*In nearly all cases, a Password Manager (PM) is better than no PM. However, there are differences between the types of PMs. Which is best for you depends on your online activity and your concern for security.**

• Browser: Chrome, Firefox & Safari all have added a built in PMs. Your login credential to the browser is your access to manage your Vault. They are integrated with the browser and easy to use. Your major risk is if someone gets access to your login credentials to the browser. If they do, they have access to all your login/passwords for your websites.
• Platform: Your login information is tied to your universal platform login (like Apple, Facebook or Google ID). Your login credentials are used for those websites and Apps that allow you to sign in using your platform credentials. The same risk applies as does the browser where if your Apple, Facebook or Google ID is jeopardized someone can access your platform login credentials and those websites or Apps that use the same.
• 3rd-Party: You manage your login credentials through the 3rd-party website (or App) Vault. Good 3rd-party PMs do not store your Vault login credential. You must write it down and store it somewhere (physically) in case you forget the login/password. (Do not store it electronically in a file.) If you lose the Vault login/password, there is no way to manage the login info in your Vault. On the other hand, if the PM is hacked, the hackers do not have access to your Vault login credentials which makes it much harder for them to access the encrypted login/passwords.

In many cases, people use a combination of these three types. When a website or App allows sign up via Apple, Facebook or Google ID, people use that method. When that is not an option, they use one of the other PM methods.

Next month, we’ll talk about the best ways to use a Password Manager and what to watch out for.

Our Advice
Know your options and pick what is best for your online activity. Be diligent and cautious when using online tools. They are important, necessary, and useful in our everyday activities.

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