Understanding password saving in Google
Google Chrome has a feature password auto-save very convenient that it will remember username and password for any website you visit. This is particularly useful for those who have many online accounts and cannot remember all their passwords.
Although this seems to be an advantage, it could also represent a risk. If someone gains access to your computer, they could also gain access to your saved credentials. Despite this risk, being a security expert, I clarify that Google Chrome encrypts all your saved passwords to keep them safe from unauthorized access.
Sign in to your Google account
The first step to view your saved passwords on Google is to sign in to your Google account. This is necessary because Google syncs all your activities, including saved passwords, between all your devices using your Google account.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the profile icon in the upper right corner.
- Select “Turn on sync…” if you are not logged in. If you're already signed in, you'll see your name and email address.
- Enter your email address and password and click "Next."
Accessing your saved passwords
Now that you are in your Google account, the next step is to access your saved passwords. Here's how to do it:
- At the top right edge of the Chrome browser window, click the three vertical dots icon to open the dropdown menu.
- Select “Settings”.
- In the left side panel, click “Autofill.”
- Next, click “Passwords” to see all your saved passwords.
Viewing your saved passwords
The list that will be displayed will reveal all the websites for which you have saved passwords. To view the corresponding password:
- Under the “Saved Passwords” category, look for the name of the website.
- In the "Password" field, you will see a series of dots that represent your hidden password. To see the actual password, click the eye icon.
- It will ask you to verify your identity by entering the password for your computer. After entering it, your saved password will appear.
Additional security considerations
It is important to be aware that while this may be convenient, it can also have security risks. If you are concerned about the security of your passwords, you might consider using a third-party password manager. These offer the same convenience as Google Chrome's password autosave, but with stronger encryption and other features that can help you generate and remember strong passwords.
With these steps, you can now look at your saved passwords on Google easily and effectively. Always remember to keep your login credentials secure to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.
