Password managers are a convenient solution to organize and secure your login details, bank info, and debit or credit card details. But are password managers hack proof? What do you do when your password manager gets hacked?

It sounds like a scary situation, but you must keep a few things in mind to ensure that your online accounts are safe.

Can Password Managers Get Hacked?

Yes and no.

There are plenty of reasons to think that password managers are not as secure as you might've heard. But, when we mention a password manager getting compromised, it is not precisely as concerning a situation as it may sound, at least for the most part.

The reason is, password managers are designed in such a way that they encrypt all your data. It would be rare (perhaps impossible) to find a password manager service that does not encrypt your data. If you find yourself using something like that, you need to change the service and modify your passwords.

Every password manager relies on a master password. This is used to decrypt your data in the password manager. It is usually client-side encrypted for services like Bitwarden, 1Password, and LastPass. So, the encryption key for it remains on your device, safe from any attacks on the password manager service.

Anyone who gets hold of your data in encrypted form cannot make sense of it. However, the following details may be a part of the leak if your password manager gets hacked:

  • Your name.
  • Your billing address.
  • Email address.
  • Some form of usage or other profile information.

These details cannot let an attacker access your passwords or the account associated with the password manager. But they can target you with phishing scams. You must be careful with online interactions and ensure you only visit official websites or services without giving away your sensitive personal information.

In other words, you should remain overly cautious if you know that some of your information is part of a hack or data breach.

What to Do if Your Password Manager Is Hacked

So what can you do after your password manager gets hacked? Here are some easy steps to follow.

1. Change Passwords for Your Important Accounts

Image of tablet screen with username and password fields filled in

Fortunately, with a password manager, you can quickly change passwords. No need to think hard and craft new, complex passwords.

You can use the password generator feature or use online password generators. Some password manager services provide a one-click feature to change passwords automatically, as you do on Google Chrome.

For the most part, you can quickly generate a new password, change it, and replace it with your current entry. You can have peace of mind when you do this for the online accounts that are most valuable to you.

2. Move to a Different Password Manager

It comes down to your personal preference. But it would be fair to consider switching password managers in such a position.

Explore other password manager options to try them out. Some could be better and more secure. You might ultimately decide not to move, and that's fine too, but you nonetheless need to scope out the market.

3. Enable Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication

We shouldn't need to mention this. However, users still forget to enable two-factor authentication for some accounts.

Many passwords also support multi-factor authentication methods like biometric authentication, passwordless login, and more. It would be best if you took advantage of all the available options to beef up security for your online account.

If you think you've previously missed out on doing this, start exploring the available authentication options in your password manager.

4. Stay Cautious at All Times

You can handle most online threats by remaining cautious whenever you use a service, download a file, open an email, and interact with web elements. Whether your password manager gets hacked or not, you should think twice about your online actions.

In addition, whenever a service gets compromised, they send instructions to customers or users to secure accounts. Following the recommended steps should be a priority whenever you receive such a communication.

Can You Trust a Hacked Password Manager?

Nothing is impossible to hack, so password managers are a target for cybercriminals. That doesn't mean you should lose trust in yours entirely. Still, you need to remain vigilant. Think about how you found out about the hack. Did the service you use notify you first? Or did you find out via online rumors? Your answer should you tell you whether you can trust them.