Which Password Manager Is the Most Secure?

Choosing the right password manager can be challenging, especially with so many options on the market. But one thing sets password managers apart: their security. So, what features should you look for in a password manager to ensure it truly protects your data? 

The most secure password managers are built on a zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture, use strong encryption algorithms, offer multiple Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) options and undergo regular third-party audits to identify vulnerabilities. Keeper Password Manager meets all of these criteria – and goes beyond them – making it one of the most secure options available for both individuals and organizations.

In this blog, you’ll learn what makes a password manager truly secure and how to compare your options based on important features, security architecture and certifications. 

Top security features to look for in a password manager

When evaluating a password manager, consider these security features to ensure your data stays protected at all times:

Zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture

A password manager that follows a zero-trust approach treats every login and device as untrustworthy. Instead of remembering your device forever or relying solely on your master password, it continuously verifies who you are and what you’re allowed to access. For organizations evaluating password managers, it’s important to choose one that follows a zero-trust framework to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access stored credentials.

Zero knowledge means that your password manager provider has no access to your stored information. Only you hold the key to decrypt your data. Even if someone were to compromise the provider’s servers, your stored data would be unreadable to them.

Strong encryption

Strong encryption is the foundation of a secure password manager. When assessing password management solutions, look for ones that offer End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), which means your data is encrypted locally on your device and remains encrypted while in transit. 

Just as important as when encryption happens is how it’s implemented. The most secure password managers encrypt all vault data through record-level encryption. They typically rely on a combination of trusted, industry-standard cryptographic methods:

• AES-256: Short for Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys. AES-256 is widely used to encrypt stored data and is considered highly secure. In a secure password manager, AES-256 should be implemented at the record level, meaning each vault record is encrypted with a unique, client-side generated 256-bit AES key. 
• PBKDF2: Short for Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2, PBKDF2 takes your master password and uses it to generate a strong cryptographic key that protects your data. PBKDF2 is recommended by NIST and designed to make password cracking significantly more difficult. A secure password manager uses a high iteration count with PBKDF2 to make it significantly harder for cybercriminals to guess your password.
• Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): ECC is a form of public-key cryptography based on the mathematics of elliptic curves. ECC is used in password managers to securely exchange encryption keys, authenticate devices and support secure login flows like Single Sign-On (SSO).

MFA support

MFA adds an extra layer of protection to your password manager vault. It works by requiring one or more forms of authentication in addition to your master password or biometrics. 

For the best protection, look for a password manager that supports:

• Pre-authentication MFA: The second factor should be required before you even enter your master password. This stops unauthorized login attempts at the earliest stage.
• Built-in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) support: Some password managers can store 2FA codes alongside your login credentials. This means you can generate your 2FA codes from the same vault, making logging into accounts more secure and convenient.
• Broad compatibility: The most secure password managers support various MFA methods, including authenticator apps, biometrics, hardware security keys and push-based authentication.

Dark web monitoring

If your email and password are exposed in a data breach, they can end up for sale on the dark web. A good password manager should offer dark web monitoring to help you detect and respond to these threats quickly. But to truly keep your data safe, how the monitoring is done matters just as much as the alerts themselves.

Look for a password manager that:

• Scans known breach data without uploading or exposing your vault contents
• Immediately notifies you if any usernames or passwords in your vault have been compromised
• Uses a Hardware Security Module (HSM) to securely compare password hashes, so breached data can be checked without exposing or linking it to the actual passwords in your vault

Independent security audits and certifications

The most secure password managers undergo third-party audits to find vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. These audits are conducted by accredited security firms that evaluate the provider’s infrastructure, encryption methods, data-handling processes and internal controls. 

In addition to audits, secure password managers also pursue security certifications to demonstrate compliance with recognized standards. These certifications are an important indicator that a provider meets industry best practices for protecting sensitive user data.

Certifications to look for in a password management provider include:

• SOC 2 Type II: Evaluates how a company manages customer data over time, focusing on security, availability and confidentiality.
• ISO 27001: A widely accepted international standard for managing information security risk and implementing systemic controls.
• TRUSTe: Demonstrates that a company’s privacy practices comply with global data protection regulations like GDPR, CCPA and others. This certification involves independent assessments of how user data is collected, stored and shared.
• FedRAMP and GovRAMP Authorized: U.S. government certifications required for cloud service providers that work with federal agencies. They involve some of the most rigorous security assessments in the industry.

Reputation and transparency

Although reputation and transparency aren’t security features, they’re important to consider when choosing a password manager that will help ensure your data is secure. Look for a password management provider that:

• Has a strong track record of security, with no history of breaches
• Maintains clear communication and transparency about how its platform works
• Has a history of responding quickly to potential vulnerabilities
• Has positive reviews from independent security researchers and users

How do popular password managers compare?

Now that you understand the security features you should look for in a password manager, here’s a brief overview of the top five password managers and how their security features compare. 

The bottom line

If you’re looking for a secure password manager that supports both personal users and organizations, solutions like Keeper offer strong security, complete privacy and multiple layers of encryption to protect your data. Keeper is also fanatical about security and makes every detail of its security and encryption model available to the public because customers deserve to know how their stored data is being protected.

Keeper also undergoes quarterly application penetration testing for all of its products and partners with Bugcrowd to manage its bug bounty and Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP).

Ready to strengthen your password security? Start a 30-day personal trial or a 14-day business trial of Keeper Password Manager today. 

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