Password Managers
A password manager is essential to create and keep track of multiple login credentials. These software tools allow the use of a single secure passphrase to manage everything in one place, create secure passwords as needed, automatically fill in login credentials, and provide encrypted, zero knowledge storage in the cloud. I have been a premium subscriber of LastPass now for several years and have advocated the use of password managers to whomever would listen.
Why switch?
Security has been a concern recently with Lastpass. A breach reported to have occurred in the later half of 2022 was particularly disturbing and motivated me to change passwords to important accounts, change my master password, and ultimately set me off in search of an alternative password manager.
1Password
I ended up choosing the 1Password family subscription after the 14 day trial. It was immediately plain that the user interface and usability were big improvements over LastPass. Features such as the ability to create multiple vaults and easily share blocks of passwords among specific family subscribers (up to 5 people can share) also felt like upgrades. I'm optimistic the security will be better.
A More Secure Master Password
In the case of creating a master password and in creating other passwords which require me to frequently type in (such as network credentials) I have taken on the task of implementing more secure pass phrases as recommended by EFF. These are references:
1Password has a handy online pass phrase generator - this is much quicker than using dice and lookups, but obviously not as secure:
1Password also has a learning site where you can get training on how to be more secure online as well as how to use their tools and take advantage of their subscriptions.