Let's be honest - saving passwords in a web browser seems extremely convenient. Chrome or Edge offers to save them; all that needs to happen next is clicking "yes." But could there be potential risks here?
But here's the thing: just because something is straightforward does not make it safe. In fact, using your browser's built-in password manager is similar to leaving your house keys under the doormat and hoping no hackers come knocking.
In the perfect world we would ditch passwords all together. However, most organisations aren’t ready for that. For now, we still need passwords. In my last post we talked about the latest NIST standards. Now let’s talk about how to store these passwords in a way that doesn't create a security risk. Most people will leverage their web browser's password management tool because it’s super easy.
So, what should we do?
Modern malware is tailored specifically for browser-based attacks, making your passwords in Chrome, Edge or Safari an inviting target for credential-stealing malware that does not need to break down doors to get in and take what it wants.
Mid-2025 saw a massive breach which exposed 16+ billion stolen credentials. Many via browser-stored data via malware like RedLine, Raccoon and Vidar.
Browsers were never meant to be secure vaults. Most browsers do not implement zero-knowledge architecture, which guarantees that passwords stored with them remain confidential - even from their vendor.
Their password managers:
Worse, malware can export your entire list of saved passwords with shockingly little resistance. Yikes.
Cybercriminals have adopted sophisticated tools like ChatGPT to develop more insidious info-stealers. These attacks can bypass basic browser protections and steal all of your saved credentials across digital services - potentially opening a floodgate of fraud across your digital life.
Now is the time to upgrade from your browser's password manager and switch over to a real password manager, one with serious security in mind.
Dedicated solutions operate on a zero-knowledge model, ensuring only you are capable of decrypting your vault. In addition, these dedicated solutions often offer robust MFA, breach notification services and strong encryption--features typically lacking or weaker in browser managers.
| Feature | Browser-based | Dedicated managers |
| Encryption | Often weak or vendor-accessible | Zero-knowledge, strong encryption (e.g., AES‑256, XChaCha20) |
| Multi‑Factor Protection | Rare or inconsistent | Master password + MFA (authenticator apps, hardware) |
| Breach Monitoring | None | Integrated breach alerts and dark‑web scanning |
| Cross‑Platform Support | Fragmented (especially mobile/web) | Unified across devices and platforms |
| Resilience to Malware/Threats | High risk from profile attacks and extensions | Isolation and vault-based protection architectures |
Here are the three password managers that are generally considered great options:
| Bitwarden | 1Password | NordPass |
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Your browser is great for browsing. It’s not great for guarding your digital identity.
If you’re serious about protecting your accounts, business, or customers, treat your credentials like the crown jewels. A real password manager:
And best of all? You only have to remember one strong master password.
So go ahead. Break up with your browser's password manager. It's not you, it's them.
As certified IT security experts, we can help you fortify your defences, uphold regulatory compliance, improve your company's security posture and proactively maintain your servers and networks to protect you from evolving cyber risks.