Password Managers

I use Dashlane on my PC. You download it from Dashlane.com.
Once it's set up you only need to remember one master password to access all the others. It's not always as straightforward as that and it has to learn your passwords first but it's a help.

There is also a built in password manager on my phone and tablet.

Thank you Pittcity - I’ll investigate that now ?

I used to have a Samsung tablet, had to keep a note of my passwords elsewhere, but have an iPad now and it has a built in password manager, best thing ever IMO. I’m a total technophobe, but do know that we are advised to not use just one password for everything. Plus we’re meant to change passwords regularly afaik.

I’m another with Dashlane. I like that if I change a password on one device it changes it on all of them. Also you can set up someone else to be able to access it in the event you are unable to .

If you use a laptop you can enable the Dashlane extension there too .

I highly recommend it.

I've used the Msecure password manager for roughly 10 years but there are literally hundreds available to download - some are free some are not.
Actually, I think the free ones are easier to use and do the job just as well.
You need one password to open the "vault" and can then store all the individal passwords that you use for websites etc etc etc. I use mine to store other data too like my NHS and passport numbers.
As long as you can remember the one password you need to open the manager all your other passwords will be stored away safely and you can look them up easily.
I hope that helps.

UsedDaslane for years with no problem. Basically it's a database that stores the info of company and the password you use for each of them. You only then need to use the password you have set up to access Dashlane if you want to look at or change details.

My Samsung tablet and my wileyfox phone remember all my passwords. I linked them so that if I change one or create a new one it's remembered o both devices.

Thank you so much for your advice and information. My laptop is telling me it won’t update to Windows 11 so when it finally gives up the ghost and isn’t supported I will give serious consideration to buying something with a password saving function already in situ. You are all so kind, and so knowledgeable!!

I don't pay for many apps at all except my password manager. If you rely on your device to remember all your passwords, when your device 'dies', so may your passwords unless you have saved them somewhere else.

Just a thought. If you only need to remember one password to access all the others, how is this safer than using the same password for different things? Surely it could even be worse in a way because anyone accessing your password manager would have a lot of vital info all laid out for them, or have I misunderstood how it works?

Well, you make your password for your password manager to be really strong - you will only ever have to remember that password (and how to open your device). You could take the lyrics to the first verse of your favourite song, for example, and use the first letter of every word. Include any speech marks and change vowels for numbers/characters - for example change o to 0, i to ! etc. I see that my password manager recognises that my device has facial recognition abilities as well (new iPad) and I can add a keypad number but sometimes, it will also ask for the password.

You make sure that your password manager password is much stronger than that of your laptop/device. As it stands, if someone can get into your laptop, and you allow your laptop to remember your passwords, all your online world is available.
Someone else getting access to your device has to open your device and then add your password manager ID and password as well to obtain your passwords, that is an extra step.

However, your password manager password is only ever used locally on your device. Your user ID and password is used to encrypt everything you put in the password manager. Afterwards, your password manager uses military grade encryption to encrypt your data before allowing it to be sent over the internet (also using a Virtual Private Network - encrypted link - part of the password manager security). The password manager stores your encrypted data - it has no access to your data, because of the encryption.

So yes, the only weakness is if you let someone else have your unlocked device and Password Manager Password/user ID Also, if you lose your password you lose all access to your data.

Probably not of interest to you, but you can add the password manager to all your devices so it is available on a desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile phone. In this case, you can access your password manager from all the devices, you won't have to look them up to add your existing accounts.

Password Managers are quite expensive but I prefer the peace of mind and the fact that my password manager provides a way for me to securely grant access to all my data to named family in the event that I am no longer capable.

Golly I’m amazed at the depth of knowledge here - I’m so glad I joined !

Thank you so much missedout for that very detailed and clear explanation. It now makes much more sense.
Thanks again for taking the time to explain.