![]() ![]() Compatibility: A great password manager runs on just about anything, regardless of what hardware and software you and your family use.A good password manager should offer cloud syncing so that your passwords remain accessible anywhere on an unlimited number of devices. Sync between devices (and no limits on the number of devices you can use): You probably have more than one device that you use every day, between your home computer, your work computer, your phone, and your laptop.Unlimited password storage: Any paid password manager should be able to store an unlimited number of passwords and other records, and enough free ones offer unlimited storage that you shouldn’t settle for less.Privacy: A password manager shouldn’t share data with third parties for advertising, so we check both the privacy policies and the mobile apps to confirm that they aren’t sharing data they aren’t supposed to.Security audits aren’t perfect-they offer just a snapshot of the software and infrastructure-but they are a signal of trust and transparency. But those promises of security only go so far, so we require that any password managers we recommend participate in regular third-party security audits (preferably audits that they make public) and have a bug-bounty program. A good password manager needs to use strong encryption to protect your data on your computer, on your password manager’s server, and when your data is moving between the two. Good protection for your passwords: You’re trusting your password manager with your entire digital existence, and your password manager should store your data securely.Regardless of the password manager you use, it’s important to protect your data with a strong master password-we have advice for how to do that below. Bitwarden works on the same devices as 1Password, so you can use it with any computer, phone, tablet, or browser. But the free version of Bitwarden offers the core features you need in a password manager, including the ability to sync as many passwords as you want across as many devices as you own, support for software two-factor authentication, and sharing between two people with separate logins using a two-person organization. Plus, Bitwarden isn’t as polished overall and lacks the in-app guidance of 1Password, which makes it harder for beginners to get the hang of. Sure, they're fun, but they might be collecting personal information that could be used to crack your passwords down the road.The free version of Bitwarden gets the basics right and doesn’t cost a thing, but it lacks a few features that make 1Password such a standout option, such as password checkups and 1 GB of encrypted storage (all features you can find in Bitwarden’s reasonably priced, $10-per-year premium plan). While you're at it, stay away from quizzes you see posted on Facebook that ask a series of seemingly harmless questions in order to tell you what city you should live in or what your ideal vacation spot would be. Those little, seemingly unimportant, bits of data could be used to crack your passwords. The more personal details you post, the more cybercriminals know about you. ![]() But they all agree that you should change them right away at any hint of compromise. Most experts now say that you don't actually need to change your passwords on a regular basis. Many internet browsers can also help you out with this task, though they don't always work across your various devices.Ĭhange can be good. Both free and paid options are available. Sure, that could be a lot to handle since we're recommending 16-character or longer pass phrases.Īs mentioned before, if you need help, sign up for a password manager. So limit the fallout by making sure you set unique passwords for all of your accounts. Even the best passwords can be stolen and compromised. Avoid cliche substitutions, such as using for "at" or "a," and $ for the "s." Song titles and famous quotations are also bad ideas. ![]() Don't use your birthday or another significant personal date because cybercriminals can find them easily. "Red Sox Rule" might be a great way to show your loyalty to the team, but it isn't a terribly secure passphrase. Remember: If you use a passphrase, make sure the words only have meaning to you and don't signify anything important. Throwing in a special character, such as symbols or punctuation marks, in the middle won't hurt. Random sequences of characters are best, but passphrases, such as a combination of three unrelated words, will be OK in most circumstances. At that point, you don't have to worry so much about password-cracking software. And a little effort can go a long way toward making your passwords great ones and keeping your data safe. ![]()
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