Is a password manager better than an encrypted file for storing passwords?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
For any passwords other than websites I log into regularly (such as Gmail, Facebook, etc.), I use apg to generate a random 20 character password. I then add that password and a username or email address to a text file I keep stored in an encrypted VeraCrypt volume (password for that exists solely in my head).
In light of the Collection #1 breach, I'm planning to go through and change some of my passwords, and I'm wondering about the benefits of using a password manager such as Encryptr or Gnome Keyring. I usually use Mint with Cinnamon.
Is storing passwords in an encrypted file considered adequate for most peoples' needs? Even if it is, are there other benefits to using a password manager?
encryption passwords password-management
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
migrated from superuser.com Jan 18 at 17:56
This question came from our site for computer enthusiasts and power users.
add a comment |
For any passwords other than websites I log into regularly (such as Gmail, Facebook, etc.), I use apg to generate a random 20 character password. I then add that password and a username or email address to a text file I keep stored in an encrypted VeraCrypt volume (password for that exists solely in my head).
In light of the Collection #1 breach, I'm planning to go through and change some of my passwords, and I'm wondering about the benefits of using a password manager such as Encryptr or Gnome Keyring. I usually use Mint with Cinnamon.
Is storing passwords in an encrypted file considered adequate for most peoples' needs? Even if it is, are there other benefits to using a password manager?
encryption passwords password-management
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
migrated from superuser.com Jan 18 at 17:56
This question came from our site for computer enthusiasts and power users.
Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
1
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46
add a comment |
For any passwords other than websites I log into regularly (such as Gmail, Facebook, etc.), I use apg to generate a random 20 character password. I then add that password and a username or email address to a text file I keep stored in an encrypted VeraCrypt volume (password for that exists solely in my head).
In light of the Collection #1 breach, I'm planning to go through and change some of my passwords, and I'm wondering about the benefits of using a password manager such as Encryptr or Gnome Keyring. I usually use Mint with Cinnamon.
Is storing passwords in an encrypted file considered adequate for most peoples' needs? Even if it is, are there other benefits to using a password manager?
encryption passwords password-management
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
For any passwords other than websites I log into regularly (such as Gmail, Facebook, etc.), I use apg to generate a random 20 character password. I then add that password and a username or email address to a text file I keep stored in an encrypted VeraCrypt volume (password for that exists solely in my head).
In light of the Collection #1 breach, I'm planning to go through and change some of my passwords, and I'm wondering about the benefits of using a password manager such as Encryptr or Gnome Keyring. I usually use Mint with Cinnamon.
Is storing passwords in an encrypted file considered adequate for most peoples' needs? Even if it is, are there other benefits to using a password manager?
encryption passwords password-management
encryption passwords password-management
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
asked Jan 18 at 3:46
CMBCMB
1273
1273
migrated from superuser.com Jan 18 at 17:56
This question came from our site for computer enthusiasts and power users.
migrated from superuser.com Jan 18 at 17:56
This question came from our site for computer enthusiasts and power users.
Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
1
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46
add a comment |
Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
1
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46
Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
1
1
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Having an encrypted text file with passwords in it is certainly better then having common/reused passwords or an unencrypted file.
A good password manager is, however, incrementally better, in the following ways (off the top of my head)
- Better memory management - it can prevent passwords being left in computer memory which can be snaffled by other processes/users.
- It only exposes the needed password, not all of them.
- (Sometimes) Browser integration makes life easier
- Many eyes - a program designed specifically for password management, and audited, likely has stronger processes in place to ensure good hygene.
- Cross-platform compatibility, arguably easier to merge records and manage in a cloud environment/from multiple locations.
You might want to look at Keepass and other variants, and the kdbx format. (And how well its supported). I use that under Linux (I assume you use linux as you mention APG)
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
|
show 13 more comments
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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oldest
votes
Having an encrypted text file with passwords in it is certainly better then having common/reused passwords or an unencrypted file.
A good password manager is, however, incrementally better, in the following ways (off the top of my head)
- Better memory management - it can prevent passwords being left in computer memory which can be snaffled by other processes/users.
- It only exposes the needed password, not all of them.
- (Sometimes) Browser integration makes life easier
- Many eyes - a program designed specifically for password management, and audited, likely has stronger processes in place to ensure good hygene.
- Cross-platform compatibility, arguably easier to merge records and manage in a cloud environment/from multiple locations.
You might want to look at Keepass and other variants, and the kdbx format. (And how well its supported). I use that under Linux (I assume you use linux as you mention APG)
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
|
show 13 more comments
Having an encrypted text file with passwords in it is certainly better then having common/reused passwords or an unencrypted file.
A good password manager is, however, incrementally better, in the following ways (off the top of my head)
- Better memory management - it can prevent passwords being left in computer memory which can be snaffled by other processes/users.
- It only exposes the needed password, not all of them.
- (Sometimes) Browser integration makes life easier
- Many eyes - a program designed specifically for password management, and audited, likely has stronger processes in place to ensure good hygene.
- Cross-platform compatibility, arguably easier to merge records and manage in a cloud environment/from multiple locations.
You might want to look at Keepass and other variants, and the kdbx format. (And how well its supported). I use that under Linux (I assume you use linux as you mention APG)
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
|
show 13 more comments
Having an encrypted text file with passwords in it is certainly better then having common/reused passwords or an unencrypted file.
A good password manager is, however, incrementally better, in the following ways (off the top of my head)
- Better memory management - it can prevent passwords being left in computer memory which can be snaffled by other processes/users.
- It only exposes the needed password, not all of them.
- (Sometimes) Browser integration makes life easier
- Many eyes - a program designed specifically for password management, and audited, likely has stronger processes in place to ensure good hygene.
- Cross-platform compatibility, arguably easier to merge records and manage in a cloud environment/from multiple locations.
You might want to look at Keepass and other variants, and the kdbx format. (And how well its supported). I use that under Linux (I assume you use linux as you mention APG)
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
Having an encrypted text file with passwords in it is certainly better then having common/reused passwords or an unencrypted file.
A good password manager is, however, incrementally better, in the following ways (off the top of my head)
- Better memory management - it can prevent passwords being left in computer memory which can be snaffled by other processes/users.
- It only exposes the needed password, not all of them.
- (Sometimes) Browser integration makes life easier
- Many eyes - a program designed specifically for password management, and audited, likely has stronger processes in place to ensure good hygene.
- Cross-platform compatibility, arguably easier to merge records and manage in a cloud environment/from multiple locations.
You might want to look at Keepass and other variants, and the kdbx format. (And how well its supported). I use that under Linux (I assume you use linux as you mention APG)
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
answered Jan 18 at 4:10
davidgodavidgo
46049
46049
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
|
show 13 more comments
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
10
10
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
With a password manager you can even copy passwords without showing them on the screen, so people around you won't even see that one password.
– Máté Juhász
Jan 18 at 6:31
6
6
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
Not to mention that a password manager can autogenerate very strong, random passwords, using a variety of algorithms.
– Ian Kemp
Jan 18 at 7:45
9
9
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
Browser integration does not only make life easier; it's also a great way to avoid phishing. A website can fool a user, but definitely not the browser and an extension. If you try to log into a site and password autocompletion doesn't kick in, it's a red flag!
– Fabio Turati
Jan 18 at 10:10
4
4
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
My worry with password managers is that they seem a very likely target for a hack. Whereas the secured file stored locally on my machine or usb-drive are not (assumptions on my part).
– Deruijter
Jan 18 at 14:41
2
2
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
Password manager can provide an automatic close and lock after a certain length of time, if you walk away and forget to close your encrypted text file it is unlikely to close itself.
– user3067860
Jan 18 at 17:47
|
show 13 more comments
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Please ping me if this is not a helpful migration. Thanks! (SU ♦)
– studiohack
Jan 18 at 17:57
@studiohack Not a problem. Thanks for migrating it.
– CMB
Jan 18 at 21:22
1
A password manager is special-purpose encrypted file with some additional features and better hardening against potential attacks.
– caw
Jan 20 at 22:46