The Convenient Default
When Chrome asks "Save this password?" most people click Yes without thinking. It's convenient — your passwords sync across devices, auto-fill on websites, and you never need to remember them. So why use a separate password manager?
How Browser Password Storage Works
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all store passwords locally and sync them to your cloud account (Google, Mozilla, Apple, Microsoft). Here's the problem:
- Encryption depends on your OS account: Anyone with access to your computer can view saved passwords
- No zero-knowledge: Google/Apple/Microsoft can technically access your passwords
- Limited features: No 2FA, no file storage, no sharing, no security audit
- Browser-locked: Chrome passwords don't work in Firefox (and vice versa)
How Password Managers Work
Dedicated password managers like SecureVault use a fundamentally different approach:
- Master password encryption: Your data is encrypted with YOUR key, not the platform's
- Zero-knowledge: The server never sees your plaintext data
- Cross-platform: Works in any browser, any device
- Additional features: 2FA, secure notes, file storage, sharing, health monitoring
The Security Comparison
Encryption
- Chrome: Uses OS-level encryption (DPAPI on Windows, Keychain on Mac). If someone has your OS login, they have your passwords.
- SecureVault: AES-256 with PBKDF2 key derivation. Even with physical server access, data is unreadable without your master password.
Breach Impact
- Chrome: If your Google account is compromised, ALL saved passwords are exposed.
- SecureVault: If the server is breached, attackers get only encrypted blobs — useless without master passwords.
Features
- Chrome: Save & auto-fill. That's it.
- SecureVault: Password generation, 2FA TOTP, file storage, sharing, security dashboard, browser extension, admin panel, backup/restore.
When Browser Autofill is "Fine"
For casual, low-security accounts (forum logins, news sites), browser autofill is acceptable. But for anything important — banking, email, social media, work — a dedicated password manager is essential.
The Verdict
Password managers win on every security metric. Browser autofill is a convenience feature, not a security solution. SecureVault gives you both — convenience (with the browser extension) AND security (with AES-256 encryption).
Make the switch. Get SecureVault free →