Attractive but deceptive comfort
These integrated managers make your daily life easier. You no longer have to remember dozens of passwords: they are saved when you log in and are filled in automatically when you visit the site. But they are not as safe as they seem.
The main problem? Browsers do not protect these passwords as well as a specialized tool. If someone physically accesses your computer, they can easily view your credentials. Imagine: you leave your computer at the repair shop because of a malfunction. There’s nothing stopping this technician from accessing your browser, where all your passwords are viewable in plain text (or nearly so). It can freely squat your Netflix account (whose device restrictions can be bypassed under certain conditions), or worse, your email inbox, where all your most sensitive data goes.
You would be surprised to know how often this situation occurs.
Browsers’ built-in password managers make your passwords vulnerable
Browser administrator security often depends on a password or system lock. Problem: This lock is often weak or non-existent, depending on your configuration. Worse, some browsers don’t robustly encrypt your passwords, leaving them open to malware or intruders.
The built-in manager doesn’t offer the advanced tools you’ll find in a dedicated password manager. You won’t have a security report to identify weak or repetitive passwords, or protection against common breaches. With information as sensitive as your credentials, this lack of security opens you up to big problems.