When it comes to internet security, in my mind there is no such thing as too much. 

As a content marketing strategist, I manage any number of client accounts daily. This includes websites, website host accounts, social media platforms and schedulers, email marketing clients, and accounts I use to track metrics, such as Later, Bit.ly, etc. 

These days, most people are aware that no two passwords should be the same — and that can make password management complicated. In addition, most business owners also need to keep track of passwords for personal and household accounts. For years, I fastidiously stored all of this secure information in password-protected files on my hard drive. But a couple of years ago, I discovered the amazing benefits of online password managers. There are several out there to choose from, including browser-based managers. I’ve tried a few, but my current favorite is LastPass.

If you find yourself lamenting the time it takes to retrieve passwords or are concerned about password security, I highly recommend one of these systems. As soon as you navigate to the account sign-in screen, they will auto-fill your login and password. It’s highly convenient, and a significant time saver for me daily.

Additionally, these accounts can be set up as free or paid. I use the free version and have not yet needed to upgrade. Inputting your stored logins and passwords can initially involve a fair amount of time, depending on how complicated your business and personal password storage needs are. But I consider it well worth the time investment since it will ultimately give you back heaps of time, not to mention peace of mind.

I also recommend adding additional layers of security. For example, I use a password manager for all my passwords (LastPass), and I am very happy with it. However, I also store my passwords in Google as a backup in case, for some reason, I was not able to access LastPass (It has not happened yet). I also keep a password-protected file of all passwords in my Dropbox account (which also requires a password). 

Overkill? I think not, in today’s complex cyber-savvy world. All these layers of security give me peace of mind. But choose the amount of backup protection that feels right to you. At the end of the day, it’s largely about comfort level.