App Reviews

How to Never Forget a Password Again – 2020

by
How to never forget a password

How to Never Forget a Password

How to never forget a password again in the days of data breaches. These days we are facing a data breach almost every time we turn on the news! When a data breach happens you have to change the passwords for almost all of your accounts and devices that were affected by the breach. This can be a painful and time-consuming process, not to mention keeping track of all the different passwords you have for all the different sites in accounts that you manage daily.

If you want to protect yourself online one of the things you can do is use a password manager that is compatible with your browser. With a password manager, you won’t have to memorize tens of dozens of passwords, honestly, you don’t even need to know what the passwords are. All good password managers create passwords for you and store them and then automatically fill them when you need to login to a website. Additionally, some password managers can even fill in complete passwords for you across multiple devices such as Android phones iPhones tablets, and more.

Why you’re strong password isn’t as strong as you think?

Not too long ago you could use a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters and that would be all you need to create a strong password. Of course, you couldn’t use a dictionary word or a password such as a password itself but that was usually strong enough to get you by. Unfortunately in today’s world, those types of passwords can be easily cracked in minutes not even hours. 

How to Create a Strong Password

To create a strong password today you need to have a good length for the password. For example, a password like “123SesameStreet” which is a 15 digit password is much stronger than a random 9 digit password. a 15 letter password would take over 50 years to hack according to the website “ how secure is my password?”. Shorter passwords can be hacked in only a few hours.

Should I use Cloud or Local Storage?

Choosing between cloud or local storage typically comes down to cost. The best password managers offer local storage for free. However, if you want to store your passwords in the cloud, which means your information will be stored on their servers, you will probably have to pay extra. As you read further we will go over the top password managers and their features. You should probably test two or three before you decide on a password manager.

How to use a Password Manager and Not Forget Passwords

Password managers are very small programs that you install on your browser which help you manage all your passwords and more importantly generate secure passwords. For iPhone and Android, they usually come in the form of apps. If you are installing on your browser they will be in the form of a plug-in. 

The good news is once you install an app or browser plugin you will only need to remember one password, which would be the password to log into the password manager. Moreover, when you sign up for a new account to a website or service the password manager will create a secure password for you and store it in its database. Password managers allow you to specify the password length and whether you want it to be alphanumeric or contain special characters. The passwords stored in the app manager database will be encrypted as well. Some very good password managers are free, while others require an annual fee for more advanced features.

1Password

If you don’t know, 1Password is a very popular password manager that is available for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android. 1Password stores all of your passwords locally on your device. For a small fee, they do offer cloud storage as well. Also, 1Password offers the option of using Dropbox or iCloud to store your passwords and share them across devices. For your home network, it can use Wi-Fi to synchronize your passwords locally on your home network.

Dashlane

Dashlane is a great password manager and it’s a way to never forget a password again and has become popular in the past few years. I’ve even seen Dashlane commercials on TV. Dashlane uses a two-step authentication process when you register a device. The two-Step authentication process gives you even more security, especially for your master password. Dashlane is free for one device however there is a small fee if you want to sync across multiple devices. Additionally, with the fee, you do get premium support from Dashlane.

KeePass

You may or may not have heard of KeePass which is an open-source project and free to use. That being said you may need some more technical knowledge to use all of its features. For example, to synchronize your passwords across multiple devices you would need to install a plugin. You would probably need several different plugins and scripts to do some basic things that are already included, other password managers. Moreover, KeePass allows you to use cloud storage applications like Dropbox Google Docs and Microsoft OneDrive. KeePass also allows you to create a password file and share it with many users. So if you are technically savvy, Keepass may be a good choice for you.

LastPass – this how I never forget a password!

Next up we have LastPass which is one of the most popular password managers available. It is mostly free but they do have a premium service. LastPass stores all of its information, your work passwords, in its cloud. This means with a basic installation of LastPass you get synchronization across all of your devices included, all in their basic free version. I’ve been using LastPass myself for years, and I’ve had very few problems with it. One issue I have found is that LastPass often competes with built-in password managers in Chrome and Firefox.

My recommendation is that if you use LastPass you should probably not use the built-in password managers as they compete to fill forms to complete passwords for the same site and cause bad logins and confusion. 

SplashID

A relative newcomer to the field is SplashID. Splash ID is a nice little password manager which gives you many options. With SplashID you get support for Apple, Android, Windows, and even Blackberry. SplashID offers one device free and the ability to sync or synchronize multiple devices for a small fee. One nice feature that SplashID has that others do not is the ability to decide to choose between cloud-based and local storage for your passwords. This is a great security option because certain information such as a bank account password would probably be safer on your local computer versus the cloud. 

BitWarden – the best free way to never forget a password again!

Last but not least is BitWarden which has become a very popular choice it is open source and free. Personally, my experience with Bitwarden was great! If I wasn’t a long time LastPass user I’d probably go with BitWarden. Bitwarden has limitations, however, it’s very polished and user-friendly.

The primary advantage of bitwarden is that it is open-source. When your app open-source anyone can look at the code and check it for bugs and fix them. Doing so you have a lot more people reviewing the code which makes it even safer to go with long-term. Furthermore, BitWarden was audited by third parties to ensure it is secure. You can even install BitWarden on a self-host and run your cloud.

BitWarden also has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Please note that BitWarden also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi.

With Bitwarden you have a semi-automated password filling tool. When you go to a site where BitWarden has a password and username stored you’ll see a little icon that shows you the BitWarden has login information for that site. This is especially helpful if you have multiple accounts for a website. If you want fully automated password completion BitWarden supports that as well.

In Conclusion

There are many great options when selecting a password manager for your computer or mobile device. If I were starting today I’d probably choose between Bitwarden and LastPass. I’ve concluded this because they both offer great free options with features that would be suitable for most users. If you want a premium service Dashlane would be a great place to start because it is so user-friendly. I hope this article helps you choose a password manager. These password managers offer a nice beginning to a more secure easier to use internet experience.

Free Internet Phone Calls Apps – The 15 Best of 2020

by
Free Internet Calls

Yes, Apps are “where it’s at” when you need to make free internet phone calls, sometimes even to any country in the world. There are four different phone call applications available on the internet: PC to phone, an app to phone, PC to PC, and app to app. Below, you will find the list of 15 best internet phone call apps that are highly recommended by internet users.

Google Voice – Free Internet Phone Calls

 Google Voice is among the most popular and best apps to make free phone calls. You can make calls to an actual phone number, from PC to phone, and from PC to PC. Google Voice also allows us to send SMS, get free voice mail services, and make conference calls. You can use the app from the web, as well as from Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.

Limitations

All numbers must be either American or Canadian and limited calling time (no longer than 3 hours). 

WhatsApp for Free Calls

 Whatsapp owned by Facebook is a popular texting app with several million users already. You can also make free phone calls by using an Internet connection. All you need to do to start is to confirm your phone number. In addition, the app allows you to send videos, photos, and audio messages. It can be used from the web or from Mac, Android, iPhone, or iPad devices.

Limitations:

One limitation is that phone calls can be made only to those devices that also have WhatsApp, which means you cannot call an actual phone number by using WhatsApp. 

TextNow offers free calls

TextNow app was made to exchange free internet phone calls with other users. The interface is very nice and easy to use. It keeps the records of your calling history and allows you to send messages while you are actively in a call. You can also send pictures, videos, and even your location. In order to set up the app, the only thing you need is your email, and an actual phone number is not required.

Limitations:

There is also an option to make phone calls to non-users, but you will have to buy credits to be able to do that.

Google Duo another free calling app from Google

Google Duo is another calling up created by Google. You can use it for either regular phone calls or for video conferencing. It can be used from the web or as an Android, iPad, or iPhone app.

Limitations:

You can only make calls to other Google Duo users, so phone calls to actual phone numbers and non-users are not available. Another disadvantage is that it does not support sending texts. 

TextFree also offers Free Calling

TextFree is an app that provides you with a real free internet phone calls with a unique number to make phone calls. You can also send text messages and customize the voicemail greeting. There are also options to earn more free minutes by watching advertisements and completing free offers. If you do not use your Textfree phone number for 30 days, the number is returned to the “pool” of numbers available for other users. If your number expires or deactivated, you can always get a new one. Android, iPad, and iPhone apps are available. 

Limitations:

New Textfree users receive a limited amount of minutes for free calling to non-users and landlines.

Viber is one of the original free calling apps

 Viber allows you to make free phone calls from PC to PC or app to app. It also supports other devices. In addition, there are options to send pictures, text messages, video, and audio messages. You can buy a local phone number in a certain country and use it for receiving texts and phone calls. Viber runs on Mac, Microsoft, and Linux computers, as well as iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. 

Facebook Messenger – Text and make free calls

Facebook Messenger is a free messaging service developed and owned by Facebook. It allows us to make free phone calls from app to app, PC to PC, and app to PC. You can also exchange pictures, videos, and text messages with other users for free.

Limitations:

In order to make free phone calls by using the app, users have to be friends on Facebook. Another limitation is that Facebook Messenger does not support calling real phone numbers and landlines. 

Snapchat – not just for pics, but calls for free too!

 Snapchat is well known as a popular app for sending pictures. However, there is also free audio and video calls service available for Spanchat users. All you need to do to complete a free internet phone call is to have an Internet connection.

Limitations

Unfortunately, you cannot make phone calls to non-users and landlines, which is the only disadvantage of this app. Snapchat works well with the iPad, iPhone, and Android. 

Telegram – a popular choice for calling for free

 Telegram is one of the most popular internet phone call apps for sending messages and making phone calls. It is very easy to use, and it is available anywhere you log in, as long as you have an Internet connection. In order to contact another contact, you need to add him to your Telegram contact list and call by clicking on the phone icon in the Telegram app. Telegram runs well on most devices, including Android, iPad, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows, and some others. 

Limitations:

However, it is important to know that free phone calls are only available to users.

FreedomPop – real numbers and free calls

 FreedomPop was created as an app to app service. The best thing about it is that you can call actual phone numbers, including mobile phones and landlines, anywhere in the United States, even if the app is not installed on your device. When signing up, you have an option to pick a phone number from any area code you want. However, in order to make phone calls around the globe, both callers and recipients have to use the app. FreedomPop also supports a custom voicemail greeting and allows you to send text messages as well.

LimitationsL

However, there are some limitations too: you have 500 messages and 200 minutes a month. In order to see how many you have remaining, you should check the settings in the app. 

Tango – just free cals

 Tango is a free service allowing users to make phone calls via app to app. Those who use Android service have an option to call other Tango users for free. You can also send videos and regular text messages.

Limitations:

However, it is important to point out that Tango runs only on Android. 

Skype – the OG free calling service

 By using Skype, you can make phone calls between several mobile and desktop platforms. There are different communication options available, including app to app, PC to app, PC to PC, and app to PC. You can also send text messages and video to any Skype users for no charge. It is possible to use Skype on your iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and in your browser. 

Libon – new free calling app

 Libon is more than just a free app for phone calls, It also gives you options to exchange videos, pictures, and text messages.

Limitations

However, communication only between Libon users is possible, which means you cannot call non-Libon users. If you need to call someone who does not have the app, you have to buy credits. 

LINE – Social network meets free calls

Line is a social network platform with an easy-to-use calling function. When you sign up, you receive 5 minutes of free calling time, even if the other person does not have the app. LINE also provides its users with a private container for your files, messages, and photos, as well as a useful function to find other users nearby. 

Globfone – good free calls from PC to Phone

Globfone is an app for free phone calls through creating a PC to phone connection. The best thing about Globfone is that there is no need to download the app because you can use it right inside the browser. It also allows you to send messages and support free video chat.