These days, any browser worth its salt boasts of its security measures. It may even force you to see all the security improvements first after an update before you move on to your regularly planned Web surfing.
Yet, at the same time, they ask you, over and over, if you’d like to save a site’s password in the browser.
Best option: NEVER.
Hackers can quickly get around current browsers’ encryption to see the password list. They have several ways to see passwords stored in a browser, according to TechRepublic.
Another reason not to do it is if your device is lost or stolen. A criminal opening up your web browser could easily access your accounts. (A crook reading your social media could guess your security access code for your device – if you’ve even enabled that option.)
You should also take the extra step of clearing your browser’s cache once a day. This wipes out cookies and tracking, as well as possible logins and other history. Some browser settings allow you to require automatic cache clearing when you quit the browser.
Instead of relying on a browser, purchase a reliable, well-known password manager. While you can get password managers for free, but it’s worth paying for the reputable brand with reputable encryption.
Some of our favorites are 1Password, LastPass, and Dashlane.
Password managers force you to use different passwords for each account. Fortunately, they also have a “generate strong password” feature that takes just a click or two of your mouse.
Another advantage of a password manager is that they sync across your devices while browsers do not. All you have to do is load the password manager app on all your devices.
True, you could use the mobile and desktop versions of a browser, but if your desktop is Windows and you use an iPhone, you may have problems making your browser the default one or getting it to sync well cross-platforms.
Check the browser’s setting to see if you can turn that feature off to stop the constant browser notifications that ask to save your passwords. When the inevitable browser update occurs, you may have to go in and turn it off again.
So remember – if your browser asks to save your password, the correct answer is “Never,” “No,” or “Do not save.”