Do not memorize any more passwords: what are and how do password managers that promise to protect your information work?

At present, remember passwords It has become a somewhat tedious task. We no longer only need to memorize the email or our Facebook account, now streaming service accounts have also been added, new Applications and even mobile banking information.

Although our memory can be a faithful vault of credentials, at some point it will be insufficient and we will need some technological help that can remind us of all that we have. The solution? A kind of “virtual memory” called password manager.

It is a tool capable of storing said information in a secure manner and for which various companies and users choose. But what exactly are they? are they really safe to use?

LOOK: The AI ​​that helps you know if you have a double somewhere in the world

What are password managers and how do they work?

According to Wilfredo Mendoza Cabrejos, commercial manager of Intecnia Corp, BitDefender Country Partner, password managers are applications that store, protect and manage a person’s keys. “These applications make it easy to have different passwords and of varying complexities for each account or service which you want to access”, declares to Trade.

The process for saving the information is quite simple: the user enter login details and password in the apps, and then use them when you need them. This information, in turn, is protected by “single master password that only the owner should know”according to Luis Gastulo, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the Technological University of Peru (UTP).

The applications They work through an encrypted database. One of them, for example, is the AES-256 (known as Advanced Encryption Standard 256). This encryption scheme is unlocked only with the master key created by the application owner. “The administrator stores this key securely, using a special hashing for passwords in your general database”adds Gastulo.

LOOK: This is the reason why you should not charge your cell phone in public places

Are password managers really safe?

Weeks ago, the password manager LastPass revealed to have been the victim of a cyber attack.

Although the company initially assured that there was no leak of passwords or data from its users, it later confirmed that in said security breach the hackers they had access to “information stored in your cloud storage service”according to the Europa Press medium.

LOOK: They warn Google for accumulating data from their services such as YouTube and Google Maps

Given this, saving this type of valuable information on the Internet might seem like a crazy idea and, once again, the biggest unknown arises: are they really safe to use?

“Like any technological service, is not free of possible vulnerabilities or be the target of cybercriminal attacks”Mendoza points out. However, he assures that these fulfill the function securely and that even some password managers They offer the possibility of have a double authentication factor.

LOOK: The United States authorities are evaluating it: the Apple Watch could stop being sold due to a patent problem

There are a lot of password managers on the web: well-known companies, independent developers, paid, open source and, of course, some of dubious provenance. About, the expert recommends carrying out a previous investigation of the product, always considering the reputation of the developers and the specialized opinions of third parties.

LOOK: Apple is already finalizing details to start the production of the iPhone 15

To choose a password manager, it is advisable to do so taking into account the functionalities that fit the needs of the person. (Aslan Alphan/)

Who should use password managers and which are the most recommended?

Gastulo believes that those who should use this type of apps, in addition to users belonging to a domestic environment, are the large companies and startups. Mainly to protect against credential theft, such as phishing, vishing, whaling, smishing, among others.

“They should be used by those people who use a large number of accountswho are not in the habit of using passwords with secure parameters, who do not change their passwords periodically and also by those who want to simplify access to their accounts as much as possible”adds Mendoza for his part.

LOOK: Microsoft Teams will start charging for certain standard features in its new Premium service

To choose one, it is advisable to do so taking into account the functionalities that fit the needs of the person.

Source: Elcomercio