For most of us, password management is a not so familiar term. It mostly evokes the thought of writing down our frequently used passwords on paper for easy retrieval because many computer users are still following this age old practice. There are quite a few issues with this approach like the written passwords are there for anyone to see who gets their hands on the paper, the paper itself can get lost etc.

Thankfully, we live in the age of innovation and modernization! There are now password management software programs available that specifically cater to securing your passwords and obliterate the need to memorize them or write them down on a paper. These password managers have a database where all your passwords are stored in encrypted form and only you have the privilege of decrypting them.

Different types of Password Managers

Password managers come in many different forms depending upon their functionalities:

Desktop Password Managers

Desktop password managers store the passwords in encrypted form on your local hard drive. These are ideally used by domestic PC owners and provide some level of security, but if the computer hardware itself is somehow rendered corrupt, chances are that your encrypted passwords would also be lost.

Web based password mangers

Web based password managers store the passwords on the providers website in encrypted form. Ideally such password managers allow the users to locally encrypt the file first and then automatically upload it to their server which ensures that even the personnel of the provider don’t know the decryption process.

Selecting the right password manager

Mentioned above are just a few types of password managers, depending on your security needs and requirements you would readily find numerous password management tools. Consult various password manager reviews before you opt for one. It is also a wise idea to download free version of different password managers and use them. Choose among them which

Some Common yet Overlooked Password Management Tips

Apart from relying on password management tools, there are some very common yet overlooked password management practices one should adopt. For example when devising a password for your computer login screen, network, website, email account, application data files etc., never ever select passwords comprising your name, your telephone number or your residential address or words found in dictionaries. These are just too obvious choices for a password and can be easily guessed. Your password should be a combination of alpha numeric characters and symbols which will make it least obvious. Use long passwords with special characters like punctuation marks etc.

Some people have the habit of using the same password for accessing their emails, bank accounts etc. They never bother changing their passwords and hence when a malicious hacker figures out their only password, all the confidential data of the user becomes comprised. Therefore, always frequently change your passwords and have different passwords configured for your emails and bank account access.

Following these simple yet effective password management tips can help keep you from losing your precious data to malicious hackers.

Candice is a technology geek, who writes for multiple technology sites including \’Free Password Manager\’ blog, which offers password manager reviews and tips on password management.

Candice is a technology geek, who writes for multiple technology sites including \’Free Password Manager\’ blog, which offers password manager reviews and tips on password management. http://www.freepasswordmanager.com/

Author Bio: Candice is a technology geek, who writes for multiple technology sites including \’Free Password Manager\’ blog, which offers password manager reviews and tips on password management.

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