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Paying for a third-party password manager can feel redundant when you have one built into your browser. However, browser password managers aren’t as secure.
But if you follow these password security tips, your browser password manager will be as safe as a paid alternative.
1Check Browser Extensions Before Installing
You’ll find fake or malicious browser extensions in most extension stores, whether you’re using Chrome, a Chromium-based browser like Edge, or even Firefox. These extensions impersonate other popular services, including password managers, to try to skim your data.
If you do end up downloading a rogue extension, it can access all your browsing data, including but not limited to passwords, cookies, browser history, and more. So before you start storing all your passwords in the browser, check your extensions and ensure they’re all safe.Check each browser extension before you download, and you should follow these steps if yoususpect you’ve downloaded a malicious browser extension.
2Don’t Share Your Device
Shared devices, and by extension, web browsers, are very bad for privacy. Anyone with access to your device, and likely the device password, can open your browser and see any stored passwords. Additionally, since most services remember your credentials and automatically log you in, your account is defenseless if someone decides to use it.
Shared devices also add more risk factors. Someone you’re sharing your device with might install an extension or other program that might not be as safe as they think. In such cases, these potentially malicious programs can go unnoticed, often until it’s too late.
3Remember to Lock Your Device
Browser-based password managers have little in the name of protection against physical access. If your PC supports Windows Hello or you have a device password set, your browser will ask for credentials before showing your password, but that’s about it. So, if you’re walking away from your device in a public space like an office, library, or school, lock it first.
Locking your device hides your browser and, by extension, your password manager behind a password in your absence. This simple thing can often be the difference between being protected or compromised, especially if you’re using your computer in a public place.
4Keep Your Browser Updated
This is a no-brainer, but keeping your browser updated ensures you’re protected against any bugs or vulnerabilities that might be discovered and could be a security risk. There’s a reason whyGoogle releases security updates for Chrome every week.
There have been instances where a critical vulnerability in major browsers has been exploited to steal user data. You never know when a similar vulnerability might get discovered and exploited. Ensuring your browser is updated is the most hassle-free way of ensuring you’re protected against discovered vulnerabilities that have been patched.
That said, there are other reasonswhy you should update your browseras well. Updates often add new features and functionality and can significantly improve user experience.
5Avoid Storing Critical Passwords
No matter how convenient, a browser password manager is still not as secure as a dedicated one. This is one of the mainreasons you should avoid using a browser password manager. So, when storing passwords for quick access within a browser, avoid critical passwords like those of your bank and work accounts.
Your bank account or work credentials are more important to a cybercriminal than your Instagram or Facebook account. However, critical services like your Google account, bank details, or work credentials might still be saved in your browser.
The best way to use your browser’s password manager is to store passwords for non-essential services and accounts you want to use secure passwords for but do not necessarily remember or write them down every time you log in. For more important services, you should use a dedicated password manager.
Your browser’s password manager isn’t the most secure way to store your password, but with a few precautions, it can become a handy tool for preventing you from remembering dozens of passwords. However, there are somedifferences in password managers across browsers, so ensure you double-check this, too.
