1Password is a cloud-based, cross-platform password management solution, allowing you to organize and store all your personal and professional passwords in one secure place.

Password re-use (using the same password across multiple accounts) is a major contributor to data breaches. Stolen credentials can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to other accounts. By using password managers, you can easily create and manage unique, complex passwords for your dozen (or maybe hundreds) or so accounts. These tools enhance security and safeguard your accounts, even if one set of credentials is compromised.

A vault is an encrypted container to store secrets within 1Password. These secrets could be passwords, passphrases or passkeys, but could also be notes, credit card information, licenses, API (application programming interface) credentials, SSH (secure shell) keys, etc. 1Password has numerous built in templates to help you store information securely.

1Password is not mandatory, but it is a highly recommended offering that Information Security is providing to U of T’s student population.

Nothing is 100 per cent secure, but the opportunities to improve your information security practices and posture far outweighs the risks. Most data breaches are due to weak and/or re-used passwords, which is the exact issue password managers look to solve.

If you’d like to learn more about 1Password’s security design, from encryption to its zero-knowledge architecture, please refer to 1Password’s security design white paper.

To get started, set up your 1Password account (students).

U of T does not have access to any data in 1Password Families. This is your personal 1Password account and is within 1Password’s commercial tenant.

As a U of T student, you are eligible for a coupon providing six years of free access to a 1Password Families account. As a “Family Organizer”, you can invite up to four additional individuals to join your account.

The 1Password commercial tenant housing your 1Password Families account is hosted with Canadian data centres.

A compilation of vendor-provided documentation outlining how your passwords are kept secure and private by 1Password can be found at 1Password security and privacy.

When your free account promotion expires, you will retain access to your 1Password Families account. If you have provided payment details, you will notice no changes to your account. If you have not provided payment details, your account will be placed into read-only mode, where you can access and export your passwords, but not add or edit entries. You may either provide payment details and continue using 1Password Families or export your passwords for use in another platform.

This account is the ideal place to store the various passwords you use in your personal and student life, from banking and social media logins to home Wi-Fi codes.