Key takeaways:
- Deleting saved passwords in Chrome helps protect your online accounts
- You can delete individual passwords or clear all saved passwords at once
- Disabling Chrome’s password saving feature prevents it from storing passwords in the future
- Using a dedicated password manager provides better security and convenience than browser-based password storage
Google Chrome’s built-in password manager can save you time by automatically filling in your login credentials on websites you frequently visit. However, storing passwords in your browser also poses security risks, especially if you share your computer with others or if your device is lost or stolen. To safeguard your online accounts, it’s a good idea to periodically delete saved passwords from Chrome. Here’s how to do it.
Table of Contents
Deleting Individual Passwords
If you only want to remove specific saved passwords from Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome browser and click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on “Autofill” in the left sidebar, then choose “Passwords.”
- Locate the website whose password you want to delete and click on the three-dot icon next to it.
- Select “Remove” to delete the saved password.
Repeat this process for any other passwords you wish to remove.
Clearing All Saved Passwords
To delete all saved passwords from Chrome in one go, use these steps:
- Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon.
- Go to “More tools” and select “Clear browsing data.”
- In the popup window, click on the “Advanced” tab.
- Choose “All time” from the time range dropdown.
- Check the box next to “Passwords and other sign-in data.”
- Uncheck all other boxes to avoid deleting your browsing history, cookies, and other data.
- Click on “Clear data” to delete all saved passwords.
Keep in mind that this action is irreversible, so make sure you have alternative means of accessing your accounts before clearing all passwords.
Disabling Password Saving
If you prefer not to have Chrome save your passwords at all, you can turn off the password saving feature:
- Open Chrome’s settings and navigate to the “Passwords” section as described earlier.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Offer to save passwords.”
From now on, Chrome will no longer prompt you to save passwords when you log into websites.
Using a Dedicated Password Manager
While Chrome’s password manager is convenient, it’s not the most secure option for storing your login credentials. Security experts recommend using a dedicated password manager app that offers the following benefits:
- Stronger encryption: Password managers use advanced encryption algorithms to protect your data, whereas browser-based password storage may be more vulnerable to hacking attempts.
- Cross-platform syncing: With a password manager, you can access your passwords on any device, not just within a specific browser.
- Password generation: Most password managers can create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, reducing the risk of password reuse and making it easier to maintain good password hygiene.
- Additional features: Many password managers offer extras like secure notes, password sharing, and two-factor authentication for added security.
Some popular password manager options include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password. These apps can integrate with Chrome and other browsers to automatically fill in your login details, providing a similar level of convenience to Chrome’s built-in password manager.
Conclusion
Regularly deleting saved passwords from Chrome is an important step in protecting your online accounts from unauthorized access. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily remove individual passwords or clear all saved passwords at once. For even better security, consider disabling Chrome’s password saving feature altogether and switching to a dedicated password manager app. With a little extra effort, you can significantly reduce the risk of your passwords falling into the wrong hands.
FAQ
Is it safe to save passwords in Chrome?
While saving passwords in Chrome is convenient, it’s not the most secure option. If someone gains access to your computer or Google account, they could potentially view and use your saved passwords. For better security, consider using a dedicated password manager app with strong encryption.
Can I recover passwords after deleting them from Chrome?
No, once you delete saved passwords from Chrome, they are permanently removed and cannot be recovered. Make sure you have alternative means of accessing your accounts before deleting passwords.
Will deleting passwords from Chrome also delete them from my Google account?
Yes, if you’re signed into Chrome with your Google account and have sync enabled, deleting passwords from the browser will also remove them from your Google account across all synced devices.
Can I selectively delete passwords from Chrome without clearing other browsing data?
Yes, you can delete individual passwords from Chrome’s password manager without affecting your browsing history, cookies, or other data. Simply navigate to the “Passwords” section in Chrome’s settings and remove the specific passwords you no longer need.