However, lately it seems like companies are being compromised more often than before and our personal data stolen. While there are many reasons why and how these breaches happen, we can take small steps to protect ourselves by maintaining strong or secure passwords.

Maintaining strong passwords can be difficult to manage, but it doesn’t have to be.
In my day-to-day, I have to be logged into at least 5 different systems at once. The company I work for also implements best security practices, meaning I can’t keep login information in a spreadsheet or unsecured file. Aside from having a SAML/SSO provider, I personally use a password manager to keep track of not only work credentials, but personal information too.

Why Password Managers?

By using a password manager, I only need to remember one password and I have access to all of my login credentials and other information that’s stored, freeing myself from having to constantly rack my brain for X site’s login information.

Password managers keep our data safer because we no longer need to keep sticky notes with our passwords stuck to the sides of our monitors and drawers or in a spreadsheet or text document, unencrypted, and extremely insecure.

As tempting as it may sound to keep login information to Netflix on a sticky note in an office, all it takes is for a visitor (who has malicious intent) to pass your desk, see and memorize what’s written on the sticky note. They then know your username and password, and can start checking services that you may have signed up for – this is one way how breaches happen.

Which Password Manager Do I Use?

I personally use 1Password and find it amazingly simple to use, and awesome to share passwords with anyone! 1Password is available on all platforms and devices and stores your information in what they call “vaults”.
You can create multiple vaults per account. 1Password is end-to-end encrypted and they never know your master password. If you forget it, or if you completely delete your account, there’s no way to restore it – your 1Password data is gone forever.

1Password not only stores login information – you also have the option to create secure notes, store router/WiFi information, credit card(s), API credentials, and much more!
On top of storing login information, you can also set 2FA where applicable.

1Password Features

Right now I have replaced Google Auth for 1Password’s 2FA. What’s awesome about it is that when I’m signing in to a site that requires 2FA, the browser extension sees the 2FA field and auto-fills the field – meaning all I have to do is proceed to logging in, without ever having copied the one-time-password (OTP).

Another great feature of 1Password is the ability to share login credentials and more with anyone that you choose – this is great for sharing Netflix logins, WiFi passwords, and a whole lot more!
Sharing can happen via a Private Link link that you share with another 1Password member via a shared vault (applicable to business or family accounts).
The other option is to create an expiring, shareable link using their Password secure sharing tool (Psst). This link expires at a pre-determined time. These options not only save time, but it also allows someone, or an organization even, to keep track of login information more easily.

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All in all, I’m really pleased with the price point and features that 1Password offers. I highly encourage you to check out their plans and if it’s not your cup of tea, at least consider using a password manager at the very least, to help better safeguard your personal data. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and found it helpful. If you feel so inclined, leave a comment or share with your circles. Have a wonderful day!