3 ms·

I've never used LastPass, why do people use it (or other password managers) instead of the built in browser password manager?

by ars 7y ago

kevinmannix 7y ago
Having a password manager on mobile is needed, so I need multi-device support. I was really happy with the password manager support the last iOS included. Password entry and persistence are streamlined.
jacekm 7y ago
Until not so long ago, the browsers' password storages provided absolutely zero security. They are better now, but still password managers offer some advantages. For me the most important is the ability to use multiple browsers. But there's other stuff: random password generator, ability to store custom key/value pairs, 2FA, etc.
- ars 7y ago
  > provided absolutely zero security. I've been encrypting my Firefox password store for so many years I can't even remember. Is that not secure or something?
  - tylermenezes 7y ago
    Yes, actually. https://palant.de/2018/03/10/master-password-in-firefox-or-thunderbird-do-not-bother/ https://palant.de/2018/03/10/master-password-in-firefox-or-t... (Maybe they've fixed this since, I'm not sure. It doesn't seem like security is being taken very seriously in any case.)
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
Marsymars 7y ago
I use multiple browsers, and store credentials for things other than websites.
ken 7y ago
Every built-in browser password manager I've seen seems to be just a password-protected list of (URL, name, password) tuples. They're the most bare-bones possible implementation. There's no (non-cloud) syncing, or easy backups. There's no file attachments, or custom fields, or non-website-based accounts. There's no automatic checking for duplicate passwords, or old passwords, or alerts for websites known to have been compromised. I don't use a web-based password manager like LastPass because I don't really trust it (for either security or reliability), but local password managers are great for storing all kinds of private data. How would I store my driver's license, my storage unit lockbox combo, or my marrow donor registry ID in a web browser?

I've never used LastPass, why do people use it (or other password managers) instead of the built in browser password manager?

by ars 7y ago

I've never used LastPass, why do people use it (or other password managers) instead of the built in browser password manager?

kevinmannix 7y ago

Having a password manager on mobile is needed, so I need multi-device support. I was really happy with the password manager support the last iOS included. Password entry and persistence are streamlined.

jacekm 7y ago

Until not so long ago, the browsers' password storages provided absolutely zero security. They are better now, but still password managers offer some advantages. For me the most important is the ability to use multiple browsers. But there's other stuff: random password generator, ability to store custom key/value pairs, 2FA, etc.

ars 7y ago
> provided absolutely zero security. I've been encrypting my Firefox password store for so many years I can't even remember. Is that not secure or something?
- tylermenezes 7y ago
  Yes, actually. https://palant.de/2018/03/10/master-password-in-firefox-or-thunderbird-do-not-bother/ https://palant.de/2018/03/10/master-password-in-firefox-or-t... (Maybe they've fixed this since, I'm not sure. It doesn't seem like security is being taken very seriously in any case.)
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]

Marsymars 7y ago

I use multiple browsers, and store credentials for things other than websites.

ken 7y ago

Every built-in browser password manager I've seen seems to be just a password-protected list of (URL, name, password) tuples. They're the most bare-bones possible implementation. There's no (non-cloud) syncing, or easy backups. There's no file attachments, or custom fields, or non-website-based accounts. There's no automatic checking for duplicate passwords, or old passwords, or alerts for websites known to have been compromised. I don't use a web-based password manager like LastPass because I don't really trust it (for either security or reliability), but local password managers are great for storing all kinds of private data. How would I store my driver's license, my storage unit lockbox combo, or my marrow donor registry ID in a web browser?