Password Management Applications and Practices

Passwords are fundamental for information security. They are used as a first-line defense in securing almost all electronic information, networks, servers, devices, accounts, databases, files, and more. Most of us now have a multitude of passwords we need to somehow track and remember. This paper will cover the latest recommendations for secure password management practices including the use of third party password management applications. It will provide an overview of how password management applications work, the security they provide, and the benefits and risks of using them. It will then take a deeper dive into the options, technical implementation, and potential security vulnerabilities of three of the most popular password applications: Last Pass, Dashlane, and Keepass.