Password Managers

Why you need a password manager

The average person has anything between 100 and 200 online accounts. That number is expected to double, at least, in the next 5 years.

We know that it’s not a good idea to re-use the same password on multiple websites and apps, particularly as your information could be at risk through no fault of your own. It seems like every week that there’s another news headline about a data breach affecting millions of customers.

If you’re using the same password for multiple online accounts, cyber criminals only have to obtain the password to one of these accounts to gain access to the rest.

We know we should create unique, strong passwords for all our important online accounts, but that’s no easy task. How can we possibly remember all those complex passwords?

That’s where password managers come in.

What is a password manager?

A password manager is an app that lets you store all your passwords in a secure, encrypted vault. This means that you only have to remember a single master password for your vault.

Once logged in, the password manager automatically fills in the usernames and passwords for websites as you visit them.

Password managers can also generate random, unique passwords when you create a new account or change your password.

Most have apps for computers, phones and tablets, allowing you to access your vault from any of your devices.

Does the University recommend a particular password manager?

Over the coming months we’ll be providing information and advice to help you make the switch to a password manager. There are lots of great products available, but the one we’ve chosen to support is LastPass, which is the market leader.

Key features of LastPass (Free) include:

Secure, encrypted vault
Access on all devices
Save and fill passwords
Password generator
Security challenge
2 Factor Authentication

Find out more and download software (Windows)

Find out more and download software (Mac)

Protecting your password vault

It’s vital that you protect your password. If your password manager was compromised, cyber criminals could access all your accounts.

You can keep your password manager secure by:

Setting up two factor authentication. LastPass has an Authenticator app to make 2FA seamless
Installing updates for your password manager app as soon as they are available
Choosing a strong password for your password manager account

Help and support

Our help site is now available. We’ll be adding to our guidance over the coming weeks.

For all other questions relating to LastPass, get in touch with ittraining@strath.ac.uk.