Tough to remember online passwords? Check out these apps

On one hand, the state of Michigan is on its way to pass a law prohibiting employers to ask online passwords from job applicants and employees; on the other hand, an estimated one billion attempts to hack and retrieve passwords were made in 2012.

Did you know that out of 1 billion Facebook logins everyday, 600,000 are imposters trying to access Facebook accounts illegally?

This statistics underline the vulnerability of technology use in every aspect. While the needs for tough and strong passwords were repeatedly reiterated since the late 1990s, the need for unbreakable online passwords and password management applications (apps) are more than ever.

Here are four online password management apps that any kind of Internet account holders should use right from the start.

1) Password

The 1Password app integrates with your browser and creates a central location to store all usernames and passwords. If you have a Dropbox account, link 1Password and keep a backup ready and accessible from anywhere globally. The app is available for Android, Windows, iPhone, iPad and Mac users.

2) LastPass

They market themselves as the "last password you'll ever have to remember". LastPass uses local encryption program with which even the employees of the company cannot access user data and misuse it. It offers complete security, capability to sync accounts online and save all the user data safely. The program use JavaScript and C++ program. The app is available for Linux, Mac, Windows and other mobile platform users.

3) KeePass

This is an open source password manager where all the passwords are kept in one database and locked with a key file. Like other password apps, you only have to remember one password. The data is encrypted with AES and TwoFish, both current encryption algorithms. The app is available for Mac, Linux, Windows and other mobile platform users.

4) Password Safe

This app works with browsers where you can store passwords and lock it with one password. You can either unlock and manually copy-paste password from Password Safe to another login page or you can sync with the app and do auto-login. The app is available for Mac, Linux, Windows and other mobile platform users.

It is very important to secure your online information. Use these password protection and management apps, and stay secure.

 

(The author is founder of small business resource, SocialVani)