How familiar are you with the “Forgot Password” button when logging into an online account?
If trying to manage your passwords drives you crazy, you are not alone. Surveys have shown that at least 58% of computer users loathe using passwords and those who do use them do not use them well. The aversion to passwords is so pronounced that in one survey 17% of the respondents favored watching paint dry over dealing with them, and another 10% would sign up for a root canal if they never had to manage passwords again.
While 70% of consumers are worried about cyberattacks, they seem unaware that the biggest source of those attacks is poor password management. Password management can be such a hassle that often it’s easier to reuse different variations of the same password for everything, even our most sensitive information.
Here at CyAs Tech, we have better options than dental torture when it comes to your cybersecurity. The answer is pretty simple and we can help you with two words: Password Manager. A password manager is an application that can be put on your phone, tablet, or computer and stores your passwords so you don’t need to remember them! You log into the password manager app using one ‘master’ password and then gain access to all your login information.
Here are five reasons password managers are helpful and will change your computing life:
1. You don’t need a good memory
Password requirements are getting more and more demanding, and those requirements are getting more and more diverse. The average computer user has 85 password-protected accounts. To really remember every effective password you need is almost impossible! Get a password manager instead and free up storage space in your head.
2. A password manager is after a sticky note
As much fun as it is to hunt down a lost sticky note with confidential credentials, we encourage you to find a more reliable filing system. Password managers use complex security encryptions and protect your data under 24hr surveillance. You can’t get much safer than that!
3. Your passwords are generated for you
Password managers have the ability to generate a complex password for you so that every account you have has its own unique login info. Not only are these encrypted passwords virtually impenetrable, but you no longer need to stress out your imagination for creative password concoctions!
4. Quick and accurate login
You no longer have to fumble whenever you come to a log-in screen. Within your password manager copy & paste functions will help you log in to all your accounts in seconds. Say goodbye to the “forgot password” button because that toxic relationship is now over!
5. They hold more than just login information
As a bonus, your password manager can hold your contact information, phone numbers, credit card information, and more. Filling out online forms and checking out online just became a whole lot easier. Well, maybe not for your wallet…
Don’t fret when you need to reset and upload as you go.
It may seem like a lot of work to remember, reset, and upload all your passwords into a manager immediately. The truth is, yes, it’s a lot of work! This is a huge contributor to why only about 17% of computer users have password managers, and sadly 27% of computer users do not see their point.
The fact is, they can solve your password management dilemmas right away, and paired with two-step authentication, these managers can ward off 99.8% of password-oriented hacker attacks.
That’s why we recommend this best practice: upload as you go. Instead of tearing out your hair resetting and logging in & out of all your accounts in one sitting, update over time. The next time you log into an account and get stuck resetting your password, take a moment to update your password manager. Now you have security, up-to-date records, and a reason to smile other than for your dentist!
At CyAs Tech, we are your friendly neighborhood cybersecurity experts. Our job is to protect you, secure your systems, and make your life easier. From password managers to cloud implementation plans and more, we are here for you!