If you’re like most people, you’re probably skeptical of anything with the word “free” before it. Of course, you should be; not all free items or services are of the highest quality, and some even have a catch or terms you need to meet first. That being said, free password managers are on the chopping block today. What are they? What do they do? Should you use one? What’s the catch?
Unfortunately, good password habits aren’t the norm in our society. About 59% of people use their birthday or name in their passwords, 43% have shared their passwords with someone else, and at least 42% of businesses rely on sticky notes to store and manage passwords. These startling statistics should alarm you, because a good password can literally save a business or your entire identity.
Identity theft is a real threat, and costs millions every year. You definitely don’t want to be a victim of this kind of crime, as it can take years to recover from and leave you financially destitute.
Alright, let’s get back on track now and take a look at why you should use a free password keeper.
Why Use A Password Manager At All?
So, why should you use a password manager at all? What does it do? To put it plainly, a password manager…manages…passwords. All jokes aside, it’s actually a really useful tool for storing, managing, and securing all of your passwords and credentials. Most browsers come with a built-in password manager, but it’s a good idea to avoid these. They’re simply not as secure, and if your browser is hacked, your passwords and other info could be at risk.
Better Management And Storage
First and foremost, a password manager will help you get things organized. If you’re still storing your passwords on sticky notes or Word docs, it’s time to get serious about protecting your credentials. Sticky notes get lost, misplaced, or stolen, and a Word doc isn’t as secure as you might think. Neither is a Google Doc. Imagine someone getting ahold of your email login information, and finding a Google Doc with all of your passwords in it. Yikes!
Password managers organize website credentials into folders. Each site has a folder with the username, password, and other notes/credentials. You can even organize those folders into categories like “finance,” “social media,” and more. The more organized your passwords are, the easier it is to keep track of them and maintain them.
Autofill Feature
One of the best features of a password manager is that it usually comes with an autofill feature. This means you won’t have to always manually type in passwords, or remember them, for that matter. With a browser plugin, you can autofill any website’s credentials with the click of a button. The manager still requires your master password, however.
Password Creation
Unfortunately, good password habits aren’t as common as they should be. Far too many people recycle passwords and use personal information in their passwords so they’re easier to remember. A Google survey found that about 65% of people use the same password across multiple or all of their accounts. Now that’s scary. A hacker only needs one password to get into your bank account, Facebook account, work email, and more.
A password keeper can help you create better passwords. In fact, most of these services have a password creation tool where you can generate a secure password with the click of a button.
Storing Files And Credit Cards
Your browser can store your credit card information, but why trust it with such sensitive things? A browser can be hacked, and then passwords, personal information, and credit cards are at risk. Your free password manager can store credit card information and even secure sensitive files in an encrypted folder.
Extra Layer Of Security
By using a password keeper, you’re adding an extra layer of security that can increase your overall cybersecurity tenfold. Better passwords and management are a serious concern, and should be taken far more seriously by businesses and individuals alike!
Is The “Free” Version Any Good?
To put it plainly, a free password keeper is better than no password keeper at all. Most password managers offer plenty of useful features with their free versions, and it’s better to have your passwords stored properly and managed via the software than to leave them to chance. If you don’t have to pay anything, what’s holding you back? Using a password keeper could mean the difference between securing your information and losing your identity to a breach.
