Computers are very secure, but not 100%. Most of the time someones computer is compromised is usually due to the users, not the computer or software. And although computers and software have vulnerabilities, criminals use these vulnerabilities to hurt you through Spyware and Viruses.
Saving passwords in your browser is no different.
I am the only one who uses my computer, so I do save passwords when my Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox asks me. But if more than one person uses this computer, or it is a public computer like in an internet cafe, it would be a bad idea because when someone using this computer goes to a site where I have my password saved, they can get in.
Scenarios when someone can get your passwords.
Even if you are the only one who uses your computer there are still a couple of ways someone using your computer can still get them.
- You loose your computer or someone steals it. This is when having your computer encrypted and password protected with a big long password which makes no sense and no one can guess. Not your dogs name or date of bitch etc.
- You give your computer away. Giving your computer to someone else when you are finished with it without properly wiping your computer and laptop, or without removing the password fields potentially gives your recipient access to your accounts.
Viruses and Malware
The criminals are getting better at stealing your information, usernames and passwords etc.
Yes, some malware (malicious software) can be used if you have it on your system to steal passwords you have saved in your web browser. To put this into perspective though, if you didn’t have them saved in your browser and the Malware is on your computer it would be just as likely that it could steal your passwords as you are typing them into your browser anyway.
Password Manager
Using a Password Manager is a very good idea. I use one called 1Password. I like it, and if you have a program like dropbox you can centralise all your information so you can access all the same passwords on your tablet, laptop, mac, pc or mobile phone device.
The good thing about 1Password is all your data is encrypted and when you go to a website you can click on a 1password link which will feel your username and password fields without having to save them into your web browser.
1Password is not free and I do highly recommend it. Saying that every time the software seems to update it keeps asking me for more money to keep the updated version or risk being locked out which is kind of annoying.
