Passwords represent one of the main security barriers that we can find. They serve to prevent intrusion into our accounts and devices. They must be complex and we must not make mistakes that can be exploited. Key managers are very helpful and help us protect our records. Now, are the free versions safe? We are going to talk about this in this article.
Why free key managers can be a problem
This is something that also happens with VPNs, as we have seen on other occasions. Using a free service on something as sensitive as a program that manages our passwords could be a significant risk.
At first we can say that not everyone is going to be unsafe. Not all key managers that we find without paying could pose a security problem and put privacy at risk. However, it is in these versions where there are more complications and risks. There are limitations that we would not have in the paid versions, as we will see.
Password audit
One of the limitations that free password managers often have is that they do not have key auditing . This is very interesting since it warns us if we are reusing a password in several places, if our key has been stolen or even scan the Dark Web in search of information that has been leaked. However, there are many options such as open source password managers where we can find good tools.
Safety requirements
They are also usually simpler when it comes to having security requirements. This means that they will allow us to store passwords no matter what master key we use, the type of encryption, etc. Aspects that are basically going to simplify the service, but so does security.
Fixing vulnerabilities
Vulnerabilities can emerge at any time. There are many failures that affect all types of systems, applications and devices. This makes it essential to keep everything up-to-date and properly patched. Now, are free password managers updated frequently? Sometimes we could find ourselves with the problem that they have not corrected security flaws or that they take time to do so.
Secure encryptions
Another aspect to note is the type of encryption that a program uses to store passwords. In the free versions, the options are usually more limited, it does not offer robust encryption that can adequately protect our keys and prevent intruders from entering.
Improved interface
Of course the interface can also be a point to consider. We are not only talking about the graphic aspect, but about the program itself. The versions that are free do not have the same functions or are not as advanced to create strong and secure passwords. It is another point to take into account when we are going to install a password manager and achieve the best possible performance, in addition to security.
In short, these are some points that we must take into account when using a password manager. Those that are free could pose a problem and it is convenient not to trust our keys in any software that we find.
