Password Manager

Choose the Right Password Manager Software

Many features are associated with password manager software. A basic software package that protects passwords should have the following:

• An automatic form filler
• A security scanner to check for confidential information left on your computer
• A secure site login manager to automatically log you into your favorite sites
• A file encryption tool
• A backup and restore feature to recover lost files

All of these basic features will help keep your passwords guarded while you surf the Internet. Additional desirable features, which usually come at an additional cost, include:

• Automatic upgrades
• Custom cleaning on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
• File deletion that permanently deletes files from your computer

Why Use a Password Manager?

Computer users are accustomed to pop-up programs that ask if the user wants their username and password saved. The pop-ups that ask for this information are called auto-complete programs. Auto-complete programs on your computer are not protected by a master password. Password programs require you to use a master password to unlock the program. While other people or family members may access your computer, they won't have access to your password manager unless they know the master password.

Steps to Protect Your Identity Online

If you have a password manager program, it will help to protect your confidential information. However, no program can completely eliminate the possibility of having your passwords cracked. You can tale some steps to protect your passwords while using the Internet.

• Choose passwords that are hard to guess. This is the number one rule in creating hard to crack passwords. Never use birth dates, nicknames or social security numbers, for example, as passwords.
• Choose a password that contains at least seven characters with a mixture of letters and numbers. It is also a good idea to use both upper and lower case letters within your password.
• Never write your passwords down and store them near your computer. Favorite places to write passwords include the underside of your keyboard or mouse pads. Anyone looking for a password to break into your computer will look in these places first!
• Change your passwords every three to six months. Change a password immediately if you think an account has been accessed without your consent.
• Never give your password to anyone, not even a co-worker or a friend. If her computer is compromised, then so is the password.
• Do not use passwords that use adjoining keys on the keyboard.
• Never use the same password on more than one site.
• Do not store passwords that you use to access financial institutions. Memorize these passwords instead; if you have to write them down, store them away from your office or wallet.
• When using a public computer, always log off of any sites that require passwords and close the browser window before you walk away.

In Conclusion

A password manager can help you protect confidential information stored on your computers. People who have many passwords to remember may benefit from using one of these software programs. Those who use the Internet regularly may also protect their confidential information easier with the use of password managing software.

However, nothing can protect you entirely from criminals. Your best chance to thwart identity theives involves changing your passwords regularly. It is also important to choose unique passwords and never give out your passwords to anyone.

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