I have been resisting using a password manager because I was satisfactorily keeping track of all my passwords on my own. But then I listened to a seminar on the benefits of LastPass, and it completely changed my thinking.
Using a password manager improves your security because you are no longer storing passwords in your browser. But here is what really sold me on implementing LastPass:
- I could access my LastPass password vault from all my devices: my computer, my iPad, and my iPhone.
- I also could store credit card info and bank account numbers, as well as addresses and phone numbers for easily filling out forms.
- My family could access my passwords in case of emergency, and vice versa.
LastPass will generate complex passwords for me if I want, but I already have hundreds of passwords and don’t want to have to change all of them. I may take advantage of that feature in the future as I create new accounts.
Importing all of my saved passwords from the Chrome browser into LastPass was relatively easy. However, I also took the time to go through every single account to make sure it was active, give them a user-friendly name where necessary, and categorize them into logical groups (such as Financial, Charities, Dog, etc.)
Getting my family members set up with LastPass was the final step. They were a little resistant at first because they didn’t want to invest the time, but I convinced them that it was important for us to have access to each other’s credentials in case one of us is incapacitated. Of all of us, I think my husband will benefit the most from using LastPass, as he frequently forgets his passwords and has to reset them.
If you’ve been resisting implementing a password manager, I suggest you consider LastPass or one of its competitors. It will take some time investment now, but it will ultimately save you much time and frustration to have your passwords always at your fingertips. And since our digital selves will live beyond us, it behooves us to provide our families with the keys to sorting out our digital lives when we aren’t here to help interpret them.
