Password Manager and VPN

Thanks to the increasing number of employees working from home, many businesses have prioritized cybersecurity measures. Still, managing security is more difficult with employees scattered in their homes. A hacker needs only one vulnerable spot to gain access to your corporate systems and do untold damage.

Password managers and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are two ways organizations bolster the security of their systems. Both methods are critical in protecting an individual or organization from the threats of unauthorized access. In this article, learn more about what password managers and VPNs are, how they work, and how best to use them to protect your organization.

TeamPassword is a cutting-edge business password management solution that includes password-sharing capabilities. Using TeamPassword, your employees need only remember their master password and have the rest stored and changed regularly to keep corporate data secure. Sign up for a free trial of TeamPassword to see how your business can benefit from it.

What Is a Password Manager?

Even though other authentication methods continue to increase, passwords are a critical strategy for preventing unauthorized login to various sites and services. Today, individuals manage tens of passwords to access different sites, and many end up using the same password or set of passwords.

This, however, is highly unsafe, given the sophistication of hackers’ methods today. In fact, over 80 percent of all data breaches happen because of weak, repeated, or shared passwords. As a result, the latest regulations advise people to use unique, long, and random pass-phrases for each online account. However, this creates the problem of remembering each password, given that you shouldn’t write them down anywhere for added security.

This is where password managers come in. Depending on their features, they generate, store, and autofill your online credentials (usernames, emails, and passwords) for various accounts. TeamPassword, for example, also includes a secure and encrypted platform for password sharing. This allows colleagues who need the same access codes to share them securely, not on chat, email, instant messaging services, or even calls.

What Is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service/platform/solution that hides/masks your IP address to make your connection and online actions untraceable to people without the right credentials. VPNs use encryption to scramble any information you share through a wireless network.

How does this work?

Every time you use a public Wi-Fi network, a hacker (or even the network owner) may be able to see/access your browsing data or private information transmitted on the network. With the VPN, you can protect your sensitive data from people with nefarious intentions.

Just like password managers, there are several VPN options, and these have various features. In addition, there are free, mid-range, and enterprise-level VPNs that offer varying levels of protection. Just as you would your password manager, it is critical to research the various VPN solutions to find the one that offers the highest level of protection without breaking your budget.

Examples of VPN Services That Include Password Managers

Additionally, some VPNs also include password managers so that you have a single solution handling both. Some of the most famous ones include:

Dashlane VPN and Password Manager

Dashlane has a VPN and Password Manager in basic and premium subscriptions. Premium subscriptions allow you to get unlimited password storage across an unlimited number of devices. The in-built VPN app can also do dark web monitoring, among other VPN applications.

This means that the VPN scans the web (including the dark web) for your information and notifies you when your credentials are found somewhere they shouldn’t be. The VPN also encrypts all information going out of your devices so that nobody can track your activity or view information.

Kaspersky VPN and Password Manager

Kaspersky began as a premium anti-virus, but they have since diversified their products to include various cybersecurity solutions. Kaspersky has a Password Manager that offers password storage and document scanning, but it doesn’t have critical features like password inheritance and password sharing. Because it is fairly new, users also complain about an inconsistent form filling experience and a highly basic web browser extension.

The Kaspersky VPN is called Kaspersky Secure Connection, has a large network of servers in over 30 countries. It doesn’t log web activity, allowing one to browse without worrying that their private information is up for sale. Additionally, it provides static and dynamic IP address features and 256-bit encryption, making it effective as a VPN.

Managing Password Managers and VPNs

It is possible to run a password manager alongside a VPN, and there are many advantages to this. Most notably, with different services, you can get the best security features from both VPN and password manager. TeamPassword leads its pack of password-sharing credential management solutions. Sign up for your free trial and start reaping its benefits today.

While you can find a VPN that also offers password management, we don’t recommend this. Most VPN service providers will make average-level password managers and vice versa. To guarantee the best results, research exhaustively according to the size and needs of your business, then get a top-range VPN and separate password manager according to your budget.

It is possible to run these two programs separately since neither interferes with how the other operates. If you wish to use a VPN and your devices also include internal firewalls, you should disable the firewall as it may block some of your VPN’s protection features and leave you vulnerable. Remember to couple your VPN’s protections with a robust password manager like TeamPassword.

Do I Need a VPN if I Have a Good Password Manager?

As we have mentioned earlier, VPNs and password managers don’t do the same thing. Neither program can replace the other, which means that you need both to ensure the highest level of protection. In addition, neither solution offers 100 percent protection. Password managers only generate, store, and share your password through encrypted platforms; they cannot block your IP address or online activity.

Suppose you are browsing at a restaurant with public Wi-Fi. You may wish to log onto your bank account or social media profile, and you have a password manager that stores your credentials.

Even though your passwords are protected, someone connected to the same network may be able to snoop on your browsing activities or accounts. If you have stored any passwords unsafely (such as stored on an online note-taking app), they may be able to gain access. In this case, you still need a secure and reliable VPN to encrypt your online activities as an added layer of security.

Should I Use a Free VPN or Free Password Manager?

By now, you understand the importance of both virtual private networks and password managers. You may be asking yourself, “Are free versions okay, or must I get a premium product?” No single answer fits every case. 

Most free versions of VPNs and password managers have limited capabilities. For example, some password managers will limit the number of passwords you can store or the number of devices synced. Some solutions, however, can cause more damage than protection because their free versions aren’t well secured.

Certain free password managers or VPN may be okay for an individual browsing the internet – but you must research extensively to see the reviews of previous users before signing on. At all times, remember that you are trusting this solution with your online credentials and most private online activities. Can you trust your most private login information to a free, unregulated tool?

Businesses, however, must always choose a premium subscription product with all the features they need. For example, a business needs high-level password security, tech support, and additional features like encrypted password sharing. However, it’s worth mentioning that the most expensive solution isn’t necessarily the best – check the reviews and how the features suit your needs. 

In Conclusion: Get TeamPassword for Ultimate Password Management

Passwords are still with us for the foreseeable future, even with the rise of biometrics and other authentication methods. Even if you have a reliable VPN, you need a secure and reliable password management tool to protect your business systems from unauthorized access without making it harder for your teams to access the tools, sites, and information they need.

TeamPassword is specially tailored as a password generation, management, and sharing tool for businesses of all sizes. With packages beginning at just five users, small businesses can ensure they are protected without breaking the bank. Talk to us today or sign up for your free trial to see how TeamPassword works for your business.