Password Managers / Guide

Objective

To provide guidance on password managers and to provide recommended options for which one to use

A password manager is a computer program that allows users to store, generate, and manage their passwords for local applications and online services. It assists in generating and retrieving complex passwords, storing such passwords in an encrypted database or calculating them on demand

Password managers are designed to be secure. They are encrypted, with the ability to decrypt it being locked behind a password or some other method of authentication, with many offering the ability to use multi-factor authentication. What that means is that no one other than you can access your passwords, not even the companies that make the password managers

You don't have to memorize all your passwords. You only need to remember a single secure master password that unlocks your password vault. Because of this, you can use passwords that are much more complex than you would otherwise be able to if you had to memorize them
Many password managers can auto-generate highly secure passwords for you
Many password managers can save time by auto-filling credentials for faster access to online accounts
Many password managers allow you to access your password vault anywhere, from any device

Have an encrypted "vault" in which to store unlimited passwords, notes, files, card information, and more
Have the ability to search, add, edit, view, delete, and otherwise manage vault items
Automatically sync across devices
Have the ability to auto-generate secure passwords for you
Have the ability to auto-fill passwords
Have the option for use of multi-factor authentication

Cost
- BitWarden: Free
- KeePass: Free
- 1Password: Requires subscription
Multi-factor authentication options
- BitWarden: Includes five options, two of which are free
- KeePass: Does not use multi-factor due to being installed locally on the device
- 1Password: Uses a variety of different applications, including but not limited to Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, and Okta Verify
Device sync
- BitWarden: Can sync between all devices
- KeePass: Does not sync between devices, however it is portable and can be carried on a USB stick and accessed on Windows machines without being installed
- 1Password: Can sync between all devices
Account recovery upon forgetting master password
- BitWarden: Account recovery options are extremely limited
- KeePass: Does not have an account recovery process
- 1Password: Account recovery options are available through 1Password support

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