Introduction
Password managers are among the most effective tools for maintaining online security—when they work correctly. But they're also lucrative targets for attackers, which raises a legitimate question: if a password manager is breached, are your passwords actually safe?
The answer depends on the service's architecture, the specific breach, and how it responded. We've seen major password managers suffer serious breaches in recent years, yet in most cases, users' encrypted passwords remained out of attackers' reach. In others, lapses in security practices created genuine risk.
This article examines real breaches, explains why your data might (or might not) have been protected, and shows you how to evaluate password managers with security as the primary concern. Whether you're an individual managing dozens of accounts or a business managing hundreds of employees' credentials, understanding the landscape is essential.
How Password Manager Breaches Happen
