As I switched to Bitwarden years ago, I felt confident about my decision. But with the rise of account takeovers and phishing kits, “pretty good” is no longer enough. The problem lies in concentrating risk on a single platform – your browser password manager.
When all your passwords, autofill data, and two-factor codes live in one synced account, you’ve concentrated all your risk. If that account gets compromised, everything goes with it. Most people lack a recovery plan: offline backup of recovery keys, emergency access contact, or exported vault stored safely. This leaves you vulnerable when the moment comes.
The solution is simple yet effective. Separate responsibilities by using:
* A dedicated password manager for unique passwords
* A separate authenticator app for time-based two-factor codes
* A simple backup plan living outside both tools
By distributing these tasks among separate tools, each with its own job, you contain the fallout and turn “pretty secure” into genuinely resilient. Create an export cadence: once a month or quarter, export an encrypted copy of your vault and store it offline. This 15-minute process builds a parachute for when disaster strikes.
Common habits, like taking screenshots of recovery codes, undermine security. Be sure to:
* Use a dedicated password manager
* Give every important account unique, randomly generated passwords
* Ensure strong, unique master passwords and two-factor authentication on your password manager itself
Remember: true security comes from separating responsibilities, creating an export cadence, and avoiding common habits that weaken your security.
Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/stop-trusting-your-browser-with-passwords-use-this-safer-3-step-setup-instead