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Here's Why You Should Never Store Passwords in Your Browser

Written by Samuel Adams | 01/04/2022

Browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge all give users the option to save their passwords to make logging into their most common websites easy. Unfortunately, this ease comes at a price - browsers put up a thin line of defense when it comes to protecting your passwords. In fact, most browsers only require the user's computer login information to share its entire library of stored data. Even the browser's inspect tool can immediately reveal every password stored in your browser. Don't believe us? Try it for yourself.

    1. Right-click the password field on any website.
    2. Select Inspect Element.
    3. Double-click on type="password", and replace password with text.
    4. Hit Enter, and close the Element Inspector.
    5. The password will be completely revealed in the password field.

That party trick is worrisome, but it's just the beginning. 2021's Log4j vulnerability revealed that the code baked into professional applications around the world could be easily accessed. A patch has already been deployed, but companies that are late to implement the fix could be left picking up the pieces after a data breach. When it comes to password security, there is one key to staying safe: encryption. Built-in browser password managers are convenient, but their lack of legitimate security means that passwords are only managed - not protected. 

While the password security risks have never been higher, cybersecurity companies are constantly staying on the cutting edge to deliver tools that keep your accounts secure. Password managers deliver another level of security. By using randomly-generated passcodes and encrypting data, password managers are boosting account protection and delivering an unprecedented level of security for accounts of any type. Password managers give users a single login that then authorizes logins for each of their other accounts, simplifying the login process for them while increasing the strength of their defenses. In short, password managers make defenses stronger and simpler than ever.

SeedSpark partners with LastPass to provide our team and our clients with a password manager that guarantees peace of mind. It's easy to take password security for granted or assume that a breach will never happen to you, but having tools in place that provide proactive protection is an affordable way to secure your accounts and stay protected for years to come. Contact our team for a free 30-minute cybersecurity assessment. We'll assess the technology that you have today, identify opportunities for improvement, and help you prepare for tomorrow.