When should you switch to another password manager?
In the early beginning of 2023, a few globally known password managers LastPass and Norton LifeLock experienced massive cybersecurity breaches, disclosing sensitive users’ data.
Soon after the two alarming breaches, cybersecurity experts warned users to immediately switch to other password management tools due to security concerns.
So, should you switch to another password manager as a LastPass or Norton LifeLock user? And even if you do not use either of the tools, what red flags should tell you that you need to make an immediate switch?
Keep on reading to find out.
Norton LifeLock & LastPass breaches: an inauspicious beginning of the new year
LastPass breach
The year 2023 started on a worrying note. At first, the cybersecurity giant LastPass experienced a massive data leak, concerning even the most loyal users.
In the latest LastPass breach, hackers obtained copies of customers’ password vaults, allegedly exposing millions of people’s online information. Unauthorized cybercriminals now possess such unencrypted information as usernames, company names, billing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and IP addresses.
Security firm Intego fears the further use of leaked data against LastPass users (for instance, in phishing attacks).
Norton LifeLock breach
A few days after a LastPass breach, another password manager hit the headlines. Norton LifeLock warned its users that the attackers might have obtained data stored in the users’ private vaults.
On December 22, 2022, Norton noticed “an unusually large volume” of failed login attempts. After completing their initial investigation, the company found that the credential stuffing attacks had led to the intrusion of about 6450 customer accounts.
While many two-factor authentication-protected accounts remained safe, all users received a good lesson about the importance of cybersecurity practices.
Should you switch to another password manager after a leak?
After the recent data breaches, most top-class cybersecurity experts suggest users switch to a more reliable and transparent password manager.
In the case of LastPass, the company not only demonstrated questionable security practices but failed to transparently speak about what happened.
Security researcher W. Palant claims that LastPass’s announcement about the breach was full of “omissions, half-truths, and outright lies.”
When it comes to password management, security should be your top priority.
If your password manager has experienced a data breach or leak, immediately change any compromised passwords and consider switching to a different password manager as soon as possible.
Therefore, if you were using LastPass or Norton, do not wait for another data breach to happen. Transfer your data to a more reliable solution without a record of cybersecurity incidents.
In what other cases should you consider switching to another password manager?
A data breach is not the only ( although critical) case when you should consider switching to another password manager. Your digital security is not something worth compromising on.
Consider switching to another password manager in these cases:
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Too basic security features. Many password managers offer basic security features, such as encryption and password generation but do not provide additional protections, such as two-factor authentication or biometric login options.
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Lack of compatibility with other devices and browsers. A password manager should support cross-platform usage (PC, tablet, mobile phone, and various browsers). If you find yourself manually entering passwords or struggling to access your accounts on different devices, it may be time to consider switching to a password manager that is more compatible with your setup.
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The tool lacks safe password-sharing features. A security-oriented password manager should allow you to securely share passwords with family members, friends, and colleagues. Good password-sharing practices highly reduce the chances of human error and data breaches. If your current tool does not support it, consider switching to a safer one.
What LastPass and Norton LifeLock alternatives should you consider?
After a data breach, you should do two most critical steps:
- Update all critical passwords (even the ones that were not affected);
- Switch to a more transparent alternative without a cybersecurity breach record.
One of the best alternatives in the cybersecurity market is PassCamp.
This highly intuitive password manager combines a seamless user experience with uncompromised security. It protects your data with the leading cybersecurity methods and makes secure password management your daily habit.
Give PassCamp a try and protect your sensitive data.
