what is a password manager

What is a password manager? Definition & features

Bryn Glover,

In an online world password security is vital. But, with countless accounts and services used every day, keeping track of passwords has become a significant challenge for most people.

Password managers have emerged as a solution to this problem, providing a secure and convenient way to manage and protect your work or personal login credentials.

In this article, we’ll explore what a password manager is, why it matters, and how it can help enhance your online security.

Table of Contents

Challenges of password management

Passwords are key to our digital lives. They safeguard sensitive information, such as financial data, personal communications and confidential documents.

However, the typical internet user has multiple accounts, each requiring a unique and strong password. This leads to a number of challenges that we’ll cover in the sections below.

You can click on any of the items in the list above to skip ahead.

Password overload

Managing a range of passwords for a range of accounts can be overwhelming. Often, this results in people using the same, potentially weak, passwords across multiple websites. 

This is risky because a would-be hacker only needs to guess or work out one password to gain access to a large amount of your information.

Memory

Passwords that are genuinely strong and unique can be difficult to remember. Often, people will write them down or store them somewhere to make things easier. 

Of course, this significantly increases your vulnerability to issues.

Security threats

Passwords are a prime target for hackers. When trying to access them, they will use techniques like brute force or dictionary attacks, as well as phishing to exploit weak passwords and gain unauthorised access to your accounts.

You can visit our website security page to learn more about what to look out for.

Time consumption

Manually entering and resetting passwords can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially when you forget them.

Think of passwords like keys. If you had to use a specific key on every door in your home, you’d end up spending half of your life looking for them.

What is a password manager?

A password manager is a specialised software or service designed to store, generate and autofill complex, unique passwords for your online accounts.

A password manager securely stores login credentials, making it easy for users to access websites, applications and services without having to remember individual passwords.

If you are planning to create a business website, then using a password manager can be an excellent way to start securing your information.

what is a password manager?

Key password manager features

Password managers typically include a range of common features. Take a look at the sections below to find out more.

You can select an item from the list above to skip to that section. Otherwise, continue reading.

Password storage

Password managers store your login credentials for the services, websites and apps that you use. Typically, these login credentials will be kept in an encrypted database.

Password generator

Password managers normally include a password generator tool that can help you to create strong, random passwords for your accounts. This ensures that each account you store in the manager will have a unique and robust password.

Auto-fill

Password managers automatically fill in your login information when you visit a website or launch an application. Bear in mind that, for this to work, you’ll need the manager installed on your browser and active.

Secure encryption

Stored passwords are encrypted using advanced encryption standards, making them nearly impossible for hackers to decipher.

Multi-device sync

Many password managers offer users the ability to sync their passwords across multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets and computers.

Two-factor authentification (2FA)

Many password managers support two-factor authentification (2FA), which adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.

Normally, 2FA will mean confirming your identity when you try to log in to an account. For example, if you log in on your laptop, you’ll receive a notification on a connected device, such as your phone, to confirm that it is you attempting the login.

Why a password manager is important

There are a range of reasons that you should consider getting a password manager. In the sections below, we’ve provided some information to consider when you want to improve your website security.

Enhanced security

Password managers create and store complex, unique passwords for each of your accounts. This prevents hackers from easily gaining access to multiple accounts in the event that a single password is compromised.

Convenience

Password managers streamline the login process by automatically filling in your credentials. This can save time and will often reduce the frustration of forgetting your information.

Phishing protection

Password managers can detect phishing sites and can also prevent you from entering your login details on fraudulent websites.

Cross-platform support

Most password managers offer apps and browser extensions that work seamlessly on different devices and platforms, meaning you can have security from your desktop and laptop to your smartphone. 

Secure password sharing

With a password manager, you can safely share passwords with trusted individuals or colleagues, making collaborative work more manageable.

What is a password manager? Final thoughts

In a world where online security is essential, a password manager is a valuable tool. It can not only simplify your digital life, but it also significantly reduces the risk of security breaches and identity theft.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, adopting a password manager has become an essential step in safeguarding your online identity and personal information.

Picture of Bryn Glover

Bryn Glover

Bryn is the founder and editor of WebsiteJumpStart. He has worked in the digital field for over a decade and was editor for Startups.co.uk - the UK's leading small business website - and for NerdWallet UK before launching WebsiteJumpStart to help people and businesses get online with ease.
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