Password Manager
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
A password manager remembers all your passwords so you don't have to reuse the same one everywhere. It generates long, random, unique passwords for every site and stores them encrypted. You only need one master password to unlock them all. Using one is one of the highest-ROI security moves you can make.
Real Talk
A password manager is an application that generates, stores, and autofills credentials. Passwords are encrypted locally using AES-256 (and derived keys from the master password) before syncing to a server. Popular options: Bitwarden (open source), 1Password, Dashlane. Critical for preventing credential reuse attacks.
When You'll Hear This
"Every employee should use a password manager for work accounts." / "The breach happened because they reused passwords — a password manager would've prevented it."
Related Terms
Authentication (AuthN)
Authentication is proving you are who you say you are.
Brute Force
Brute force is the dumbest but sometimes effective hacking technique — just try every possible password until one works. No creativity needed.
Encryption
Encryption is scrambling your message into gibberish so only someone with the secret decoder ring can read it.
MFA (MFA)
MFA stands for Multi-Factor Authentication. It's the umbrella term for requiring multiple proofs of identity. 2FA is MFA with exactly two factors.
Phishing
Phishing is when hackers pretend to be someone you trust — your bank, your boss, Google — to trick you into giving up your password or clicking a bad link.