Why You Should Think Twice Before Storing Passwords in Your Browser

Picture this: You’re at your desk, creating yet another new account for an online service. You spend a few minutes coming up with a clever password that you haven’t used elsewhere—something unique but easy to remember. With a sigh, you type it in again to confirm. Just as you’re about to hit "submit," a helpful popup from your browser appears: "Would you like me to save that password for you?" Your eyes light up. "Yes, please!" you think, relieved at the thought of not having to remember yet another password. But hold on a second… Is this convenient option really as safe as it seems?

In this blog post, you’ll find out why you shouldn’t store passwords in your browser, how cybercriminals exploit this vulnerability, and why using a password vault (or manager) is a far more secure option. 

The Dangers of Storing Passwords in Your Browser

Convenient, But at What Cost?

There’s no question that storing passwords in your browser is slick and convenient. However, it almost seems to be a law of the universe that convenience and security don’t mix. For example, it would be convenient to store your house key under the welcome mat, or even just leave your door unlocked – but would you do it? That’s a risk you would not likely take! Or have you ever had to install a child safety seat in your backseat? It’s awkward messing with all those buckles and straps. It would be way more convenient just to buckle your toddler into the seatbelt – but we know that just isn’t a safe (or legal) option!

It's a similar situation when you store passwords in your browser. Sure, logging in is a breeze, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting complex combinations of letters and numbers. But just like leaving your front door unlocked, this convenience carries a lot of risk.

The easier something is for you to access, the easier it becomes for cybercriminals to exploit it. When you store passwords in your browser, you’re essentially leaving the keys to your most valuable online accounts in a place where they can be more easily acquired.

Cybercriminals Love Browser-Stored Passwords

Cybercriminals are well aware of the trade-off most people unknowingly make when they agree to store passwords in their browser. Hackers can easily steal passwords stored in browsers using various tools.
One particularly concerning threat recently came to light in a report by Sophos – it involves ransomware tools going beyond just locking files – they are also stealing credentials. 

Case Study: The Qilin Ransomware

According to the investigation, a ransomware group known as Qilin goes beyond traditional attacks by targeting and stealing credentials stored in Google Chrome browsers. Once it infiltrates a system, Qilin harvests saved passwords which can then be used to access online accounts, steal identities, or sell the information on the dark web. This would mean that once discovered, the affected users might have to change dozens of business-related passwords. But what if some individuals had also stored passwords to personal accounts on their work machine’s browser? The scope of the attack would now extend beyond the company and infiltrate personal accounts of team members as well. This case highlights the dangers of relying on browsers to store passwords, especially when ransomware is involved.

What are some of the risks associated with browser-stored passwords? And what safer alternatives are out there? Read on for details.

Why Browser Password Managers Are Risky

Browser password managers offer convenience, but they come with significant security risks:

• Single Point of Failure: If your browser is compromised, all your stored passwords are at risk.
• Vulnerabilities: Browsers require frequent security updates due to discovered vulnerabilities, any of which could expose your credentials.
• Set to Remain Logged In: Most browsers keep you signed-in, so if a device is stolen no login would be needed by the criminal to access your saved passwords.
• Primary Functionality: Protecting your passwords and personal information is not the primary function of a browser. They are designed to access websites, so they are not purpose-built for securing your credentials.

The Benefits of Password Vaults (Managers)

So, what’s the alternative? Dedicated password managers, also known as password vaults, offer a much more secure solution for storing and managing your passwords. Popular and secure password managers include Keeper, NordPass, Dashlane and others. Some major benefits include:

1. Robust Encryption: Unlike browser password managers, dedicated password vaults use strong encryption to protect your credentials, making it extremely difficult for hackers to access your information.
2. Cross-Platform Security: Password vaults work across multiple devices and browsers, providing consistent protection no matter where or how you access your accounts. They can also fill in credentials for apps outside of the browser.
3. Protection Against Phishing: Password managers can automatically fill in your credentials when you visit a legitimate site - but they won’t autofill for a counterfeit site. This would alert you to confirm the authenticity of the site you are accessing, helping you avoid phishing scams.
4. Password Auditing: Password managers will give you alerts to strengthen weak or reused passwords and make the update process simple and secure.
5. Secure Password Generation: Most password vaults include a feature to generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, further reducing the risk of a breach.
6. Additional Functionality: Password managers allow you to save files, pictures, ID’s and more in a secure cloud-based vault. They also allow you to safely share credentials in a secure way with friends, family or coworkers.

How Can I Know if My Organization is Safe?

The Role of Penetration Testing in Password Security

Knowing you shouldn’t store passwords in a browser is one thing, and creating a policy to that effect is another… but how can you find out if your team members are abiding by the policy? Penetration testing, or pen testing, is an essential tool for assessing your organization’s cybersecurity posture, particularly when it comes to password management. A pen test simulates a cyber attack on your network and systems. This process can reveal how effectively your organization’s passwords are protected and whether employees are following best practices.

A security assessment can provide insights into:

• Password Strength: Are your passwords strong enough to resist attacks?
• Storage Practices: Are passwords being stored securely, or are there vulnerabilities that need to be addressed?
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Discover if accounts are being protected with a vital second layer of security.
• Compliance: Is your organization meeting industry standards for password security?

By understanding these factors, you can take proactive steps to strengthen your defenses and protect your sensitive data.

Don’t Let Convenience Compromise Your Security

The convenience of storing passwords in your browser might seem tempting, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. As the Qilin ransomware case demonstrates, the potential for devastating data breaches is very real. By switching to a dedicated password manager, you can significantly reduce your risk and ensure that your business’s sensitive information remains secure.

At allCare IT, we specialize in helping businesses like yours implement robust cybersecurity measures. We can help you switch to a password manager to protect your online accounts. We can also reveal your overall cybersecurity level by performing an assessment. Protect your business—contact us today to learn how we can help protect your business from cyber threats.