Onboarding Success Tip #1 - Use a Password Manager

So, you finally landed that new job. Congratulations!  You're likely to be inundated with the need to keep track of multiple user names and passwords that will require you to make each of them unique or specifically formatted to that application.  It increases security to have different passwords. That said, who can remember them all and it's really not a good idea to track them on paper or even in a document or spreadsheet.  The best thing to do at this point is to use a password vault.  There are many out there. Some you have to pay for, some you do not. A few months ago, PC Magazine analyzed several password managers according to ease of use and cost.

Personally, I like Norton Identity Security. It's free and relatively easy to use and appears to be the most protective.  It's free even for mobile devices. Two downfalls is that it requires an extra layer of protection (which makes it more safe). I found it to be a little clunky during the set up process and more difficult to set up on multiple devices. I also missed that it didn't have a notes features to store password questions and hints. Perhaps they will enhance that feature soon.

My personal favorite continues to be LastPass. It is free, easy to use, provides good protection, and has lots of room to store notes.  Unfortunately, there is a cost for premium and mobile use which is likely well worth the small annual fee of $12.00.

Make sure you share your password manager username and password with one person you consider to be your trustee. If something should happen to you including a health emergency or death, it's important that a close confidant can access your records to settle matters especially in regards to personal finances.  It's up to you as to how you share this information, but it is best not to send it electronically or make it the least bit obvious. Wouldn't hurt to invest in a hidden room behind a trick bookcase but that'll cost you more than LastPass premium. 

Readers, if you currently use a password manager, what do you use and what do you like about it?