Dashlane Password Manager

What is a password manager?

Be Safe – getting started with Dashlane

All VU students have access to a free account.

You will need to use your live.vu.edu.au email address to sign up to Dashlane and unlock your free premium account. You can then continue to access Dashlane via your VU email, or switch to a personal email address.

Follow the prompts on the Dashlane website to sign up and start using the service.

A first login, you will receive a prompt to install the Dashlane browser extension. This will autosave and autofill your passwords, as you browse the web.

You can import presaved passwords from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, LastPass and 1Password by following these instructions.

You'll need to install the Dashlane app on your phone, tablet and other devices, to access the passwords stored in your account.

For more information see the Dash in 60-second user guide.

Are password managers secure?

All the passwords saved within your password manager are encrypted. The main risk in using a password manager is if your master password is compromised.

At VU, you access Dashlane through Single Sign On (SSO/eAccount), which is protected by Multifactor Authentication (MFA). This means that even if somebody else has your password, they won’t be able to access Dashlane without authenticating your account via MFA.

To ensure maximum account security, use the following measures:

• choose a long, strong and unique SSO password
• change your SSO password frequently
• log out of Dashlane when you’re not using it
• add MFA to all accounts where possible
• always lock the screen on your device when you’re not using it.

If you forget your VU password, it can be reset through the IT Support Desk. Dashlane also has a detailed troubleshooting page if you can’t log into the app or have lost your master password.

Saving passwords on your MFA activated accounts

On first login to an account that already has MFA activated, you'll need to:

• sign into Dashlane
• save the password manually
• authenticate with MFA.

After following these steps, Dashlane should automatically prefill your credentials.

Be Secure – select a strong master password

As you set up your Dashlane account, you will be required to create a login and a master password.

Your master password is like a key to a safe. It grants access to your saved data – the other passwords stored securely in your account.

Your master password is:

• not stored on Dashlane's servers
• private
• only known to you.

It is vital to create a strong, unique password that you’ve never used anywhere else.

If you forget your Master Password

As your master password is not stored in your Dashlane account, you'll need to remember it. You can also safeguard yourself by activating biometrics for your Dashlane account on your Android or iOS device. This will enable you to create a new master password and regain access to your account, without losing your data.

Be Savvy – how to make the most out of Dashlane

Sharing passwords

You may need to use the same login details as other students for group projects. Shared passwords can be safely stored in Dashlane, across accounts.

To do this, one group member will need to save the login details in their account. They should then share it with full rights, to other team members. If this group member leaves VU, the password will remain available to the people it's been shared with, depending on the type of access provided.

You can share a password with:

• full rights, which allows full access. This is beneficial if the password is for a shared account.
• limited rights will allow access to the password, with the potential for future issues. If the password expires, no one else will be able to reset it. The password also cannot be shared with new members of the team.

Passwords for VU projects or shared work accounts are best shared with full rights, to enable full access to group members and colleagues.

Dashlane password generator

Having trouble coming up with new, unique passwords? You can create complex passwords with the Dashlane password generator tool.

Check your password 'health'

Dashlane can assess the strength of your passwords and give you a score, so you can see how secure your accounts are.

Your score can be affected if:

• passwords or accounts have been compromised
• your passwords are similar or have been reused across accounts
• you've used weak passwords.

You need to have at least five passwords stored, in order to calculate your password health.

Dark Web Monitoring

Dark Web Monitoring scans the web for your compromised personal information.

If a breach is found, you will be informed, so you can take action and secure your accounts.

You can monitor up to five email addresses, including both your VU and personal accounts.