Password Manager Glossary

However, when searching for the ideal password manager solution – either on the internet or by going through our site – you may come across certain terms that cannot be avoided and yet could be confusing or downright incomprehensible for users who have never dealt with password managers before. Understanding these terms is crucial to choosing the best solution possible, which is why we have collected the most common and important expressions related to the world of password manager software.

Terms

AES-256 bit encryption

AES-256 is the norm used on almost every website to encrypt highly sensitive data, and is currently one of the most secure encryption methods in existence. AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard, which is a cipher chosen by the U.S. government to be the standard encryption for securing data online. The ‘256′ relates to the size of the “key” being used, and while this can get complicated essentially it affects what level of encryption data must go through before it is sent to its destination. The bigger the size of the key is the better, since a hacker will have to go through more attempts at cracking the correct combination before successfully deciphering the data. In other words, data on sites protected by AES-256 encryption is virtually impervious to hacking.

Autofill

A feature provided by password managers and web browsers to reduce the time of filling out boxes on login screens and online forms. Each time you enter your login credentials or fill out a form for the first time this feature will prompt you to save the information to either the browser’s own cache or the password manager’s vault, so next time you visit the same page the program will automatically fill any boxes that are required for accessing a site or completing an online purchase.

Biometric authentication

Biometric authentication is one of the most secure authentication methods since it relies on the unique biological characteristics of the person it is registered, such as using the human face, fingerprints, voice, or eyes for confirmation. When using biometric authentication the system only permits access to a device or a website if the provided biometric data matches the data stored in the authenticator’s database. Since this technology is available in top-tier smartphones only, password managers always use fingerprint-based biometric authentication as part of the two-factor authentication – meaning it’s necessary to provide both a biometric sample and your password in order to access restricted accounts.

Keylogger

Keylogger – AKA keystroke logger or keyboard capturer – is a device or program that records the keys used on a computer’s or smart device’s keyboard. Although keylogging can be used for studying human-computer interaction – to such an extent that the computer can predict what you’re about the type – it can also be turned into a weapon against innocent users to steal their passwords and other credentials. The best ways to protect yourself against keyloggers is to examine your device for unknown hardware and to use preventive methods such as antivirus and one time passwords.