Is the Bitwarden password supervisor protected to make use of?
Has somebody advisable Bitwarden to you or have you ever seen it in your searches for the best password manager? If so, you’re possible questioning how protected it’s to make use of, particularly contemplating it’s broadly accessible without cost.
We’ll stroll you thru the protection, compliance, and safety features that Bitwarden makes use of together with a priority it is best to take into account. It’s then as much as you to determine if Bitwarden is a protected and safe possibility for you.
What is Bitwarden?
Bitwarden is an inexpensive password manager accessible on your desktop, cell gadgets, and as internet browser extensions. It supplies options similar to limitless passwords and gadgets, autofill, passkey administration, a password generator, machine syncing, vault storage, and one-to-one knowledge sharing.
Businesses also can obtain single sign-on (SSO) and API integration, person account administration, well being experiences, account restoration, and password sharing.
Now, the large query is, is Bitwarden protected to make use of? Let’s check out the safety features.
Bitwarden safety features
Known for its open-source mannequin with a codebase on GitHub, Bitwarden hasn’t been concerned in safety breaches like comparable instruments. This is due to its dedication to safety and the next security measures:
Zero-knowledge encryption: Bitwarden makes use of AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption in its zero-knowledge primarily based system. Not solely does the corporate make use of the industry-standard for encryption, nevertheless it can’t see your passwords.
Master password hash: Bitwarden salts and hashes your grasp password earlier than it’s transmitted to the servers and makes use of PBKDF2 SHA-256 or Argon2 for the important thing that encrypts your Vault knowledge. The variety of client-side iterations was elevated to 600,001 in 2023, and with the server iterations set to 100,000, that makes a complete of 700,001 iterations by default. Plus, these are one-way hashes, so that they can’t be reversed to reveal your grasp password.
Vault safety: Bitwarden not solely supplies end-to-end encryption on your vault but additionally a two-step login, Vault Timeout function, unlock with a PIN code or biometrics, and a clipboard clear that you may set from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.
Third-party safety audits: Bitwarden conducts annual audits with safety companies similar to Cure53 and Insight Risk Consulting together with supply code assessments and penetration testing for its servers and purposes. You can assessment each the safety audit and SOC 3 reports on the Bitwarden website, and request SOC 2 experiences should you’re .
Bug Bounty Program: Bitwarden works with HackerOne and a program the place hackers seek for and report weaknesses and vulnerabilities in its system.
Compliance: Bitwarden is compliant with GDPR, Privacy Shield Frameworks, HIPAA, and CCPA, and is a member of the FIDO Alliance.
Bitwarden safety concern
While Bitwarden is taken into account to be a protected password supervisor general, there’s one side of safety that turned a priority in 2023, which concerned its internet browser extension.
The doable threat exists inside the web page load function for autofill. It was decided that iframes (inline frames) might acquire entry to your login credentials as a result of the instrument fills in these credentials each on the internet web page and inside the iframe. This might open the door to hackers stealing passwords.
It’s vital to notice that you just’ll discover the autofill-on-page-load function disabled by default and does warn customers concerning the potential dangers when enabling it.
For full particulars on this particular concern, take a look at our article on the Bitwarden autofill risk.
Bitwarden plans
Bitwarden is a free password supervisor with paid choices for each people and companies.
For personal use, you possibly can improve from the free plan for $10 yearly for options like file attachments, emergency entry, and an built-in authenticator.
For businesses, you possibly can select the Teams plan at $4 month-to-month per person for safe knowledge sharing, occasion log monitoring, and listing integration. The Enterprise plan is $4 month-to-month per person and contains the Teams plan options plus passwordless SSO, account restoration, and enterprise insurance policies.
Should you utilize Bitwarden?
Because Bitwarden is a password supervisor with an in depth function set without cost, it’s attractive for these available in the market for such a instrument. With its cross-platform availability, limitless passwords and gadgets, biometric login, and guarded vault, you possibly can simply entry your logins and handle your safe knowledge from anyplace.
Bitwarden does meet and even surpass the {industry} requirements with its security and compliance options. And, contemplating the safety measures Bitwarden makes use of, you could possibly look previous the potential threat with the browser extension — or simply don’t use that function or the extension in any respect.
Listed as one the best LastPass alternatives in addition to one of many best password managers general, it is best to take into account Bitwarden should you’re in quest of a safe, reliable instrument.
From a private perspective, I’ve been a Bitwarden person for a few years, discover it to be an excellent password supervisor, and really feel utterly protected utilizing it.
