How to improve the security of LastPass

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Passwords, passwords, passwords - they surround us everywhere. Any modern person today uses dozens of various services, for each of which he should have his own separate rather complex password. The real salvation in such a situation are special programs - password managers, which allow you to conveniently manage all your keys. The most popular of these is LastPass.

Keeping all passwords in one place on the one hand is quite convenient, but at the same time, it exposes our security to additional threats when, when your LastPass account is hacked, an attacker can gain access to all your accounts. Let's see how you can nullify these threats.

In this article, you will find some simple tips on how to change your LastPass settings to make it more reliable and secure. To access these settings, you must log into your account on the site and click on the Settings button in the left column.

1. Automatic logout

Any security settings, even the toughest ones, will be completely powerless if your LastPass is constantly active and anyone who has access to your machine can use it without hindrance. Therefore, first of all, in the settings on the General tab, set the time interval after which you will be logged out of your account.

If you are using the LastPass browser extension, open its settings and be sure to activate Auto Logout after you close your browser and after a certain period of inactivity.

2. Limit the list of countries

In the LastPass settings window, under the General tab, find the Only allow login from selected countries option, check it and select from which countries your account can be logged in. For example, if you live in Ukraine and are not going to travel in the near future, then this particular location should be noted.

3. Disable Tor login

Tor is a special network of anonymizers that cybercriminals often use to hide the traces of their crimes. Therefore, if you do not use this network, then it is better to disable this feature altogether. To do this, mark the appropriate checkbox on the General tab.

4. Increase the password iteration

All of your data is encrypted in LastPass and the larger the iteration, the more difficult it is to decrypt. The site recommends setting this value to 500, which will significantly increase security.

5. Multicomponent Grid Authentication

Two-factor authentication is the best way to keep your LastPass vault secure. To activate it, open the Security tab and check the appropriate option. After that, click the Print Grid Table link and a special table consisting of numbers will be generated for you. Print it out and save. Now, when you enter from a new device or an unfamiliar place, you will be asked to enter a combination of numbers, consisting of the columns and columns of the table you specified.

6. Password change notifications

LastPass can notify you by email not only when the master password has changed, but also when the stored logins and passwords for different sites have changed.

7. Using a secret mailing address

For added security, you can specify a special additional mailing address instead of regular email. All messages related to the security of your account will be sent to this address, for example, a password hint, instructions for password recovery, and so on.

This address must be extra-secure, which only you know. Even if someone gains access to your regular email, they won't be able to access LastPass. You can set this additional secret address on the Security tab.

Using the simple tips above can greatly increase the reliability and security of your personal data stored in LastPass. Remember, it's better to spend ten minutes digging through the settings than mourning the stolen information later.