How to manage your passwords
Forgotten your password and been locked out of your favourite website? Don’t panic, there is a way to safely store that essential information.
Safety is the key
As part of National Seniors’ Keep SAFE campaign it is recommended that passwords are changed regularly, especially after you have received an unusual or unexpected phone call, text message, or email.
This can be simple to achieve with a password manager as you don’t have to remember each individual or new password that you have.
The Keep Safe campaign aims to protect older Australians so they are more aware, confident, and resilient online by providing information and education.
For more information about Keep SAFE, or to sign up to the campaign, click here.
If you use a computer, mobile phone, or other device for important transactions, such as banking, shopping, and dealing with government departments, you will have been advised to change your password on a regular basis.
It is very good advice, but many people find it easier said than done.
With so many websites and apps requiring logins these days, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and find it impossible to remember that elusive combination of letters, numbers, and keyboard symbols that unlock your access to the information you need.
Managing passwords effectively is essential for protecting personal information and reducing the mental load of remembering all your online credentials.
A good solution is to use a password manager, which is a tool designed to store, generate, and organise passwords securely.
Password managers operate as a digital vault, encrypting and storing passwords in one secure location. Users only need to remember a single “master password” to access the tool.
Once you are logged in, the manager can generate complex, unique passwords for different accounts, which it then stores securely.
Many password managers also offer browser extensions or mobile app integrations to autofill your login details seamlessly across devices and platforms.
Federal initiative
With messaging similar to NSA’s Keep SAFE campaign, the Federal Government has launched an initiative called Fighting Scams
Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones, said the aim was to increase awareness of three simple steps to keep us all safe from scams:
STOP: before sharing personal information
CHECK: that you know who you’re dealing with
PROTECT: against scams by taking actions like reporting them to Scamwatch.gov.au
They also often provide features such as:
Password audits: to assess the strength of your existing passwords and identifying reused or weak ones.
Two-factor or multi-factor authentication integration: adding an extra layer of security by requiring further verification steps (such as sending a code to your mobile phone or email address).
Secure notes storage: safeguarding sensitive information such as credit card details.
Dark web monitoring: alerting users if their details appear in data breaches.
Password managers also minimise the frustration of account lockouts caused by forgotten passwords. With auto-fill features, logging into accounts becomes quick and effortless, saving time and reducing stress.
While password managers are highly effective, users should take steps to maximise their benefits. Creating a strong master password is essential, as it’s the key to accessing the tool, while enabling two-factor authentication will add an additional layer of security.
Selecting a reputable password manager with robust encryption standards will ensure your data remains secure.
A recent New York Times article recommended two password managers: 1Password and Bitwarden. These both also feature in a Wired magazine article about the best password managers.
Others are available but whichever one you choose, it’s important to satisfy yourself that the product is genuine and robust.
This article is for information only. If you have concerns about cyber security, seek advice from a trusted IT professional.
