I am a new user and want to switch from default Google password manager to bitwardern so that i can use my passwords seamless. But am concerned that if it is safe to use and can my passwords be compromised like LastPass wass hacked?
Hi guys, I am a recent graduate in computer engineering.
I know Bitwarden is open source, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is completely safe, because there are several factors to consider:
1-Various attacks and malware techniques could allow an attacker to steal your passwords from the Bitwarden manager
2-The Bitwarden source code could potentially include vulnerabilities or malicious code.
3-Even if the source code is clean, the app you download could be compromised.
So, how can I safely use and trust Bitwarden?
In a future unfortunate event when (or if) the Bitwarden servers suffer a malicious attack at the hands of expert hackers, with resulting breach of user data, what would be the options for the regular users?
I mean this could be serious and so I want to understand the security architecture of BW. How do they plan to avoid such mishaps and what would be their mitigation strategy (in case such event does happen), and how us, the users, would cope with it?
I know it’s not just about BW but for all other web-based services. However BW is the place where the most sensitive data are stored. So the concern.
I may be paranoid but I guess there has to be a back door to escape. What am I missing?
Thanks in advance.
EDIT: Thank you everyone for addressing my concerns. Have a great day.
Compared to like Keepass, which is offline.
Idk but I feel like the risks are higher with Bitwarden since it's online and there is a risk of my data being compromised by whoever has access to where it's stored. Whereas KeePass is essentially a cold storage and the only way to get access to my data starts at getting the .kdbx file from where I store it, locally.
What am I missing?
EDIT: Asking for when on an Android OS.
I currently use 1Password which is excellent, it does the job perfectly on my iPhone and my Windows PC. I would like to opt for Bitwarden since it is free, is it a good alternative? I use double authentication on 1Password, is it also effective on bitwarden?
I was downloading Bitwarden, but I was wondering if it was safe enough to store all my passwords in and is it safe to have my master password hint the same as my master password?
Well, just answer the question. /s
Let me explain why am I asking this question (a bit of context).
Originally, I followed the route everyone has done when talking about passwords and their management, in a word password-management, that is:
Small Notes > Structured file > Browser PM > dedicated password manager.
From 1st to 3rd step, well, the step is short and you realize that you have to change very quickly.
From 3rd to 4rth step, it usually takes way longer, much more to realize that using a browser manager is not the right chose to do.
That's were PASSWORD MANAGERS come to hand.
When I decided to go for a PM, during my preliminary research, I end up (maybe because it's famous or good-looking) with him Bitwarden.
after I found this name, I analyzed this product to see if it fit my needs...
...the rest is history.
Using Reddit, the algo suggested me a subreddit, called Password Mangers ( r/PasswordManagers).
My impulsive, spontaneous thought was:
"Why the hell is there a subreddit dedicated to discussing about password managers ? I think there is just ONE name, that is Bitwarden".
I've chosen it because:
FOSS (open source).
Free Tier. //N1
cross-platform (desktop, mobile and browsers).
2FA e E2EE.
Cloud based.
Self-hosted. //one of the few.
Free authenticator.
Clean&Slick UI. //N2
N1 Yes there is a paid version for $10/y with some EXTRA features, but you do not need them at all.
N2 Imo it's good-looking, functional, intuitive, quite compact.
So back to original question.
Can you tell me reasons to NOT use Bitwarden ?
If I had to be really nit-picky (as NES, native English speakers say), the only ones I would say are:
- it doesn't recognize A FEW fields (happened with network operator spusu and a local public transportation (when I was on holiday in Sicily)) apps.
(this was easily solved by open opening Bitwarden app in floating windows from sidebar. So no real problem and auto fill works perfect)
- it doesn't switch DOMAIN when login to your account (you can choose between .com (US server) and .eu (EU server)).
(not a big problem since I have to effectively login to my account just one, when I set up the service to work, but doing for several devices it's time-consuming.
What I suggest to developers is to open a little pop-up saying "we detected you are using Bitwarden from EU, would you like to use .eu domain from now on?")
As you can understand, small flows, but GREAT, PERFECT product.
In two words THE PASSWORD MANAGER.
And assuming it is, what's the safest way to go about doing so?
I am a long time user of both Bitwarden and KeePassXC (I love both). Bitwarden in convenient for auto-fills, but somehow I feel more secure with an offline database which KeePass offers (old school). I have ended up saving my high-stakes passwords with KeePass.
Is my apprehension unfounded?
Hey, all! Long-time LastPass user. I've been digging through various threads, but I haven't been able to find a good outline for this, so perhaps someone can point me in the right direction. From everything I've gathered, BitWarden's security is top-notch, esp if you use the recommended, but optional, Argon2 encryption. Notably, at least some things that LastPass did (like number of iterations), were not better on BW side (https://palant.info/2023/01/23/bitwarden-design-flaw-server-side-iterations/). It seems like Argon2 bypasses the whole issue altogether.
What I'd like to find out though is how BitWarden's organizational structure and security practices prevent exfiltration of data like LastPass has suffered. Does BW store unencrypted 2FA seeds like LP did, which could be exfiltrated together with their associated vaults? What are their data structure and practices like, and what's encrypted / not encrypted? I see lots of mentions how BW and 1Pass are much better on security, but I have not seen a clear point-by-point break-down of company fundamentals around security and internal workings. I've not seen these contrasted against LP either. "We've never been hacked" isn't a compelling argument, as that could be a combo of luck, or user-base size, or it might be truly due to their superior practices, but it's hard to point out exactly.
Hello! I’m a new user of Bitwarden and have a couple of questions about security.
Is it safe to log into Bitwarden from a public computer's web browser (not as a plugin, but through the official website in incognito mode)? For extra caution, I plan to log in using my mobile device instead of typing my master password. I also have 2-factor authentication enabled.
Won't there just be a time this service shuts down? What if it happens suddenly? What if something happens to the servers (well atleast I hope there's backups)
Also I get the part where all ur passwords are encrypted by your master password, but how is the master password ITSELF kept secure and encrypted?
I’m thinking of switching password managers when my Dashlane subscription expires. I’m debating whether to go with Bitwarden or 1Password.
Thanks!
I have been using bitwarden app on Windows, and I mostly store(write) password in Note. I was thinking about adding extension into browser but I have doubts.
So generally speaking, how safe can an extension be? What if browser get infected and data breached by extension? In infected browser, can someone read data from extension? Also how safe are the cookies?
How can we be really sure of Bitwarden's security since it is open source unlike LastPass?
Can someone really smart just figure out a way to reverse-engineer something in the source and get access to a lot of people's passwords?
I'm a CS student but haven't dealt with a lot of crypto stuff but I would love to learn more about this.
Newbie here, have been in the background just seeing posts here and there. Not really replying but I think I am ready to start using bitwarden BUT I’m not sure if I trust it enough to input my information for financial stuff, 401k login, bank etc.
Is anyone using this for that? I get if you don’t want to answer (I get it OPSEC)..but also when do you know if and when to trust it?
Other programs which have had breaches just makes me so hesitant
I'm new to using it and want to know if I should feel safe adding online banking password s and other information?