Passwords are a fact of life in the digital age.
We all know the perils of using one password for all our accounts. (It’s basically like unlocking every room and safe in your house and then leaving the front door wide open.) However, creating unique and strong passwords for every account can be overwhelming.
Third-party password managers are a safe choice. Internet browsers are another popular option. Chrome is an internet browser that Google created and released in 2008. Initially designed for Windows XP, Chrome is now compatible with any platform, including Macs, PCs, and all types of mobile devices. With its sleek interface and robust performance, Chrome quickly became the browser of choice for millions worldwide.
In 2022, Chrome dominated the global desktop web browser game, claiming nearly 70 percent of the market share. Its popularity is mainly due to its ease of use and customization options, such as extensions for ad blockers, language translators, etc. Chrome’s versatility and seamless integration with Google’s suite of services make it a convenient choice for users who rely on multiple Google products. Additionally, Chrome’s frequent updates and security patches help maintain a secure browsing environment.
Google Chrome has made it easy to save and store your passwords in your browser, so you never have to remember them or type them in manually. Plus, it’s free and already at your fingertips. The convenience of Chrome’s password manager is undeniable, as it simplifies the login process across devices and platforms. However, this convenience comes with certain limitations that users must consider.
But is this method of storing your passwords secure? Here is all you need to know about Chrome password safety.
[Table of Contents]
- Is Google Password Manager Safe?
- Can Google Password Manager Be Hacked?
- How Does Google Create and Store Passwords?
- Is a Dedicated Password Manager Worth It?
- An Alternative Without Google's Password Security Issues
Is Google Password Manager Safe?
While better than having no password manager, Google Password Manager's security leaves much to be desired. They have unclear security standards and the overall security of your passwords is tied to your account and device security far too closely.
The reason dedicated third-party password managers typically cannot reset your master password or require additional device-based authentication to do so is because they do not store your master password or have an alternative way to authenticate your account.
Google, on the other hand, has full access to your Google account (which you need to use their password manager), and so in theory can view your passwords and of course reset your account password when needed (or if tricked by a threat actor).
Dedicated password managers usually use client-side encryption and so-called "zero-knowledge architecture" to ensure that your passwords remain encrypted without the master password.
Google promises no such security for their password manager.
Chrome has made improvements to their password manager: you can lock it with a biometric passkey, share passwords with family members, and sync across multiple devices by accessing password.google.com. Previously, you could only access them through Chrome, and not everyone wants to use the Chrome browser.
Google Password Manager's safety will never be on par with what a dedicated password manager can offer. Dedicated password managers are designed with a focus on security, incorporating features like end-to-end encryption, biometric logins, and zero-knowledge architecture, where even the service provider cannot access your stored passwords. These specialized tools are built to withstand sophisticated cyberattacks and provide users with granular control over their password security.
It’s like the difference between buying a croissant from your local coffee shop and buying a croissant from a patisserie owned by a baker trained in France. Specialization produces a superior product, whether it’s pastries or password managers. A dedicated password manager not only generates strong passwords but also regularly audits them for potential vulnerabilities, alerts users to breaches, and provides secure storage for sensitive information like credit card details and personal identification numbers.
But Chrome’s password security issues go deeper. The lack of advanced features and the potential for unauthorized access make Chrome’s password manager a less secure option. Users must weigh the trade-off between convenience and security carefully. While Chrome’s password manager offers a quick and easy way to store passwords, it lacks the comprehensive protection that a dedicated manager can provide. As cyber threats continue to evolve, relying on a robust and specialized password management tool becomes essential to safeguarding one’s digital identity.
Can Google Password Manager Be Hacked?
We saved the biggest problem with Chrome password safety for last.
When you use Chrome passwords, or any browser-based password manager for that matter, getting access to your accounts is as simple as gaining access to your device.
Anyone who lays hands on your device at the office, the cafe, or the subway (if you accidentally leave your briefcase behind) can access every account you have saved in Chrome passwords.
This leaves you wide open to being hacked. Furthermore, someone with access to your Google Account could reset your primary password and lock you out of your own vault.
Most of us sync our Chrome accounts across devices. It’s easy to forget which devices have access. Check that here.
A dedicated password manager protects you by requiring you to log in with a separate “master” password. It automatically locks your passwords after a specific amount of time has passed.
How Does Google Chrome Password Manager Create and Store Passwords?
The convenience of Google Chrome is what hooks most users. It's free and doesn't require installation.
Here’s how it works. The first time you enter a password on a new website, Chrome will send a prompt that asks if you want to save it. You can choose to Save, Never, or ignore the prompt.
For many people, that little pop-up is a welcome sight. They click “Save” and sigh in relief that they don’t have to commit the password to memory or record it somewhere, which can make it vulnerable to loss or theft.
However, the relief they feel is somewhat misplaced.
Is a Dedicated Password Manager Worth It?
This is a choice that only you can make. Consider the following scenario if you’re unsure about disabling Chrome passwords and switching to a dedicated password manager.
Imagine what would happen if your passwords were compromised. You wake up one day, and without warning, you can no longer access your email (your personal and work accounts), your online banking, your usual online shopping sites, your stored cloud data, or your social media accounts. Everything is locked away and out of your reach.
Or worse, you don’t know you’ve been hacked until later when you get a huge credit card bill or something else that reveals someone stole your identity.
This would be a life-altering event, wouldn’t it? Trying to undo the consequences would be extremely costly in time and money.
A password manager can prevent this kind of upheaval from happening to you. And while password managers aren’t free like Google Chrome, they are well worth the investment.
An Alternative Without Google's Password Security Issues
TeamPassword offers a fast, safe, and easy solution for storing and managing your passwords that doesn’t leave you vulnerable to Chrome password security issues. Another plus is that TeamPassword has a Chrome extension that holds all your personal and company login information. And even if someone has access to your device, they cannot get through to your TeamPassword account without knowing your master password and having access to your 2FA authenticator.
TeamPassword is an app dedicated to cybersecurity. Passwords aren’t just an extra feature; it’s all we do.
An additional feature is our password generator and password strength tester. Our customizable password generator is the way to go if you are stuck trying to create a password. You could also test to see if your current passwords are secure. It’ll also give you an estimate of how long it’ll take to be hacked.
Create and customize strong passwords you can use with any browser or device, and access all your passwords whenever and wherever you need them.
With TeamPassword, your passwords are secure, even if your device falls into the wrong hands. Try TeamPassword free for 14 days.
With all that being said, while using the Chrome password manager seems more convenient, it’s not the most secure way to hold your passwords.
