Try a Password Manager

Antique keys on an antique shelfIf you re-use a password across multiple services and it gets compromised through phishing or in a data breach, hackers may try accessing your other accounts using that password. That’s called a “credential stuffing” attack. Therefore, IT&S recommends using a strong, unique password for each service, but that could mean keeping track of dozens or hundreds of passwords.

Password manager apps remember them for you, and they can generate and remember long, random passwords, that no one could guess. They can sync your passwords across all your devices, and automatically fill in login forms for you.

Password Manager Options

There are cloud-based password managers like Lastpass, Bitwarden, Dashlane, 1Password, and Roboform. Most of them are free to try for a limited time, or for a limited number of passwords, but the free version of Bitwarden doesn’t limit by trial period nor the number of passwords. For more options, Google “best password manager” to find reviews.

If you don’t want to store your passwords in the cloud, Keepass is an open-source desktop password manager you could use for free. It also comes as a mobile app, but it won’t sync your credentials across devices.

Multifactor Authentication

True, you are putting all your passwords in one basket, so turn on multi-factor authentication (a.k.a. 2-step authentication) for your password manager, and make sure you use a strong, long and unique password.

Password Manager Videos

What is a password manager?

Are password managers safe?

More Password Tips

For more password tips, please see the Password Tips page on the Mount website.