Wendee is nervous about password managers
Hello, I have considered password managers several times because I figure they are probably safer BUT I don't know how they work. I read that we have to have ONE password to remember and the manager does the rest but where do we use that one and when does the manager take over? It makes me nervous that I am not in control. Maybe more of us would use managers if you could explain it a bit for us. Thanks for all the help over the years!
Our answer
Every password manager we know of stores passwords in encrypted form, and the only way to decrypt the passwords is with your one, all-important, master password. If you forget your master password you lose your key to all your other passwords. However the plus side of this is that you only have to remember one password, no matter how many passwords you use.
Most password managers automatically fill in your user name and password when you go to a site that requires you to log in. Most password managers give you the option to type in your master password once (not recommended) so you don't have to type in your master password every time you need to log into a site. Some, like LastPass, allow you to sign in with your master password for a limited number of hours (recommended) so that you only have to type your master password every few hours.
As far as you being in control, you're in complete control. RoboForm, LastPass and most of the others, will not be able to retrieve your passwords if you forget your master password. Your master password is the key that opens up all your passwords, without it, they're useless to you and everyone else. You are much more in control with a password manager than you are if you allow your browser to save your passwords or if you write them down on a piece of paper.
The password manager never "takes over" anything, All of good passwords managers give you a choice of auto-logging in to a site or not. You are always in control. And you can always access your own passwords with your master password.
And if you get a new computer or have to re-install Windows, and you're using a password manager like LastPass, just reinstall LastPass, log in to your LastPass account, and type in your master password and you'll have instant access to all of your passwords. If you allow your browser to store your passwords, if you get a new computer or a have to reinstall Windows, good luck.
Password Managers are a necessity now. None of us can afford to use one password for all sites anymore. And we can't afford using simple passwords like betty58 or 12345 anymore.'Passwords Managers do not control you, you control them. Consider Password Managers your ally in the fight against cyber crime and identity theft.
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