Password: Password managers can be your safety net during data breaches, here’s why – Times of India

With frequent reports of cyberattacks, it’s not surprising that people are worried about the security of the services they use to protect their information, especially password managers. However, password managers are still one of the most effective ways to stay secure online.
While there are several password managers out there, Chrome and Android come with an in-built Password Manager, allowing users to easily access all their passwords across devices without needing a separate app.
Here are a few things you should know about Google’s Password Manager from Mark Risher, Director of Product Management at Google.
A common concern about password managers, especially after a data breach or vulnerability, is the fear of putting all your authentication credentials in one place, similar to keeping all your eggs in one basket. However, a better comparison is to keeping your money in a bank. Just like banks, Google Password Manager uses multiple layers of security to protect against attacks, even the most persistent ones.
Google Password Manager is integrated into both Android devices and Google Chrome, with access to your passwords protected from creation to storage to autofill. Your saved passwords are also secured with the advanced security used to protect everything in your Google Account, like emails, photos, and docs. Google is always improving its security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats, so you can be confident that your passwords are benefiting from the latest advancements. Additionally, there are easy ways to enhance the security of your Google Account, such as taking the Security Checkup, enrolling in 2-Step Verification, and for high-risk users, using the Advanced Protection Program.
Autofill provided by Google Password Manager, which powers the feature on Android and Chrome, offers not only convenience but also a strong defense against phishing attacks. Phishing attempts often use fake sign-in pages to deceive users into entering their passwords, but Google Password Manager’s autofill eliminates this threat by only filling in passwords on authentic domains. The autofill function works seamlessly across websites and apps on any device, including iOS devices when using Chrome.
Google Password Manager offers added security through Password Checkup. It checks over a billion passwords daily for breaches and is available on Chrome and as part of Security Checkup. Users are alerted if their username and password are weak or have been compromised in a data breach on any external site or app. Password Checkup is private and secure, using Protected Computing to perform breach checks while ensuring passwords are only accessible to the user.
Google is working towards a future without passwords by investing in secure and easy-to-use authentication solutions such as Password Manager, 2-Step Verification, security keys, and FIDO and Webauthn standards. The alpha release of Credential Manager on Android has been announced, which simplifies user authentication and increases security with the support of passkeys. Passkeys, backed by public-key cryptography, are more secure and convenient than passwords. They are stored in Google Password Manager and protected with strong on-device encryption for improved security and convenience.
In today’s interconnected online world, ensuring authentication and account security is crucial for maintaining safety. With daily use of various apps and websites, from social networks to movie bathroom break timers, maintaining security across all platforms is of utmost importance. That’s why utilizing a password manager, such as Google Password Manager, is an essential part of online security. We are dedicated to providing a secure, convenient and reliable solution for managing all your credentials.