Password Manager is designed to store your passwords in a repository that can be unlocked with a single master password. This article is about various software alternatives.
Why do we use the Password Manager service?
Using passwords is an important part of working with any software or resource. In this case, passwords are an integral part of the company’s information security. They provide protection for user accounts, user data, and access to them. Using a weak password may cause third parties to gain access to the data.
Each of us uses passwords for many purposes. The most common of these are computer logins, e-mail, authorization on various web resources, and so on. Only with rare exceptions are systems with one-time passwords. We usually use passwords multiple times, so every user should know the requirements for creating strong passwords.
Using such kind of service makes life much easier by solving the problems mentioned above because instead of remembering multiple passwords, you only need to remember one key, and the system does the rest. Such a system is able to generate and store secure passwords. This means that longer passwords use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, avoiding notable words. In turn, anyone trying to “crack” the password will need more time. They will also not be able to use a vocabulary attack that aims to shorten the process by trying to try words rather than random strings of characters.
LastPass vs. Bitwarden
LastPass is one of the leading password managers used by 17.8 million people worldwide. Some of the advantages of LastPass include the functionality of passwords that are easily added, simplified exchange, password audit, and a two-click password generator. Data protection is based on AES-256 encryption, all data is stored on the developer’s server and data transfer to the desired devices is carried out after an invitation to access it, which creates the risk of data interception by an attacker. One-factor authentication is used to log in to the account, a master password is used, the number of attempts to enter the password is not limited, which poses a risk of brute force to attack.
BitWarden is a free open-source password manager that can be hosted in its own environment. Compared to solutions like LastPass or 1Password, you can control where your BitWarden server is hosted and how secure it is. Even for business, the data you store in BitWarden is encrypted on the client with your master password even before it is sent to the sync server. Since BitWarden is open source, unlike its competitors, any developer with the necessary knowledge can ensure that there is no loophole in the application.
Based on the analysis of password managers, like LastPass vs. Bitwarden, or Bitwarden vs 1pPassword, it is possible to identify shortcomings in a secure system for storing information:
- There is the synchronization of applications between devices and cloud storage, which creates the risk of interception of data.
- One-factor authentication is used to log in to the account, the number of attempts to enter the password is not limited;
- Features of free versions are very limited, full availability of all features can be obtained only in paid versions;
- Several password managers store the master password in plain text format in local directories, which creates the risk of password detection;
- The password manager has the ability to reset the secret password and get all subsequent authentication;
- The password manager does not have database protection, which threatens to inject data into the database without any authentication.