Software that remembers, organizes and keeps your passwords in a secure encrypted form was a novel notion. But like all inventions that rely on the internet for recognition, password managers have also become overly abundant and are now available dime a dozen. This makes it very cumbersome to distinguish truly functional ones from inadequate ones. In this article, I would endeavor to lay down some basic traits one should look for while opting for an ideal password manager.

As a rule of thumb, an ideal password manager should have four essential features:

1) It should provide unparalleled security for the stored passwords.

2) It should be feature rich.

3) It should be user friendly.

4) It should have ample online help and support available for it.

Unparalleled Security

This is almost a no brainer but the most desirable trait an ideal password manager should possess is unparalleled security for the stored passwords. Encrypting the passwords and storing them remotely is highly desirable feature as it negates the threat of losing the passwords if the local hardware fails or comes under a hacker attack. Truly exceptional password managers first locally encrypt the passwords and then remotely store them on their servers which ensure that even they don’t know the decryption pass phrase. Ideal password manager should follow the AES encryption standard which was adopted by the USA government back in 2001.

A password manager should be immune to phishing, tabnapping, keystroke logger and other forms of hack attacks keeping your passwords safe and secure. Most password managers have virtual keyboards and two factor authentication to curb hacking attempts. The aforementioned are security measures you should also seek out in your password manager.

Feature Rich:

An ideal password manager should be comprised of robust features like password generation, auto filling forms, synchronization support for mobile devices, and preferably be accessible online. Preserving passwords already in use and have the ability to recognize and record a new password related to a specific site is also the mark of a feature rich password management tool. Other noteworthy features good password manager software should have are: USB key support, formation of multiple identities and the ability to easily import and export passwords to multiple platforms.

User Friendly

It’s highly desirable for a password manager to be user friendly but in most cases it comes at the cost of missing out on key security features. There are password managers out there that only provide password organization which makes their user interface very easy, but on the downside there are no real and solid security features. So, it’s recommended to thoroughly conduct a survey based on forums, password manager reviews etc., before making a selection.

Online Help and Support

The hallmark of any bankable software is provision of online help and support from the vendor, this holds true in case of password managers as well. A meticulously constructed password manager should have online help in form of a 24/7 helpline or contact form. User forums where customers post their queries regarding the software, which are in turn answered by the makers and developers, have become a norm now. FAQ’s or frequently asked questions should also be inculcated in online help and support.

Steven White is an IT expert who writes for Free Password Manager blog, a site providing information on Best Password Managers, Password Management Tips, Password Advice etc.

Steven White is an IT expert who writes for Free Password Manager blog, a site providing information on Best Password Managers, Password Manager Reviews, Password Management Tips, Password Issues, Advice and so on. http://www.freepasswordmanager.com/

Author Bio: Steven White is an IT expert who writes for Free Password Manager blog, a site providing information on Best Password Managers, Password Management Tips, Password Advice etc.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: password manager, password management tool, password manager software, password management