Feel like you’re spending more time online these days? You’re not alone. From working to shopping, from entertainment to connecting with loved ones, many of us have shifted a huge portion of our routines to the digital world. Though there are conveniences to doing everything online, the shift also brings up some common struggles. More time online means more time logging in to apps and services, creating new accounts, and worrying about cybersecurity. If you find yourself struggling with passwords and wondering how to keep your personal information safe, for both work and home, it’s time to try a password manager like LastPass.
More time online, for work and fun
Remote work was once a rising trend, but now it’s the new norm. Given the need to communicate and collaborate while working outside the office, we’re turning to technology more than ever. Use of apps that facilitate video conferencing, remote presentations, messaging, and more have soared in the past few months.
We’re not just working more online – we’re also seeking out entertainment and connecting more with others online, too. Social media websites and news outlets have seen surges in traffic, as people try to stay in touch with loved ones and keep up with rapidly changing events. Online shopping is also breaking records, with retailers like Target reporting average sales in April that exceeded Cyber Monday sales.
In short, we’re all online, more of the time, consuming lots of information – and undoubtedly opening ourselves up to more risk, too. You need to take precautions to protect your online activity – both professional and personal – from cybercrime.
Being aware of the security risks
Cyber criminals are taking advantage of the increased time everyone is spending online. Security groups are reporting record-breaking numbers of cybercriminal activity and scams, costing Americans an estimated $39 million so far this year. Malware, social engineering, stolen passwords – all can lead to the theft of your personal information and money.
Unfortunately, bad password and cyber security habits put you at much higher risk of being hacked. 44% of people are still using the same password for all of their accounts, even though 91% know that reusing passwords is a huge security risk. And 53% admit they haven’t changed their password in the last year, even after hearing about a data breach in the news! Reusing passwords and failing to update passwords after a breach makes it all too easy for a hacker to log in to your accounts.
5 ways a password manager minimizes risk
Taking basic precautions when spending time online can go a long way towards keeping your information – and your money – safe. A password manager like LastPass will not only help you step up your cybersecurity for work and home, it will also make it easier for you and your family to access everything you need online.
- Autofill for every password: What’s better than never having to worry about forgetting a password? Never having to type one, either. Every username and password is filled for you when you’re ready to sign in to an app or website.
- Seamless access across all devices, for free: No matter where you’re logging in, or what device you’re using, you need an easy way to access everything you store online. Choose a password manager with unlimited password storage that syncs across all your devices, for free.
- Strong encryption with a password only you know: Store your information in a locked vault that you, and only you, can unlock with your Master Password. Your sensitive information is encrypted locally on your device before it syncs with LastPass, and is decrypted on your device when you log in.
- Easy family access for shared accounts: LastPass Families helps you take control of your family’s digital life by making it easy to store and share passwords everyone needs. Automatically sync any password changes to shared accounts and keep records of important family details like Social Security Numbers and Driver’s Licenses.
- Generated passwords for every account: The built-in password generator will create long, randomized passwords that protect you from hackers. When every password is unique, a security issue at one website won’t put all of your online accounts at risk.
