5 Reasons You Should Be Using a Password Manager

Overview

• What is a Password Manager?
• Five Reasons You Should Use One

1. It's More Secure. Like, super more secure.
2. You can't handle the really good passwords.
3. Because life is short and passwords are long (or they should be).
4. They're more convenient than a 7-Eleven.
5. They make your life easier, plain and simple

Quick Intro: What is a Password Manager?

Think of a Password Manager like a digital version of the notebook your mom uses to write down all her important information.

Inside this simple notebook you'll find the keys to everything: usernames and passwords; account numbers; important dates... you get the idea.

A Password Manager is much like that notebook: a single, digital "notebook" or database where you keep all of your passwords and other sensitive information.

Unlike a physical notebook, a Password Manager doesn't exist in a desk drawer. It's software that is easy to install on all your electronic devices: computers, phones, iPads and web browsers.

Now that you know what Password Manager is, let's discuss why you should use one.

1. It’s More Secure. Like, super more secure.?

Have you ever reused the same password in multiple places? If so, I have a message for you:

You see, humans are terrible at remembering complicated passwords. I get it. The problem is, this means we have a tendency to write them on sticky notes or reuse them over and over again.

Why is this a problem?

Imagine using the same physical key for your house, your car, your office, your safety deposit box at the bank, you get the idea. If a bad guy got ahold of that key, he'd have access to everything all at once.

Reusing passwords online is just like having one physical key to everything. It's risky!

When you use a Password Manager, you'll never have to remember multiple passwords again. Because it's storing them for you, you can make every one unique!

This leads to our second reason:

2. You can’t handle the really good passwords.?

Does this sound familiar?

"Your password must be at least 8 characters, use uppercase and lowercase letters, at least one number and one symbol. Oh and it needs changed every 90 days."

We've all been there. Getting all that working is exhausting, frustrating and confusing. Who has time for all that?

Genuinely secure passwords, with an extensive list of requirements, are nearly impossible for humans to remember. Which leads to our third point...

3. Life is short and passwords are long (or they should be).?

You know those password requirements that we humans think are so crazy? Well, for a computer, they are relatively easy to crack.

An 8 character password, no matter how complicated, can be cracked by a computer in a matter of seconds.

Double the character count to 16 and it takes exponentially more time to crack (literally thousands of years).

With a Password Manager, each of your passwords can be absolutely bonkers. You won't care, because you don't have to remember them or even type them in.

"But what if one of the sites I use gets breached, like what happened at Home Depot?" The good news is that password wasn't being reused, thanks to your Password Manager! All you have to do is go change that one password, and you're back in good shape.

Which leads to our next point...

4. They're more convenient than a 7-Eleven.

A good Password Manager can automatically fill in your username and password on every site you add to it.

It can also enter your credit card information when making purchases online, among other things.

This feature is so convenient and useful that you'll never want to go back. The first time you use it, you'll be like...

And our final point...

5. They make your life easier, plain and simple.

Password Managers are easy to learn and use, they are inexpensive (even free in some cases), and they significantly improve your security online. Put simply, there's no good reason NOT to use them.

Gone are the days when setting up your Password Manager was a daunting task suitable only for tech-savvy people. Now all you have to do is choose a Password Manager, create an account and password, and their browser extension will handle everything for you!

Final Thoughts

It might seem like a small thing, but adopting a Password Manager will actually change your life. These quickly land in the "I don't know how I went this long without it" territory.

My advice?

If you'd like recommendations on a specific Password Manager feel free to DM me on LinkedIn.