Password manager
Stores your passwords encrypted and fills them in on the right sites. Lets you have a long, unique password for every service while remembering only one master password.
Tools
Tools
Protecting your accounts and data relies not on a single tool but on several that complement each other. A password manager ends password reuse, a second factor protects sign-in even if your password leaks, and a backup saves your data if you lose a device. In this section we describe the types of tools: what each one does, what it protects against and what it does not.
No tool protects against everything. Habits do: unique passwords, a second factor and a pause before every "urgent" action.
How this section works: we describe types of tools, not specific products. We do not name brands, publish rankings or accept payment for mentions. Download software only from official app stores and developers' websites.
Types of tools
Six types of tools that make up basic digital protection.
Authenticator app
Generates one-time codes for the second factor right on your phone, without SMS. The code changes every few seconds and is not sent over the mobile network.
Hardware key
A small physical device that confirms your sign-in. The key checks the website's address, so it protects well against phishing pages. It is worth having a spare key.
Breach checks
Services that compare your email address or password against lists from known data breaches. They help you see which passwords need changing. Only check a password with services that never receive it in full.
Antivirus and browser protection
Protect against malware and warn you about suspicious websites. It is also important to update your operating system and browser promptly: updates fix known vulnerabilities.
Backups
Regular copies of important files on a separate drive or in the cloud. They save your data if you lose your phone, your computer breaks or you are hit by ransomware.
Related sections
- Practical guides
Step-by-step guides: two-factor authentication, password managers, breach checks, phishing, diploma verification. Also home to the article catalogue.
- Comparisons
Comparing second-factor methods and ways of storing passwords: strengths and weaknesses.
- Security
Common fraud schemes: sellers of documents, pyramid schemes, "easy money", phishing, fake tech support.
Sources
- NIST SP 800-63B
- Bank of Russia — financial literacy materials
Laws, bank rules and service features change. This information is based on official sources as of the preparation date — check the current versions of laws and the instructions of the services themselves.