Many users click “Save Password” in Chrome, Edge, or Safari because it feels convenient. With so many accounts to manage, letting the browser remember them often seems harmless. In reality, this convenience creates serious risk. Passwords saved in your local browser are among the first targets for attackers and can be stolen within minutes, then sold on the dark web for further exploitation.

In our article titled Stolen in Seconds: Why Dark Web Monitoring Matters, we examined how “stealer” malware enables this trade of stolen credentials. One of the most important lessons was clear: passwords should never be stored in browsers. At Secure ISS, we guide organisations and the people within them, towards safer practices that limit exposure to credential theft.

Why Storing Passwords in Browsers Puts You at Risk

Saving passwords in browsers is a common habit worldwide, from small business owners who want to save time to staff in larger enterprises managing multiple systems. It is often seen as harmless, reinforced by the way browsers encourage users to click “Save Password.” Attackers use a range of simple techniques to steal passwords stored in browsers, including:

• Stealer malware that quietly collects saved passwords from the browser.
• Phishing emails and fake websites that trick users into handing over login details.
• Tools designed to copy browser data like autofill details, cookies, and stored sessions, often without the user realising.

Once stolen, these credentials are sold on dark web marketplaces, forums, and Telegram channels where cybercriminals buy and exchange access to real accounts. This means a single person storing passwords in a browser can risk the wider organisation they work for.

What Happens When Your Passwords Are Stolen

In 2025, iiNet, a subsidiary of TPG Telecom, experienced a breach after attackers used stolen employee credentials. The incident exposed about 280,000 customer records, including emails, usernames, addresses, and modem setup passwords. It shows how one stolen login can quickly cause serious damage. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has repeatedly warned that stolen credentials are one of the most common entry points for attackers. Once obtained, these logins allow criminals to:

• Run business email compromise (BEC) scams by posing as staff or partners to trick people into sending money or sharing data
• Take over key accounts, including banking, email, or cloud services
• Move through corporate networks, expanding from one login to critical systems and records

Saving passwords in browsers gives attackers an easy way in, and one weak spot can put your whole workplace at risk.

Best Practices for Safer Passwords

Convenience should never come at the cost of security. Here are safer practices every individual and organisation should adopt:

Personal Protection

• Use a password manager (not your browser).
  A password manager is a secure vault that stores and generates unique logins for every account you use. Options like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass are trusted tools designed for this. They make logging in easier without exposing your passwords to your browser.

  You only need to remember one master password. It should be a phrase that is unique and memorable. Think of it as your one password to rule them all. Over time, typing it becomes second nature, a rhythm your fingers learn without effort. Never write it down.

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  Do not stop at just a password. MFA means that even if someone steals your login, they still need a second factor to get in. Use an app like Ente Auth or Aegis Authenticator rather than SMS, since text messages can be hijacked.

• Start moving to passkeys.
  Passkeys are the next step in login security, backed by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. They replace passwords with a secure login tied to your device, so you never have to remember one. Passkeys are harder to steal and protect you from phishing.

Business Security

• Look at the ACSC Essential Eight for guidance, but start simple. Make sure MFA is switched on, keep your systems updated, control which apps can run, and limit account access to only what people really need.
• Set clear password policies. Require unique passwords, ban reuse, and avoid forced rotation unless a compromise is suspected.

We’ll say it one more time, never store passwords in browsers. With AI speeding everything up, we all need to start taking personal steps to protect our identity online much more seriously. What did we miss? What extra steps are you taking? Shoot us a message, we’d love to keep learning together.