Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and all other browsers have password manager options ,but should you really use this option?
Nowadays, we are using hundreds of apps, websites, every day. so there is no way to memorize tons and tons of passwords and user id. so most people use password managers. Password managers have become so essential that web browsers offer built-in solutions. While browser-based password managers are free, third-party standalone solutions are also available. This Article would help if you didn’t use your browser’s built-in password manager. And here’s why.
Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Brave are the Top mainstream browsers with a built-in password manager because it’s just one way of ensuring you’re hooked into the ecosystem.
These password managers work to some extent in the same way as standalone alternatives. This feature attracts many users because it is very convenient to manage their passwords
They’re very convenient with no extra download needed, and your passwords sync automatically with your data. You sign into your account, and you’re good to go. Besides, browser-based password managers are all free to use, with no limitations, at least as far as the available features are concerned.
For instance, on the Google Chrome browser, passwords are saved in your Google account, and you can access them by going to passwords.google.com. But if you aren’t signed in, Chrome will save the passwords locally.
And when you enter a password on a website for the first time, your browser will prompt you to save it. Chrome will then provide the login credentials the next time you want to sign into that specific site whose logins are kept in its vault.
Reasons to Avoid Browser-Based Password Managers
While such capability is too good, but you shouldn’t use browser-based password managers. Here are just a few reasons why
1.Hard to Make a Browser Switch
If you are the person who wants to switch browsers frequently these built-in password managers are the first headache to you, Say you have your passwords stored in Opera; you can’t access them in Google Chrome. That’s a bummer, especially if you frequently switch browsers.
The first upside of using third-party dedicated password managers is cross-platform support. You can use standalone password managers on virtually any platform and across browsers. The first upside of using third-party dedicated password managers is cross-platform support. You can use standalone password managers on virtually any platform and across browsers.
2. They Don’t Include Easy and Secure Sharing Options
Standalone password managers provide a convenient and secure way of sharing credentials. On the other hand, browser password managers don’t. It can be an issue to some, especially if you share some online accounts with family or friends, be it music and video streaming services like Netflix, Spotify and Disney+
Third-party password managers include family packages, which offer shared folders that all members can access. Shared folders are a typical password manager feature that allows you to share specific credentials conveniently and securely.
3. You Can store only Passwords
Modern password managers allow you to save more than just passwords. You can store your photos, videos, and documents. And they offer you a few gigabytes of secure cloud storage for this purpose. You can also store notes, addresses, payment cards, and even a driving license.
On the other hand, browser-based password managers don’t offer anything like that. You can’t save your documents, notes, or media files. They only support password storage.
4. Security Concerns
While browser-based password managers have generally improved on the security front, unlike the earlier days, some cybersecurity experts still feel they’re not secure enough. This is especially true when browser password managers are compared with their standalone alternatives.
Standalone password managers are built with security in mind. They include bank-level Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption, and a zero-knowledge architecture. They also have advanced multi-factor authentication using hardware keys alongside other security features.