The pros and cons of using a password manager: Is it worth the risk?

Balancing convenience and risk with password managers

Leigh Huang
Synology C2
4 min readMar 20, 2023

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Photo by Robynne Hu on Unsplash

The password dilemma

We’re all aware of the data breaches, hacks, and exposures in recent years. With the increasing number of online accounts we use and the rise of remote work, keeping our passwords safe has become more important than ever. One of the ways to do this is by using a password manager. But are they really safe?

In this article, we will discuss some of the advantages and possible disadvantages of using a password manager, so you can stay informed and up-to-date on some of the best practices for modern password management.

Should you be using a password manager?

According to a survey by Bitwarden, 55% of people rely solely on their memory to remember passwords. However, with the growing number of online accounts and passwords, it’s nearly impossible to remember them all.

Password managers were created to relieve this stress and make password management easier for users. With a password manager, not only can you create unique and strong passwords for each of your accounts without worrying about forgetting them, but you can store all of your passwords in a single, secure location.

Clearly, using a password manager makes your life convenient. But there’s much more to them than just storing your credentials.

Going beyond password storage

Enhanced security with stronger passwords

One of the main benefits of using a password manager is that it can generate strong and unique passwords for you. According to a recent study by Google, roughly 6 in 10 Americans have used personal information such as their name or birth date in passwords. With a password manager, you can avoid this mistake and create unique passwords that are difficult for others to guess.

C2 Password’s password generator helps you create strong passwords

Moreover, with a unique password for each of your accounts, even if one of your passwords is leaked or compromised, your other accounts will remain safe.

Signing in takes less time

Another advantage of using a password manager is that it can save time. Instead of having to remember multiple passwords, a password manager only requires you to remember one master password. This saves you time and reduces the stress of having to remember different passwords for different accounts.

Data are protected with multi-level encryption

The best password managers use multiple techniques to keep your data safe, including encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. For example, C2 Password encrypts your data using AES-256, a strong encryption algorithm, and uses a zero-knowledge architecture, which means only you will know the master password and have access to your data.

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash

However, despite the many advantages of using a password manager, there are still some risks to keep in mind.

Vulnerabilities to watch out for

Cyber attacks still happen

A major possible downside to using a password manager is that if a hacker gains access to it, they will have access to all your passwords. This is why it’s important to choose a reputable password manager, like C2 Password, that uses strong encryption and other security measures to protect your data.

Most online password managers also offer regular updates to address any security vulnerabilities and ensure that their encryption algorithms are up-to-date.

First-time password input can take time

Another potential downside of using a password manager is the time and effort needed to transfer your data from one password manager to another.

However, C2 Password makes this process simple by providing easy ways to import data from different sources. For example, you can directly import data exported from another password manager, or simply create an excel sheet that includes all of the credentials you want to add.

You can easily import your passwords via the C2 Password web portal

Decisions, decisions, decisions…

Finally, with so many password managers on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Some offer advanced features, while others have a user-friendly interface. Some might be expensive, while others have a free plan.

C2 Password offers a free plan that you can use for as long as you need, and you can upgrade to a paid plan at any time.

Your ultimate password management solution

In conclusion, while there are risks involved in using a password manager, it is generally safer and more convenient than not using one at all.

By using a reputable password manager like C2 Password, you can have peace of mind knowing that your data is safe and secure, while also enjoying a plethora of other great features, like password strength detection, cross-device syncing, Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP), and much more.

With the right password manager, you can keep your online accounts secure and avoid the hassle of managing multiple passwords. Sign up for C2 Password for free today and take the first step towards a safer and more convenient online experience!

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Synology C2
Synology C2

Published in Synology C2

Boost efficiency with secure and reliable cloud solutions for storage, password management, file sharing, and backup

Leigh Huang
Leigh Huang

Written by Leigh Huang

Technical Content Specialist at Synology