Password managers: the easiest way to stay safe

Why use one

Reusing passwords is the number-one way accounts get taken over. When one site is breached, criminals try the same email and password everywhere else. A password manager makes every password different, without you memorizing any of them.

Good options

• Built in and free: Apple Passwords (iPhone and Mac), Google Password Manager (Chrome and Android), Microsoft Edge.
• Works everywhere: Bitwarden (has a free tier), 1Password and others, handy if you use a mix of Apple, Windows and Android.

Getting started

1. Pick one, and choose a strong master password. A long passphrase you'll remember is ideal.
2. Turn on two-factor for the password manager itself.
3. Let it save passwords as you sign in over the next few weeks.
4. Use its password checkup to find weak and reused passwords. Fix your most important accounts first (email, banking).

"Isn't that all my eggs in one basket?"

Good password managers are encrypted so that even the company can't read your passwords. It's far safer than reusing passwords or keeping a notebook by the computer.