021
Let’s face it, you probably have a few more passwords than you’d like. When the internet first started off, you probably only had a few passwords to remember… Maybe you had your email account password, your computer login password, an instant messenger password (remember those LOL?). Back then, things were simple.
Today? Well, let’s just say that the average internet user probably has anywhere between 15 and 20 different passwords to remember for different apps and platforms. Granted, some platforms allow you to log in using your Google or social media account. However, even these passwords still need to be remembered!
So, how is any one person supposed to stay on top of all of these different passwords, usernames, and login information? Simple- by using a secure password manager.
In today’s post, we’re going to take a look at how password managers work and why you might need one. We’ll explain how they work with VPN networks, and how password managers can help keep your accounts safe from malicious hackers.
For those interested, we’ve also included a list of the 6 best password managers on the market for 2021! Isn’t it time that you made your life a bit more simple and secure?
What Does A Password Manager Do?
If you’re still writing all of your usernames and passwords on a Microsoft Word file and storing it on your laptop, then you may as well be living under a rock. No, seriously, we’re here to show you a much better, faster, easier, and more secure way of storing and managing all of your various usernames and passwords.
Enter the password manager.
So, what exactly does a password manager do? In a nutshell, it’s a piece of secured software that integrates across your devices and stores all of your login information for various sites, platforms, and websites. All of these passwords will be secured with one, single, strong password.
Whenever you go to log into a site, your password manager will pop up and request you to input your master password. Then, it will do the rest of the work and auto-input your username and password into the site or app you’re trying to log into. How simple is that?
Are Password Managers Secure?
Ahh… The first question that most people have about password managers is the most important to address. Namely, “Are password managers secure?”
As it turns out, they are COMPLETELY SECURE! This is because all of the top password managers on the market utilize AES military-grade encryption for their users’ main passwords. This means that a brute force attack would take over 4,000 billion years to penetrate it and guess your passwords.
The only way that somebody could guess your master password is if they were close enough to you to know your password (or if you accidentally told somebody). However, if you’re afraid of this, then you can always enable two-factor authentication for your master password.
This will send you a text or email notification whenever somebody is trying to log into an app with your master password. So, in a worst-case scenario, if somebody did guess your password, they still wouldn’t be able to access your password manager without having access to your phone.
The Best Password Managers of 2021
So, now that you know a little bit about how password managers work and why they’re secure enough for you to trust, here are some of the best password managers of 2021. All of the software on this list comes highly rated and recommended, so you just have to figure out which one you like the best and go with it!
- Keeper: Keeper is a business-oriented password manager that’s designed to manage remote employees. If your employees need access to sensitive sites, then you can get them all signed up with Keeper and give them a single, unique master password they can use to access all of your business accounts and services that they may need access to. They also offer a free trial!
- Bitwarden: Bitwarden also offers a free trial period. One of the things we like about their program is that they offer programs for both individuals and businesses! They also have an easy-to-use interface that’s friendly for beginners.
- LastPass: If you’re looking for a great free/starter password manager, then this is it. Their free version offers password storage, card storage, and allows you to create secure notes. It also features a strong password generator you can use to secure your accounts. They also have a premium/paid version if you want to take advantage of extra features.
- 1Password: 1Password is a simple password manager that can be used for individuals, families, or businesses. We really like the fact that they offer a family plan that you can get your kids (or parents) involved with. Often the younger or older generations don’t think about password security as much as they should, which makes them more vulnerable to data breaches and hacks. A $5/month family plan is a great investment that can save you and your family tons of headaches in the future!
- Samsung Pass: If you have a Samsung smartphone, tablet, or laptop, then you can use Samsung Pass to store all of your passwords, login information, and even credit cards! Its secured by biometric login and two-factor authentication, making it one of the more secure password managers on the market.
- NordPass: NordPass was created by the same team that bought you the world’s largest VPN service, NordVPN. It’s secured with 256-bit AES encryption, easily integrates with both laptops and smartphones, and is relatively affordable. Plus it works hand-in-hand with NordVPN, so you’ll never have to worry about your online password security.
How Are Online Passwords Typically Stolen?
One of the most common ways that login passwords and usernames are stolen is through public internet connections. Since these internet connections aren’t password-protected, there’s the chance that hackers could also be on the network. Using some rudimentary hacking software, they can gain access to every single device on the network, viewing files, monitoring their online activity, and of course, see your usernames and passwords that you enter into sites.
VPN’s Can Keep Your Passwords Secure
Thankfully, there’s a fairly simple way to prevent this from happening! Whenever you’re on a public network (and we also recommend it for private networks as well), you should use a VPN like NordVPN or CyberGhost VPN to mask your computer or smartphone’s IP address.
Essentially, a VPN will re-route your internet traffic and data through a secured server in another region or country. This makes it virtually impossible for local network hackers to see your device or gain access to the contents within.
Can Password Managers Be Used With VPNs?
Yes! Using a VPN will not affect your ability to use a password manager! The only thing that you may notice is that if you’re switching VPN servers, the password manager may require two-factor authentication to verify that somebody in another country isn’t trying to hack into your master password manager.
Do I Need A VPN If I Have A Good Password Manager?
Yes! Password managers are great for keeping your device secure from internet-based hackers or random users on your account. However, if you don’t have two-factor authentication enabled on your password manager, then a hacker on a local network could possibly key-log your input into the master password manager, steal it, and then access your other accounts.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never used a password manager before, then we highly recommend one! They’re safe, secure, easy to use, and relatively affordable. Best of all, they’ll make your life 1,000 times easier by allowing you to secure all of your passwords using one, single, main password.
When combined with a secure VPN service, your data and passwords will be impenetrable by even the best of hackers!
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