Basically, a password manager is a practical and helpful way to support your own memory. Especially for those who work daily and a lot on the computer and have to log in with a variety of passwords in different places, benefit from its functions and from its support. However, a password manager does not always bring exclusively Advantages in its use. Anyone who decides to use a password manager to manage their login data should take these disadvantages into account and consider them.
1. forgetting the passwords
Password management by a password manager has the simple disadvantage that it supports forgetting passwords. Ideally, the passwords should be stored in the header so that they can be entered in any situation - even if the password manager is not available. If you rely completely on the Password Manager for your login data, you tend to forget even particularly important and frequently used passwords.
2. forgetting the master password
A password manager is also secured by a password called the master password. This must be particularly strong and secure, as it has a special protective function. Because if you know the master password for the Password Manager, you can also find out all the other passwords. And of course there is a risk that a user forgets and/or loses this master password. It is therefore important to take appropriate security measures for the master password as well.
3. the disclosure of the master password
Since the master password (also called master password) protects all other passwords stored in the Password Manager, it poses a particular risk. Third parties who learn this password have access to all other passwords with it. Careless use of the master password should therefore be avoided at all costs. Anyone who cannot or does not want to remember it should store it in such a way that it is kept safe and cannot be accessed by others, or only with great difficulty.
4. the dependence on the database
The passwords that are stored in the Password Manager are stored in a Database which is assigned to the individual user. Reliable functioning therefore depends on the functionality of the database and on those who manage it. If the database gets corrupted or deleted, backup copies must exist. So for a password manager, choose software that comes from a well-known company that can be expected to handle its databases with care. This applies not only to the database inventory, but also to its protection. For example, the stored passwords should not simply be stored unencrypted in the database, otherwise they are too easily accessible to third parties.
5. disadvantages of password managers in the browser
Password management software is also included in most web browsers. However, this is not always fully developed and therefore has disadvantages when using it. For example, the stored passwords are not always secure. If, for example, a third party gains access to the computer that is currently running (or even not protected by a password), you can get to the passwords stored in the browser with just a few clicks. However, the developers of browsers are currently trying to close this security gap.
6. passwords in a very small space
If third parties have gained access to the access data stored in the Password Manager, all passwords must be completely exchanged. This is the disadvantage of making all passwords accessible in a single place (the Password Manager). Depending on the scope of the exchange can be very time-consuming. There is also the risk that individual passwords are forgotten during the exchange.
