My experience with the Bitwarden password manager
I’ve tried quite a few password managers, but none has convinced me as much as Bitwarden. Read here why I value this open source solution so much.
Did you ever have a note hidden in your desk with countless passwords written on it? Or can you still find one at your parents’ place today? Recently, I found a Word file named "Passwords" on a friend’s desktop. If I were a burglar today, I wouldn’t look for physical objects, but for exactly these kinds of notes. Quite often they also contain credit card details and much more. Managing your login credentials like this is more than just careless.
Why is a password manager so important?
You need an account for almost every online service. Unfortunately, people far too often use identical or similar passwords (usually out of convenience). Besides private use, there’s also the professional side for me: there, too, I use numerous tools and manage services for clients – all protected by passwords. It would be negligent to always use the same password.
That’s why I relied on a password manager early on. To protect my data and the data of my clients and companies.
Which password managers are there?
There are many different password managers on the market, but some of the best known are LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, Keeper and Bitwarden.
LastPass is a free password manager with a premium version that offers extra features such as additional layers of security and priority support. It lets you store passwords, credit card information and other sensitive data and syncs them automatically across all devices. Recently, however, LastPass has made negative headlines after several hacks became known. I was a LastPass user myself at first, until I switched to Bitwarden.
1Password offers similar features to LastPass, but it is a paid service with a free trial. It also offers a family sharing option that lets several users access shared passwords and accounts.
Dashlane is another popular password manager that offers similar features to the previous two. However, it also has a built-in VPN feature that improves online privacy.
Keeper is another password manager that lets you store and sync passwords, credit card information and other sensitive data. It also offers optional two-step authentication and a shared access option for businesses.
Bitwarden is also a popular password manager. It offers features similar to other password managers, such as storing and syncing passwords, credit card information and other sensitive data. It also has a free version as well as a premium version that offers extra features such as the ability to create multiple identities and priority support. An interesting feature of Bitwarden is that it is also open source software, which means developers can review and adapt the code.
It’s important to keep in mind that no password manager is perfect and that it’s best to use several layers of security, including good password practices and two-factor authentication.
How can you find out whether your password has been cracked?
Every now and then you hear about data leaks, i.e. data collections that are usually traded somewhere on the dark web. So it’s a good idea to check regularly whether your email address has shown up in any leak. I always like to use Have I Been Pwned – a service run by a former Intel employee.
Why a password alone isn’t enough!
Besides managing your passwords, it’s important to always have them generated randomly. I have over 400 passwords, but I only know a single one by heart! All the others were created randomly with a generator and are always longer than 15 characters.
In addition, you should use two-factor authentication wherever possible. For this, I use the (also open source) Aegis app.
My final verdict on the Bitwarden password manager
Bitwarden is a password manager that stands out from other password managers thanks to its security, ease of use and flexibility. I also find it more intuitive than LastPass was.
One of Bitwarden’s most important features is its high level of security: all data is protected with AES-256 encryption and PBKDF2 salt, and it also supports two-factor authentication. It is also open source software, which means the code can be reviewed and improved by the community, which increases security.
I find Bitwarden very user-friendly. It’s easy to use and has an intuitive interface. It also syncs data across multiple devices, which makes it easier to access passwords, notes and card details (e.g. credit cards) from anywhere.
Another feature that sets Bitwarden apart from other password managers is its flexibility. It offers both a free version and a premium version with extra features such as priority support and family sharing. It is also available on many platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux. I use the premium features because I also manage my digital estate with Bitwarden. That means if something happens to me, my wife receives all the information after a certain waiting period.
Overall, Bitwarden is an excellent password manager that stands out for its high security, ease of use and flexibility. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and secure way to manage their passwords and other personal data.