Password Managers

[Music starts]

[A shield appears with a banner across it that reads "My password". Colorful snowflakes, potato chips, and fingerprints rise up around the shield in waves]

Narrator: Passwords are your first line of defence for your accounts and should be as unique as snowflakes, potato chips, or even fingerprints.

Narrator: Using the same password for multiple accounts is like giving cyber criminals access to everything you own online, from email addresses, social media accounts to online banking information.

Narrator: This is why you should create unique passwords – or even better, passphrases, for every account you have and use a password manager to keep track of them.

[Text on screen: Platypus123!]

[Text on screen: PlatypusCoffeeLaundryGlossy]

[A key with a password written on the tag unlocks a door. Inside, a list of accounts pops up, all using the same password as the tag. A purple devil emoji face appears beside the list of accounts as padlock icons are opened]

[A woman shakes her head and presses her hands to her temples as a cluttered array of unique passwords appear. As the passwords sort themselves into orderly rows, her face brightens, and she pumps her fists in the air]

[Rows of passwords that are grouped together in organized columns stack on top of each other. A password manager appears with a form field that reads "Enter a new password." A passphrase which reads "EggrollLightswitchSciencePerfumeHockeypuck" is entered]

Narrator: A password manager stores, organizes and manages your passwords so you don’t have to remember them. It can also help make long and complex passwords for you.

[Text on screen: How to choose the right password manager]

[Several people stare off thoughtfully as thought bubbles appear beside them with different colored asterisks inside]

Narrator: There are a lot of options available. So how do you know which password manager is right for you?

[Text on screen: Budget]

[Text on screen: Free service]

[Text on screen: Paid service]

Narrator: First, consider your budget. Some password managers offer a free service and a paid service.

[A password manager titled "free service" details different account names, such as email, banking, and picture sharing apps, alongside the account's username, and unique password hidden behind asterisks. A pop-up window reads "For more space, upgrade to paid version" with options to click "Ok" or "Cancel"]

Narrator: Free password managers allow you to securely store and manage your passwords but might limit the number of passwords you can store.

[A mouse cursor clicks "Cancel" and the password manager zooms out. A thumbs up emoji animates beside it]

Narrator: While free versions may include fewer features, many of them still provide the essentials you need to secure your accounts.

[Text on screen: Paid service]

[A clipboard with a checklist shows items getting checked off with corresponding images appearing on screen. Item one, "multi-factor authentication (MFA)", shows a fingerprint and a facial recognition scan. Item two, "virtual private network (VPN)", shows a shield with the letters VPN beside a key and a wireless signal. Item three, "secure sharing", shows different devices with closed padlocks and hidden passwords. Item four, "password and passphrase generators", shows a pop-up window with a blank field for a password meeting different specifications including various required letters, numbers, or special characters]

Narrator: Paid password managers have advanced features like multi-factor authentication, a virtual private network, secure sharing and even password and passphrase generators.

[Text on screen: Paid service]

[A person looks at their phone. Password fields with asterisks in them connect to different devices including a phone, a laptop, a desktop computer, and a tablet]

Narrator: Some can even sync across multiple devices and platforms, so you can conveniently access your passwords when you need them.

[Text on screen: Paid service]

[A person extends their arms to the side gesturing towards animated lock emojis. A file folder with a lock appears on top of them]

Narrator: Paid versions may also include stronger security measures, like advanced encryption algorithms, to help better protect your sensitive information.

[Text on screen: Use a stand-alone password manager]

[A variety of devices on a table show unique passwords connected by lines]

Narrator: Stand-alone password managers are more secure and convenient than browser-based ones.

[Text on screen: Avoid using your browser’s password manager]

[A pop up appears with text that reads "Add password to your browser?" with the options "Yes" and "No" – a mouse cursor clicks "No"]

Narrator: Password managers built into your browser are vulnerable to attacks since your passwords are stored locally on your device.

[A figure in a black hoodie with a red devil emoji face sits at a laptop as a credit card dangles from a fishhook beside them]

Narrator: If someone else gains access to your device, this could be a major security issue.

[A person brings their index finger to their mouth in a shushing motion, then draws their fingers across their lips as if sealing them shut. A long password labeled "primary password" appears, hidden by asterisks]

Narrator: The one password that you do have to remember is the primary password, which gives you access to your password manager.

[Text on screen: Do Not forget your primary password!]

A person points their index fingers at their temples while nodding]

Narrator: It is the central access point to all your sensitive and important account credentials.

[A person stares at their phone in shock and looks upset. A pop-up appears that reads "Wrong password" with the options "OK" and "Cancel"]

Narrator: Forgetting your primary password can mean losing access to all your account credentials if you get locked out.

[An example of a secure primary password scrolls by, "Sunfl0werEleph@ntConfettiSa!ad", which includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters]

Narrator: Because of this, your primary password has to be extra secure. It should be the most complex password or passphrase you use while still being memorable.

[The words Strong Unique Complex appear with asterisks in password fields beneath them. A person taps their hand to their temple and glasses wearing emojis pop up around them]

Narrator: Commit your strong, unique and complex primary password to memory.

[A person holds a notebook while tapping a pen to their chin and then writes something down in it]

Narrator: Since this such an important password to remember, a securely stored written note might be beneficial to do as long as it is accessible only to you in an emergency.

[A person pumps their fist excitedly in the air as they look at their phone. A key with asterisks on it appears beside them]

Narrator: Taking steps to build strong cyber security habits is always worth it and can make your life much easier too!

[A password manager titled "My accounts" appears with secure, unique passwords saved beneath them]

Narrator: Password managers simplify your life and are just one more step to take to help build stronger and more secure habits online.

[Text on screen: GetCyberSafe.ca/Passwords]

Narrator: You can learn more about passwords and password managers at GetCyberSafe.ca/Passwords.

[The Communications Security Establishment logo appears on the screen]

[The Government of Canada wordmark appears on the screen]