6 Secret Ways How a Password Manager Can Help You Stay Safe Online

Now you know that you need strong original passwords for each account. There is only one problem: it is impossible to remember all the complex passwords you come up with.

No need to strain your brain to the limit or write everything down in a notebook. You can use a password manager, an app on your phone and a computer that tracks your accounts. Password managers encrypt all your passwords – and the password also protects themso only you can access your library information to login.

Keeping track of your logins is great, but password managers can do much more, such as auto-fill out forms, hide personal notes, and even help prevent phishing. Keep reading a few secret ways as password managers make your digital life more manageable.

1. A password manager can save you from phishing schemes

Recently, Kim got a call from a listener who lost his money from a scammer who pretended to be Coinbase. He received a notification of problems with his cryptocurrency account. At the end of the message was a link.

He clicked on the link, entered the credentials – and lost everything. Of course, this was not a letter from Coinbase. The phishing message was clearly designed to trick him into sharing his password.

When our IT genius Jeremy heard this story, he said a password manager could help prevent such phishing. Here’s how:

• When using the password manager, you can automatically enter your username and password, but only if you are on a site that matches the domain you entered when setting up login information.
• If you find yourself on a site with a different domain, your password manager will not automatically populate your account credentials.

If you are trying to log in and your credentials are not being filled in, you will be wondering what is going on. Then you pause, check the URL and realize that you were going to pass everything on to scammers. Therefore, a password manager is a smart way to help detect phishing scams.

RELATED: Fake sites pretend to be Microsoft and Spotify – how to detect them

2. Hide private notes

Password managers are quite reliable. You can enter an account username, password, domain and even a few notes. The exact setting depends on the password manager you use, but here’s an example of how you can insert notes into KeePass:

Password Manager is a safer place to store your thoughts than Microsoft Word or Google Drive.

3. Generalize passwords in a secure way through the password manager

All in all, it’s a good idea to keep your passwords close to your vest. However, you may need to share one from time to time.

If you need to share a password, make sure you do so through a secure, encrypted channel. One of the safest ways to share passwords is with a password manager.

Especially useful in this case are family accounts with shared folders. You can give access only to the registrations you want and share them with the people you choose. Other options include sharing one specific password with a contact. Either way is much more secure than sending a password via text, chat or email.

4. Securely store credit card information

Password managers are not the only ones to store credentials for all your favorite websites. You can also use them to store your credit card information. Speaking of maps, here are the safest ways to pay, buy and send money online.

Some password managers even allow you to create separate folders for different types of accounts. This means you can have a folder for all your streaming services, one for your shopping websites and the other for your credit card information and other bank accounts.

So if you’re looking for a secure, encrypted place where you can keep track of your credit card information, think about a password manager. Just make sure you do your research and choose a reputable one to protect you. (Skip the free ones.) Later in this article, we’ll look at some of the best password managers, so keep reading.

5. Autofill forms

Some password managers make filling out online forms easier and more secure than storing all your data in a web browser. For example, an encrypted database from LastPass fills out forms on Windows and Mac. It tracks names, addresses, emails, phone numbers and credit card information.

Of course, it all depends on your chosen password manager. Some offer more autocomplete options than others, so it will be good to do research and find out how you will use your manager to choose the one that best suits your needs. Touch or click here to get our guide to getting started with the new password manager.

6. Carry out a security check

Some password managers even test the strength of your passwords so you can improve your online security. You can conduct a security check with LastPass by trying it out Security challengewhich verifies your passwords and evaluates your password strength.

This is a great way to see if there is room for improvement. Click or click here to get five ways to improve existing passwords.

Of course, different password managers have different functions. The one you choose may not be able to conduct a security check, so make sure you find one that can. If you feel overwhelmed by all the choices, keep reading. We will cover you.

Which password manager to choose?

This section will break down some of the most popular managers. Depending on your specific needs, some may come up better than others.

1. RoboForm

RoboForm is a sponsor of the Kim Komando Show. Sign up and you will get a 50% discount. Just use this link.

The interface is easy to use because it uses certain logos for different websites that you want to remember, unlike other password managers. If you’re more into visual things than text, this is a great option. It is easy to use, simple and fast.

Log in with one click and get ready to start auto-filling long troublesome web forms. It can make your digital life easier and more convenient.

2. KeePass

KeePass has a simple interface and is easy to use. You can move your passwords to different folders to make the organization easier. However, this is not so convenient if you want to upload your credit card information or autofill forms online.

This password manager can store notes, domains, usernames and passwords. It will store them in a file on your computer that you can copy and move to other computers for convenience.

It also encrypts everything so hackers can’t view personal belongings. You just need to enter the master password to see them all. Create a strong, original password that is hard to crack to keep everything locked up. Click here for more information on KeePass.

3. LastPass is another good one

This is recommended by our IT geniuses John and Jeremy. It encrypts everything to make sure you are completely protected. LastPass also uses colorful logos, which is useful for visual learners to keep track of all their passwords.

Not only that, but it is a versatile program that can be used on a variety of devices. It is seamless, easy to use and has a great user interface. And LastPass also has a browser extension to store your passwords. It is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and Opera.

4. 1Password

And last but not least, 1Password acts as a digital repository, filler for forms and secure digital wallet. Here’s a nice bonus: 1Password is there never was hacked.

In addition, 1Password does not use internal analytics, trackers or advertising. So if you’re looking for a visually pleasing password manager that puts your privacy first, this is a great option.

Touch or click here for our security guide when using password managers.