Before we see the top 5 password managers, its important we know what a password manager is.
A password manager is a software application that helps a user store and organize passwords. Password managers usually store passwords encrypted, requiring the user to create a master password; a single, ideally very strong password which grants the user access to their entire password database. Some password managers store passwords on the user's computer, whereas others store data in the cloud. While the core functionality of a password manager is to securely store large collections of passwords, many provide additional features such as form filling and password generation.(Wikipedia)
Now the best password managers give you the option to sync or keep them local only, change web passwords with a click, log in to sites for you, and more.
LastPass
LastPass remembers your passwords so you don't have to, and makes it easy to audit your passwords, use stronger passwords in general, and even automatically change a password for you
if a service has been hacked or compromised. LastPass supports
two-factor authentication for your password vault using Google
Authenticator, USB devices, or a YubiKey, The service picked up a much-needed update
a year or so ago to streamline the UI and make it easier to use, and
sports a number of additional features like credit monitoring, secure
password and document storage (and sharing), notifications when a site
you have an account with has been hacked, tools to autofill forms and
streamline online shopping, and more. LastPass supports Windows, OS X,
Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Blackberry, and has plugins for
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer. It's free to
download and use, but if you want its best features and the mobile apps,
you'll need to upgrade to LastPass Premium, at $12/yr.
Dashlane will also notify you if you have an account on a site that's
hacked, and with its built-in password changer, you can have Dashlane
reset the password to a new, unique, strong one without leaving the
interface. If you want to change all your passwords at once, you can do
that too. The purchase tracking and digital wallet features make it easy
to make online purchases even at retailers you don't have accounts
with, and search all of your online orders in one place, while secure
note and document sharing gives you a place to store passwords that
can't be automatically filled in. Dashlane also gives you the option to
store your passwords locally only in an encrypted vault (where only you
have the master key), or to sync them to your devices and access them on
the web. Dashlane supports Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS, and has
plugins for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer. It's free to
download and use, but if you want your passwords synced across devices,
you'll need Dashlane Premium, at $40/yr.
Your passwords in KeePass are stored inside an encrypted database that
you control, on your own system, and are never synced or uploaded
anywhere unless you want to take them from machine to machine. KeePass
is also a portable app, meaning it's super easy to take with you and use
on multiple computers, even if that machine is locked down and all you
have is a thumb drive. It has its own password generator, to help you
change passwords and make sure every one of them is unique and strong.
Passwords database in KeePass can also be configured with multiple keys
so you can share access among privileged users, and exported in plain
text for quick importing elsewhere (or backups). Plus, KeePass has tons
of third-party plugins and tools to extend its functionality and bring
it to more devices, browsers, and platforms. Most notably, KeePass'
auto-type functionality works in all windows and all browsers, which
means that KeePass can log in to sites that other password managers
can't, and can log in to applications, system dialogs, and other
password prompts that you'd otherwise have to copy/paste a password
into.
1Password is well loved and well-regarded for offering a powerful and
secure password manager and digital wallet in a really sharp-looking
package that shines on every platform it runs on. It's flexible, easy to
use, works seamlessly in just about every web browser, and packs in the
same features that you've come to expect from a premium password
manager and secure document storage tool. 1Password looks great, comes
with a strong password generator to help you pick good passwords every
time you change one, secure notes for other passwords or notes that you
want to keep private, a digital wallet for bank accounts and payment
info, and a password "recipe" builder that lets you customize your
passwords to your demands instead of just accepting whatever algorithm
the password generator spits out at you. Perhaps best of all, 1Password
can be used locally only, without syncing any information to the web, or
you can use it across all of your devices by syncing your encrypted
vault via Dropbox, iCloud, Wi-Fi, or shared network folders—it's
completely up to you. You can also set up emergency contacts and share passwords with authorized users.
You can even keep multiple vaults for different types of passwords.
1Password supports Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS, with plugins for
Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. One of 1Password's stand-out
features is that you get a premium product for a one-time fee—you can
download and try it out for free, or buy a single license for $50 (or
buy a Mac and Windows license bundle for $70.) Mobile apps and
extensions are free, but require a license to use.
RoboFform has been around a long time (since 1999), and has always had a
large number of dedicated, die-hard users who've rallied around it,
both as a great tool for form-autofill on the web, and as a password
manager. Roboform also gives you the option to keep your passwords and
data encrypted and local, or sync to the web and across devices if you
choose to, but the choice is completely up to you. It supports multiple
identities, so you can autofill form information based on different
users, addresses, or any other mix-and-match of data you choose. You can
also take RoboForm with you on a USB drive from computer to computer.
The app's most recent major update was a few years ago,
but it gave it a great-looking interface, brought it to more browsers,
and delivered both online and offline password management options.
RoboForm also has bookmarking features to help you keep track of your
favorite sites. RoboForm supports Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS,
and Windows Phone (with older versions available for platforms like the
Blackberry and SymbianOS), with plugins available for Chrome, Firefox,
Safari, Internet Explorer, and Opera. It's free to download and use—for
the first 10 logins. If you need more (and who wouldn't), or need to
sync or access passwords on multiple devices, you'll need RoboForm Everywhere, which will set you back $20/yr for all of your devices and computers (and you get a break, it's onlt $10 for the first year.).
Souce: lifehacker
Post a Comment