Call Us!
Sales: (604) 239-4283
|
Get Support
|
info@compunet.ca
IT Support For Vancouver Law Firms IT Services For Vancouver Law Firms Vancouver Legal IT Services
  • Managed It Services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Solutions
Close
Legal IT Support in Vancouver
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Law Firms
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
  • About Us
    • How We Work
    • Why Choose Us
    • Case Studies
    • Our Blog
    • Is This You?
    • Five-Star Feedback
    • Careers
    • Referral Program
  • Where We Serve
    • Greater Vancouver
    • Burnaby
    • Langley
    • Surrey
    • North Vancouver
    • New Westminster
    • Richmond
  • Contact Us
    105-135 East 15th Street
    North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7
    (604) 986-8170 info@compunet.ca
    Get Support

The Risks Of Using Auto-Complete For Passwords

The auto-fill feature that makes it easy to enter in usernames and passwords on various websites may be putting your information at risk. While auto-fill is a convenient way to keep track of the many combinations of letters, numbers and special characters you need to access sites, the feature is also being used by advertisers and […]

Start A Conversation

Autocomplete Passwords

The auto-fill feature that makes it easy to enter in usernames and passwords on various websites may be putting your information at risk.

While auto-fill is a convenient way to keep track of the many combinations of letters, numbers and special characters you need to access sites, the feature is also being used by advertisers and hackers. That’s why many security experts are suggesting turning off the auto-complete feature in your web browser.

Password manager programs embedded in browsers are a simple way to get access to a password-protected website. The password manager auto-fills your details, giving you one-click access to account information meant to be kept private.

How Hackers Get Access

If hackers get access to a compromised website, they can put an invisible form on the site and easily collect users’ login information. If your browser automatically enters this information when it sees the appropriate boxes on a web form, it adds the info everywhere those boxes are found on a page, whether they’re seen by the user or not.

Because most web users use the same username and password for multiple sites, the theft of this information on just one website can expose your information on many others.

Not Just Hackers

It may come as a surprise to learn that hackers are not the only ones trying to use your login information. Some ad networks are using tracking scripts to grab email addresses stored in your password manager for auto-filling. That tech can be used to grab passwords too, whether stored on a browser or an independent password management site.

The ad networks are using the same technique as hackers — an invisible form that captures your credentials provided by the password manager. Here’s a helpful demo page that shows you how it works.

Ad networks are using this information not to hack your data, but to understand what sites you navigate to better target ads to you. And while they claim to only be grabbing email addresses, the potential for further abuse is there.

What Computer Users Can Do

Password managers by themselves are still useful tools, especially given the number of codewords we need to go about daily web browsing. It’s the auto-fill mechanism that needs to be disabled. That’s simple to do.

On Chrome

  • Go to Settings
  • Search for Passwords and click on the Passwords arrow
  • Toggle the Auto Sign-In tab to the left (it should be grayed out not blue)
  • For more protection, you can stop Chrome from saving any passwords by toggling the Offer to save passwords to the left

On Firefox

  • Open Options
  • Click on Privacy & Security in the left-hand navigation
  • Click on History
  • Select Firefox will: Use custom settings for history
  • A new submenu will appear
  • Unclick on Remember search and form history
  • To fully disable saving any passwords, go to the Logins & Passwords section (just above History) and unclick Ask to save logins and passwords for websites

On Safari (Desktop)

  • Open the Preferences window
  • Click on the Auto-fill tab
  • Turn off all features related to usernames and passwords

On Safari (iOS)

  • Go to Settings
  • Scroll down to Passwords & Accounts and click on it
  • Toggle the AutoFill Passwords tab to the left

Disabling the auto-fill features means spending a little more time finding and entering usernames and passwords manually. However, these steps protect you from prying eyes looking to gain more information about you and your accounts.

Schedule Your No Obligation Initial Consultation Now

Complete this short form and schedule your no obligation 10-minute introductory phone call with Compunet Information. A member of our team will reach out immediately.

Latest Blog Posts

Why Business Leaders are Embracing Co-Managed IT
Why Business Leaders are Embracing Co-Managed IT
Read More
The Looming Threat Of Ransomware In 2024
The Looming Threat Of Ransomware In 2024
Read More
How To Turn Off Outlook Read Receipts For Enhanced Security
How To Turn Off Outlook Read Receipts For Enhanced Security
Read More
Read The Compunet Blog
  • Architecture
    • IT Management
    • Cloud Solutions
    • Software Support
    • Cybersecurity Solutions
  • Legal
    • Technology Management
    • Digital Transformation
    • Software Support
    • Cloud Services
    • IT Security
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Ransomware Prevention
  • Accounting
    • Managed IT Services
    • Cloud Services
    • Ransomware Removal
    • Ransomware Protection
  • Engineering
    • Managed IT
    • Cloud
    • IT Security
    • Ransomware Removal
  • Cybersecurity Services
    • Microsoft MFA
    • Microsoft 365 Secure
    • Microsoft Office Protect
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Protection
    • Dark Web Protection
Compunet infonech

Compunet InfoTech offers Managed IT Support & Hosted IT Services For Vancouver & Surrounding Areas. Serving Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam and New Westminster.

105-135 East 15th Street
North Vancouver, BC V7L 2P7

(604) 986-8170
info@compunet.ca

  • About Us
  • Why Choose Us?
  • Media Center
  • Vancouver IT Consulting News
  • Testimonials
  • Greater Vancouver
  • Burnaby
  • North Vancouver
  • Langley
  • Surrey
  • New Westminster

© 2023 Compunet InfoTech. All Rights Reserved.

Sitemap
|
Privacy Policy
|
Website Accessibility
Attention North Vancouver Businesses: Are You Worried About Your IT Services Provider?

Get A Free Second Opinion Today from Compunet.

Our comprehensive assessment includes:

  • A thorough analysis of your current IT company’s performance
  • A customized action plan to tackle all operational issues
  • A detailed budget and project plan for seamless execution

Don’t let IT issues hold back your business. Gain the clarity you need to get your IT on the right track. With our no-obligation, risk-free assessment, you have nothing to lose. Contact Compunet now.

Interested?
Schedule Your Initial Consultation with Compunet Today.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation With The Compunet Team.

Fill in your information below to get started today.