Choosing Between LastPass and Google Password Manager

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Risk of Saving Passwords in Google Chrome
   1. Security risk
   2. Convenience risk
3. The Purpose of Password Management Tools
4. The Problem with Saving Passwords in Google Chrome
   1. Confusion with multiple password management systems
   2. Loss of control over shared passwords
5. The Solution: Disabling Google Chrome's Password Manager
   1. Using Google policies to restrict password manager usage
   2. Enforcing Chrome sign-in for policy application
6. How to Disable Google Chrome's Password Manager
   1. Accessing the admin panel
   2. Setting user policies for Chrome browser
7. Conclusion

The Risk of Saving Passwords in Google Chrome

When it comes to password management, organizations often opt for dedicated tools like LastPass or Dashlane to securely store their team's passwords. However, a common issue arises when team members continue saving passwords within Google Chrome's password manager. While this may not pose a direct security risk, it introduces a convenience risk that can potentially compromise password consistency and overall productivity.

The Purpose of Password Management Tools

Tools like LastPass or Dashlane are designed to provide a centralized and secure password storage solution for teams. They allow team members to store and access passwords without the need to remember them or resort to less secure methods like writing them down. By utilizing such tools, organizations can ensure strong password practices, minimize the risk of data breaches, and streamline password management processes.

The Problem with Saving Passwords in Google Chrome

The issue arises when team members save passwords directly into Google Chrome's password manager instead of relying on dedicated tools. This can cause confusion within the team, as passwords meant to be shared through the password management tool are now stored separately in Google Chrome. Additionally, when a team member leaves the organization, any passwords saved in Google Chrome may not be accessible to the remaining team members, resulting in potential data loss or accessibility issues.

Moreover, using Google Chrome's password manager alongside a dedicated password management tool brings forth the challenge of maintaining two separate systems for storing passwords. This not only adds complexity to the overall password management process but also increases the chances of errors and inefficiencies among team members.

The Solution: Disabling Google Chrome's Password Manager

To address this issue, organizations can utilize Google policies to restrict the use of Google Chrome's password manager. By creating and applying policies through the admin panel, organizations can ensure that team members are prevented from saving passwords within Google Chrome, thereby encouraging the consistent use of the dedicated password management tool.

To effectively implement this solution, it is crucial to ensure that team members are signed into Google Chrome on their devices. This can be enforced during the onboarding process, ensuring that company policies are properly applied across all devices. Although there is currently no feature to force Chrome sign-in before accessing Gmail accounts, such functionality would be beneficial in achieving seamless policy enforcement.

How to Disable Google Chrome's Password Manager

To disable Google Chrome's password manager, follow these steps:

1. Access the admin panel by visiting admin.google.com.
2. Navigate to the device policy settings.
3. Select the desired organizational unit or apply settings to the entire organization.
4. Search for password-related policies.
5. Disable the use of the password manager for all users.

By implementing these steps, organizations can effectively disable the password manager within Google Chrome and ensure that team members rely on the dedicated password management tool for all password storage needs.

In conclusion, while Google Chrome's password manager may offer convenience, it can create complications and inconsistencies when used alongside dedicated password management tools. By disabling the password manager and promoting the use of dedicated tools like LastPass or Dashlane, organizations can enhance password security, minimize confusion, and improve overall productivity.