How to Easily and Securely Manage Passwords (Beginner’s Guide)

‘123456’ and ‘password’ are still among the most commonly used passwords, and that’s terrifying. But, managing passwords doesn’t have to be difficult, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

We have spent countless hours researching and testing various password management solutions, from basic built-in browser tools to advanced password managers.

Through this process, we’ve identified the easiest and most secure ways for beginners to handle their passwords.

Today, we’re going to show you the best password managers that we have thoroughly tested and reviewed.

Overview of the Best Password Managers

Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick overview of our top picks for tools to help manage your passwords:

Why Do You Need to Use a Password Manager?

Many people just use the same easy-to-remember password for everything, and often for years. While this approach is easy to remember, it is not safe at all.

You might often hear about major sites being hacked. The same can happen to your WordPress website. If a malicious user gains access, then they can cause serious damage to your site and reputation.

This is not just a horror story that we tell users to scare them. It is true and happens daily to hundreds of people worldwide.

This is why cybersecurity experts and other professionals recommend that you use a strong and unique password for every login.

That means you should be using different passwords for your business email accounts, web hosting, domain registrars, social accounts, WordPress admin area, and more.

Passwords are the most important security defense you have against hackers, so there should be no compromise on using unique and strong passwords for every account.

If you run a multi-user WordPress site, then you also can enforce strong passwords on your site and even reset passwords for all your users.

Now, you are probably wondering how you can remember so many passwords. That’s where a password manager app comes in.

A password manager stores all your passwords and allows you to manage them using one master password. It also helps you generate complex passwords when you are creating new accounts and then store them on the cloud.

The best part about password managers is that they have an auto-fill functionality. This way, you never have to remember or enter anything for sites where you already have an account.

You can use your password manager app on all your devices, and it can easily import passwords stored in your browser.

Here is our list of the best password management apps on the market.

1. 1Password

1Password is one of the most trusted password managers available today, and it’s the one we use at WPBeginner. We’ve tested many tools over the years, and 1Password stands out for its ease of use, strong security, and cross-platform compatibility.

Whether you’re using Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, or even Linux, 1Password works seamlessly across all your devices.

One of the biggest reasons we recommend it is its end-to-end encryption. This means all your data is encrypted on your device before it ever leaves, so only you can access it.

You can organize your saved items using separate vaults, perfect for keeping personal, family, or team data neatly sorted.

1Password even supports autofill features and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, making logins lightning-fast.

It has two-factor authentication (2FA), allowing you to store and autofill one-time codes alongside your login credentials. Plus, it has biometric login options, including Face ID and fingerprint recognition, for even more convenience.

Other than that, we love the password generator that helps you create strong, unique passwords with a single click.

This means you can safely share passwords with family or coworkers, and even invite guests for one-time access.

Pros of 1Password

• During testing, we found its Watchtower Alerts feature that notifies you about weak, reused, or compromised passwords.
• We were impressed that 1Password comes with a travel mode. This means it temporarily hide sensitive vaults when crossing borders and you can restore them with a single click.
• Other than passwords, you can also store important files, recovery codes, and private notes.
• Our research revealed that 1Password keeps a version history, so you can easily restore previous entries.
• You can designate trusted contacts to help you recover your vault in case you’re ever locked out.
• We appreciate that the tool lets you view and use your stored credentials even without the internet.
• The tool allows you to customize the user interface according to your liking.

Cons of 1Password

• 1Password does not have a free version.

Why we recommend 1Password: If you are looking for a secure password manager with powerful features, then 1Password is the ultimate choice.

2. LastPass

LastPass is another popular password management app that offers a range of features to help you stay safe online. It’s cloud-based, which means you can access your saved passwords from any device, whether it’s your laptop, phone, or tablet.

When testing the tool we discovered that LastPass uses a master password to manage your password vault, which makes this password the key to all your online accounts.

One of its standout features is multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection to your vault. You can use the free LastPass Authenticator app, or choose other options like Yubikey or SMS verification.

This means even if someone knows your password, they still won’t be able to access your vault without a special code sent to your phone or device.

Another helpful feature is the ability to share passwords securely.

If you need to give someone like your assistant or web developer access to an account, you can share it through LastPass without actually revealing the password.

They just need to install the LastPass browser extension, and they’ll be able to log in securely using the shared credentials.

To keep your digital life organized, LastPass also provides a vault where you can neatly store your passwords, notes, addresses, and even payment card details. Everything is searchable and easy to find when you need it.

Overall, it’s a solid choice if you plan to store your passwords in the cloud and need a secure way to share them regularly with others.

Pros of LastPass

• We love that LastPass has a security dashboard, which gives you an overview of your password health. It will warn you about weak, reused, or compromised passwords, so you can take action quickly.
• For sensitive information like Wi-Fi passwords or license keys, you can use the Encrypted Notes feature to store them safely.
• With LastPass, you’ll also get dark web monitoring. This tool keeps an eye on your email and login data and alerts you immediately if your information appears in a known data breach.
• We really appreciate its free password generator that helps you create strong passwords.
• When investigating the tool, we found that it offers Emergency Access. This means you can choose a trusted contact who can access your vault.
• It has a free plan.

Cons of LastPass

• LastPass has experienced a few security breaches in previous years.
• Unlike 1Password, we have found its user interface to be a bit cluttered.

Why we recommend LastPass: It is a great option if you’re on a budget and want a secure password manager. It’s super helpful for multi-author blogs or small teams where you need to share passwords regularly without compromising security.

3. Dashlane

Dashlane is the third contender in our list of the best password management apps. Just like the other apps in the list, Dashlane is available for all platforms, including desktop and mobile.

It helps you store all your login information in one secure vault, so you never have to remember dozens of passwords again.

Upon testing, we loved its Password Health Score feature, which scans your saved passwords for weak or reused ones and gives suggestions to improve your overall security.

You can also use the built-in Password Generator to create strong, unique passwords instantly when signing up for new accounts.

Dashlane even supports autofill, making it easy to log in to websites or fill out forms with saved addresses and payment methods.

It offers secure password sharing, so you can share credentials with coworkers or family members without revealing the actual password.

We think Dashlane is ideal if you value simplicity, security, and bonus features like a VPN, all in one app.

Pros of Dashlane

• Our research revealed that Dashlane has a beginner-friendly interface that’s easy to use on both desktop and mobile.
• We love that it comes with a built-in VPN for extra security on public Wi-Fi.
• It also has dark web monitoring alerts to inform you about breached data.
• When using the tool, we found that it has a one-click password changer for supported sites.
• It has encrypted storage for notes, payment cards, and other sensitive data.

Cons of Dashlane

• The free plan is limited to one device, which can be restrictive for most users
• We don’t like that the Password changer tool doesn’t support all websites and can be inconsistent.

Why we recommend Dashlane: Dashlane is a good choice if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly password manager that also includes extras like a built-in VPN and dark web monitoring.

Expert Pick: Which Is the Best Password Manager?

1Password is the best and most secure password management app on the market. In fact, we use it for password management and sharing within our business.

If you run an online business, too, then you will appreciate the robust security features of 1Password. You can set two-step authentication, securely share passwords with teams, and so much more.

LastPass is also a popular choice with affordable pricing and a powerful free version. However, after recent security breaches, we decided to switch to 1Password to protect our team members and customers.

Expert Guides for Managing WordPress Passwords

Now that you know how to securely manage passwords, you may like to see some of our other guides related to WordPress passwords:

• How to Allow Users to Hide/Show Passwords on WordPress Login Screen
• How to Reset a WordPress Password from phpMyAdmin
• Best WordPress Login Page Plugins (Secure & Customizable)
• How to Force Users to Change Passwords in WordPress – Expire Password
• How to Reset Passwords for All Users in WordPress
• Best WordPress Security Plugins to Protect Your Site (Compared)
• How to Add a Simple User Password Generator in WordPress
• How to Add Passwordless Login in WordPress with Magic Links

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