To log into social networks, email or any other online platform, you need to enter your username and password. However, you don’t always have to fill in all of these. There is the option of saving your details and having your account automatically log in, just by entering the website. For example, you can do this on Facebook, Gmail, etc. But is this a good idea? We are going to talk to you about it.
The goal is to make you take care of your security. Sometimes, saving passwords so that accounts log in automatically is not the best option. In fact, you could compromise your security and privacy. Although it is true that you gain in convenience, but not when it comes to protection.
Save or not save the password
If you log into an online platform in Chrome, for example, when you enter your details, it will ask you if you want to save the username and password. This means that the next time you log in, you don’t have to enter the password again. It may seem interesting, but it also has its risks.
Malware that steals stored keys
The first thing that can happen is that there is some malware on your system that can collect those stored passwords. Basically, what this malware does is access your browser and see the credentials you have chosen to store there. An attacker could gain access to your account through this means.
If you had to enter your password every time you log in, although it is true that you can fall victim to other threats, such as keyloggers, you would be better protected against this problem.
You don’t change them frequently
Another problem is that you might forget the importance of changing your passwords from time to time. By always logging in automatically, you simply forget what password you are even using. Maybe you use it somewhere else or it was leaked at some point. It is important to always change them.
However, if you log in with your data and passwords all the time, you are less likely to forget to change them from time to time. You will always be more aware of this and you will be able to realize that it is advisable to create a more complex password and, from time to time, change it for a different one.
Someone can access your device
You should also keep in mind that someone else could access your device. This could be a mobile phone or a computer where you have previously stored the password. If someone had physical access, they could access your Facebook account, email or any other account without having to enter the password.
This would make you more exposed to potential intruders. Once again, avoiding saving passwords and accessing without having to enter the key each time would be a problem that would affect security and privacy on the Internet.
Ultimately, using strong and complex passwords is essential. This will increase the time it takes to crack a password. However, it will also be very important, in order to increase protection, to avoid saving the password in the browser.
