Apple Password Manager: Security Analysis & Comparison with Industry Leaders

Get ready to question whether Apple's free password manager is enough to secure your sensitive data, or if it falls short compared to industry leaders like 1Password and NordPass.

1. Apple has introduced a new password manager that allows users to store sensitive data such as passwords, passkeys, and verification codes.
2. The app can be accessed on iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and VisionOS 2, and requires devices to be updated to the latest software version.
3. Passwords are automatically generated using cryptographically strong random strings of characters and symbols for use in Safari browser and other applications.
4. New passwords created are instantly saved in the Apple iCloud Keychain and synced with all other devices.
5. Data is encrypted using AES-256 on the user's device before being transferred through Apple's secure servers for syncing.
6. Apple Passwords utilizes the same zero-knowledge architecture and encryption algorithm as 1Password.
7. However, when compared to other industry leaders like NordPass, Apple Passwords lacks independent audits to verify security and uses a weaker encryption algorithm (AES-256 vs XChaCha20).
8. A few years ago, a macOS Mojave exploit was discovered that made it possible to access passwords stored in Keychain.
9. Apple Passwords allows for manual addition of passwords and includes an option to add a short note.
10. Importing passwords from other sources can only be done via a macOS device, and even then, it's complicated as it requires saving it as a CSV file first.
11. The app organizes passwords into categories such as Wi-Fi passwords, passkeys, and any codes that aren't related to a website or service.
12. Apple Passwords includes a helpful security section that notifies users of weak, reused, or compromised passwords, allowing them to change these before potential problems occur.
13. There is also an option to hide alerts and access deleted passwords if needed.
14. The Shared Groups feature allows users to create a group with other Apple users and share specific passwords securely.
15. While the app is better than storing sensitive information in the Notes app, it lacks robust protective features available in other password managers such as dark web monitoring, email address sca
16. The Apple Passwords app review concludes that this option is a more simple and basic solution, which may not be sufficient for users seeking advanced security and functionality features in 2025.
17. Other password managers offer additional protective features such as dark web monitoring, email address scanning, and OCR scanning.
18. Apple Passwords lacks independent audits to verify its security measures, which is a crucial step for building trust between the company and users.
19. The app has had issues in the past with a macOS Mojave exploit that made it possible to access passwords stored in Keychain.
20. Users seeking more robust password managers should consider alternatives available on the market, especially if they are not using Apple's operating system.
21. Apple Passwords is a free solution for storing sensitive data, but users may need to consider paid options for more advanced security and functionality features.
22. The app requires devices to be updated to the latest software version to work properly, which can be an inconvenience for some users.
23. While Apple Passwords offers encryption using AES-256, other industry leaders like NordPass offer stronger encryption algorithms such as XChaCha20.
24. The reputation of Apple password manager could improve by conducting independent audits and addressing past security issues to build trust with users.

Source: Cybernews via YouTube

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