What is icloud keychain or what is apple keychain ?
One of the most convenient features of macOS, is what is keychain on iphone, icloud keychain, a service that keeps your Safari website usernames and saved passwords, credit card information, and Wi-Fi passwords up-to-date across all devices associated with the same Apple ID if icloud keychain is running either OS X 10.9 Mavericks and later, or iOS 7.0.3 and later. After icloud keychain is activated, any data stored locally on your computer or iOS device is automatically transferred onto the icloud keychain and the servers that Apple uses to store your data, after which icloud keychain is then exchanged with all authorised devices. Hence, you’ll always have an up-to-date database of passwords across all the devices that you own. iCloud Keychain is protected by 256-bit AES encryption to store and transmit passwords and credit card information.
Is apple keychain a good password manager ?
Apple Keychain or icloud keychain is apple password manager, the built-in password management system on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Not only does it allow you to save and autofill passwords for websites, apps, and wireless networks, it also lets you sync login credentials among Apple devices via icloud keychain. However, you may have also heard about alternative password managers such as 1Password and LastPass. Are they better or should you stick with Apple Keychain? Let’s find out. If you enable iCloud Keychain, safari password manager protects your passwords using industry-grade AES encryption and two-factor authentication. It also suggests strong passwords and warns you of weak and compromised login credentials by cross-checking them against known data breaches. 1Password and LastPass also offer similar security, but you can build on that with optional features such as hardware security keys (YubiKey and Titan) and one-time passwords.
How to change icloud password ?
Your iCloud password protects the privacy of the information (such as your email) stored in iCloud. Your password also protects your ability to locate or remotely erase your device using Find My iPhone. You should regularly change your iCloud password to protect your information.
Important: If you use the same Apple ID for iCloud as you do with other Apple services such as the Apple Online Store, iTunes Store, Mac App Store, or to purchase products in iPhoto or Aperture, changing your iCloud password also changes your password for these services. Make sure you sign in to those locations using your new password.
- Go to the My Apple ID website (appleid.apple.com) and follow the instructions to reset your Apple ID password.
For more information, see the Apple Support article Apple ID: Changing your password. - After changing your iCloud password, make sure you update it on all your devices and in any email apps you use to get your iCloud email.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > iCloud, then tap your iCloud account.
- On a Mac: Open iCloud preferences.
- On a Windows computer: Open the iCloud Control Panel.
- In your email apps: Check the help provided for the email apps you’re using.
If you set up iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, make sure to set up a passcode lock on your device (Settings > General > Passcode Lock) for added security.
What About Credit Cards?
When you add credit or bank card information on a website or app, iCloud Keychain will suggest saving the information for later use. When you do, you’ll receive a prompt to use that information when attempting to make a purchase elsewhere. Again, iCloud Keychain only works on the Apple Safari website and apps. iCloud Keychain will automatically add your card number and expiration date. However, you’ll need to add the iCloud Keychain 3- or 4-digit security code every time.
Use iCloud Keychain to keep information secure on Mac
iCloud Keychain keeps the website login information and credit card information you use with autofill in Safari, and keeps your Wi-Fi network information up to date across all your Mac computers (OS X 10.9 or later), iOS devices (iOS 7.0.3 or later) and iPadOS devices.
iCloud Keychain also stores account settings, so your social media accounts can be added automatically to another Mac when you sign in with your Apple ID on that Mac.
Approve a new device to use iCloud Keychain
If you use two-factor authentication and have already set up iCloud Keychain on another device, you can easily approve a new device to use your iCloud data. On the new device, when prompted, enter the iCloud Keychain login password or passcode of a device that already has iCloud Keychain set up. While iCloud Keychain did get more useful features in iOS 12, it’s still fairly limited when compared to third-party options. It did have a huge advantage with its ability to auto-fill passwords, but with iOS 12, third-party password managers can now take advantage of the AutoFill feature. Also, the ability to generate strong passwords and identify weak ones are welcome additions to iCloud Keychain, but they are either already possible on third-party managers or implemented better by them.
Third-Party Managers Can Now Use AutoFill
Apple allows third-party password managers access to the iCloud Keychain AuthenticationServices framework, which lets them integrate their apps with Password AutoFill in iOS 12. With it, apps like 1Password can show you your login credentials for an app or website via the password QuickType bar — a service that was previously limited to iCloud Keychain only — so that you can login quickly without visiting your password manager or using the share sheet option (if even there). You could easily decide to use iCloud Keychain as your password manager in iOS 11 because of the convenience of AutoFill, but it’s much harder to justify now that all third-party managers can do the same thing.
icloud keychain’s Weak Password Detection Is Weak
In iOS 12, iCloud Keychain gains the ability to detect weak passwords stored in its database. The feature notifies you of the weak password and offers the options to change it. The problem lies with icloud keychain’s weak password detection, specifically, how limited icloud keychain actually is. A password is labeled weak in iCloud Keychain only if iCloud Keychain’s reused by another account in the same database. However, other forms of weak passwords exist that Apple should not ignore. Accounts may use simple passwords from leaked website databases, contain less than eight characters, or use no uppercase letters, numbers, or special characters. All of these types of passwords are easily hacked. Compare iCloud Keychain to third-party password manager such as LastPass which can audit your entire database to determine weak passwords, not just reused ones, and iiCloud Keychain’s obvious iCloud Keychain isn’t your best option.
