These days, we value convenience – and most of us have devices stuffed with apps and various accounts.
Juggling endless passwords is no easy task, and with most modern browsers offering one, many of us opt for a browser password manager to take away the headache.
By auto-saving login credentials, users can hop between accounts, only clicking “enter” with ease. But for the security-conscious, the billion dollar question soon becomes “is it actually safe?”
To work out the answer, we need to understand why browser password managers prove to be so popular and whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks they present when storing your login information for you.
Let’s dive in and explore the topic!
Why Are Browser Password Managers Popular?
Browser password managers are built to make life easier.
Top browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge all offer to conveniently save your passwords for you.
If you have a memory like a sieve or simply can’t really be bothered to memorize multiple passwords, then they are like a godsend… especially given the ridiculous combinations of characters, numbers, and symbols most sites require you to invent.
Even if you scribble it down, you could lose it or risk someone seeing it, so it is unsurprising that around 60% of worldwide internet users now rely on password managers.
Convenient But Risky
For many of us, telling our browser to save a password has become second nature, and watching it autofill our logins is as convenient as it gets.
But, with our passwords stored locally on the device itself without security measures in place, we are taking a risk – they could be potentially accessed.
Quick and Easy
Using auto-fill also obviously cuts down on time. Those few moments spent manually inputting our credentials soon add up if you like to check all your socials regularly from a variety of devices.
Let’s not forget the hassle that comes with following the tedious steps for retrieving a forgotten password, should you simply not remember.
Password Manager Security Risks
There is no denying how handy a password manager is, but we can’t tip-toe around the potential security risks.
For most, the convenience they offer trumps the risks, as only 27% of people surveyed expressed concern that their password manager might get hacked.
Whether they are as safe as they seem on the surface is down to understanding the risks posed. Only then can you actively take steps to counter them, so let’s discuss.
Compromised Physical Device
The biggest risk with a browser password manager is that the password is sometimes stored on the device; therefore, if someone gets ahold of it, they have access to everything that the device remembers the credentials for.
Whether it’s a laptop, phone, or tablet without the right security feature in place, you could be in trouble across multiple accounts in a heartbeat if it got lost or stolen.
Malicious Programs
Malware can make its way into any unprotected system, with keyloggers recording your inputs and sophisticated programs scanning your browsers for saved credentials – you are in trouble either way.
Without the right software in place, you are potentially at risk. Antivirus software and VPNs can play an important role in protecting you against malware.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts all data sent and received via your internet connection preventing interception – so click here to learn more about VPN use!
Browser Software Weaknesses
All software requires constant updates; when security vulnerabilities are detected, engineers work hard to put security patches in place to fix them. If you don’t update, you are left with the door wide open, inviting the cyber criminals right in!
Safeguarding Tips For Saved Passwords
While undeniably convenient the risks of using password managers remain; fortunately, following the following tips will help keep the passwords stored out of the wrong hands.
- Make access harder by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
- Create yourself a master password for your device and set up fingerprint or face ID biometrics where available.
- Update your browser and device software regularly to ensure you have the latest patch protection.
These steps help ensure your saved passwords remain secure while maintaining the convenience of autofill.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that it’s relatively safe to use a password manager to store your passwords in your browser for quick and easy retrieval. However, some caution is warranted.
Sure, it might be time-saving and ideal for those of us who crave instant access to everyday accounts, but we should be more diligent when it comes to accessing sensitive data.
Fortunately, we can use 2FA, biometrics, antivirus, and VPNs to our advantage. Put the safeguarding tips we’ve outlined into practice and balance convenience and security while you surf the web safely!