The Problem with Saving Passwords on Your Computer

Many people don’t blink an eye when presented with the option to save a password on their computer. Choosing to do so seems like the most convenient and efficient choice, but in reality, letting your browser save your passwords can lead to many problems down the road.

First off, there is always the possibility that your browser’s cookies may get cleared and you won’t be able to remember the password since you are used to relying on your computer. And of course, if a roommate or friend borrows your device, they will have open access to all your accounts.

The real dangers, however, go even further than forgetfulness or a snooping friend. If your computer encounters a virus and gets hacked – something that is more common than most people realize – the perpetrator would then be able to steal even more personal information including banking information, emails, personal data from social media, etc.

Furthermore, depending on the browser, there may be a settings option that allows users to show every password that the browser is saving, thus defeating the purpose of security and simplifying the job of any hacker.

So what is the solution?

There is always the old-fashioned method of writing every password down on a piece of paper and hiding it in a safe place, but if organization is not your strongest skill, this may not be the best choice. Another (more secure) route is to use a password management software. Programs such as Password Safe will store every password and only require you to remember one password to access them.

Have more questions on storing passwords? Worried that you may have already gotten your passwords hacked? Give us a call at 970-821-8592. We’re here to help.

January 11, 2016

Security

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