24 July 2025 | Article | Helder Figueiredo

Is Chrome Safe to Use as a Password Manager for Your Business?

No, Chrome is not safe to use as a password manager for your business.

While convenient, Chrome’s password manager is built for personal use and lacks the security, visibility and control that SMEs need. Many staff (including senior leaders), often save corporate logins in personal Chrome profiles, making them vulnerable to browser-based hacks and password theft. Even two-factor authentication (2FA) can be bypassed through session hijacking.

Unlike Chrome, Microsoft Edge can be secured and centrally managed and proper corporate password managers like Bitwarden or KeePass provide the structure, control and auditability businesses require.

The solution? Audit and clean up saved passwords, deploy a company-wide password manager and enforce a policy that ensures no business credentials are stored in personal tools.

Have You Ever Considered How Many of Your Business Passwords Are Stored in Your Employees’ Personal Google Chrome Browsers?

Probably more than you think. And it’s not just frontline staff. Chances are, senior leaders in your business are doing this too.

We get it. You're in a rush, juggling a dozen tasks and up pops that little prompt:

“Would you like Chrome to save this password?”

It’s easy. It’s convenient. And we’ve all clicked “yes.”

But when those saved passwords are for corporate systems and they’re stored in a personal Chrome account, that’s a serious risk waiting to explode.

What Can I Do Now?

If your staff are saving business passwords in personal Chrome accounts, or syncing credentials across personal devices, you’re carrying a serious and unnecessary risk.

One route is to tackle the issue internally. That means manually auditing all saved passwords across your business, ensuring employees remove any corporate credentials stored in Chrome, Safari, Keychain on iPhones, or Google Autofill on Android devices.

You’ll also need to enforce a standardised browser policy, ideally locking down usage to Microsoft Edge and configuring it for corporate sign-in only. On top of that, you should select a secure password manager like Bitwarden or KeePass, deploy it across all users and devices, train your team, set up admin permissions and create an enforceable IT policy that defines secure password practices.

It can be done, but it takes time and coordination, with ongoing management and oversight.

The other option? Let us take care of it for you.

Our Corporate Password Security & Management Pack is a fully managed service that handles the entire process on your behalf. We’ll audit your current setup, eliminate risky storage habits, roll out a secure password manager and ensure every member of staff is trained, compliant and protected. We’ll even install the necessary plugins, provide migration assistance and deliver a ready-to-use IT policy tailored to your business.

If you want to protect your business without the stress or uncertainty, we’re here to help.

Talk to us today about rolling out your password security baseline.

Secure Your Business Credentials Now

How Is the Hack Happening?

When employees save passwords in browsers like Chrome, those credentials are often stored in unencrypted local files and under certain conditions, they can be extracted easily.

Here’s How Attackers Are Doing It:

Access the Device (Physically or Remotely)
If a hacker gains access to an employee’s device (either by tricking them into installing malware, or via physical access), they can bypass the browser’s basic protections.
Use Credential Dumping Tools
Tools like LaZagne, Mimikatz, or SharpChrome are freely available on hacker forums and can scan the system for stored credentials. They specifically look for:
- Browser-stored passwords
- Saved sessions and cookies
- Autofill data
Bypass the Browser Login Prompt
Chrome does ask users to enter their Windows password before showing stored credentials, but this is not real encryption. If the hacker has access to the device while it’s unlocked, or can escalate their privileges using other tools, they can bypass this check.
Export or Decrypt Stored Credentials
Once access is gained, passwords stored in the browser are either exported in plaintext or decrypted using the device's local authentication keys. This includes:
- Website logins (e.g. CRM, ERP, email systems)
- Admin panels
- Even saved Wi-Fi passwords
Leverage Sync Across Devices
If the Chrome account is syncing passwords across devices, the compromise isn’t limited to just one machine, it can now affect every device connected to that account.

Why Is 2FA Not Working Against This?

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is supposed to be your second line of defence; an extra security layer that stops attackers, even if they have your password. But in some recent cyberattacks targeting Google Chrome users, even 2FA has been completely bypassed.

So What’s Going Wrong?

In December 2024, cybersecurity researchers confirmed a Chrome-related attack that allowed hackers to bypass 2FA protections using a technique called session hijacking (Forbes).

Here’s how it works:

The Attacker Steals Session Cookies
When you log into a website, Chrome stores a session cookie that tells the site you're authenticated. If a hacker can access this cookie through malware or by compromising the browser, they can insert it into their own browser.
They Skip the Login Process Entirely
With the stolen cookie, the hacker doesn’t need your username, password, or even the 2FA code. The session cookie already says “this user is verified.”
They Gain Access to Sensitive Systems
Once logged in, they can often move laterally through systems, escalate privileges, or even change passwords and security settings without triggering any 2FA prompt.

Why Is This Especially Dangerous in Chrome?

Chrome syncs browser sessions, passwords and settings across devices when logged in with a personal Google account. If that account is compromised, hackers could:

Access passwords and cookies stored across multiple devices
Use those cookies to impersonate a user (including senior executives)
Completely avoid triggering your 2FA alerts or challenges

Bottom Line: 2FA Can’t Protect What It Doesn’t See

2FA protects the login process. But once you're in, session cookies take over. If those cookies are stolen, 2FA can become effectively irrelevant. It’s like locking the front door while leaving the window wide open.

What’s the Difference Between Chrome and Bitwarden/KeePass?

Personal vs Corporate Password Managers

It’s easy to assume that if Chrome remembers your passwords, it’s doing its job as a password manager. But there’s a massive difference between consumer-grade convenience and corporate-grade security and control.

Chrome Password Manager (Personal Use)

Tied to personal accounts: Chrome stores credentials in the user's Google account, which means IT teams have zero visibility or control.
Lacks centralised management: There's no way for administrators to monitor, audit, or revoke access if an employee leaves or is compromised.
No sharing features: You can’t securely share credentials across teams or roles as everything is tied to a single user’s profile.
Risk of sync across devices: Passwords may be stored on personal devices without your knowledge if syncing is enabled.

Bitwarden & KeePass (Corporate-Grade Solutions)

Centralised Admin Control: IT leaders can manage access, permissions and sharing from a central dashboard.
Secure Team Sharing: Passwords for team-used apps (like supplier portals or analytics tools) can be shared without revealing actual credentials.
Audit Logs: See who accessed what, when and from where they accessed this.
Zero-Knowledge Encryption: Only you and your team can decrypt stored credentials. Even providers like Bitwarden don’t have access.
Role-Based Access Control: Employees only see what they need, reducing the risk of misuse.

Summary:
Chrome is designed for convenience. Bitwarden and KeePass are built for security, accountability and scale.

How Can Microsoft Edge Be Configured as a Corporate Password Manager?

Unlike Chrome, Microsoft Edge allows for enterprise-level control and enforcement, especially when paired with tools like Microsoft Intune or Group Policy.

Here’s how you can configure Edge to block personal usage and enforce safe password management:

Enforce Sign-In with Corporate Accounts Only

Using Group Policy or Intune, you can prevent users from signing into Edge with personal Microsoft accounts. This blocks them from syncing personal data across devices, such as saved passwords

Disable Personal Sync and Autofill

Disable Password Manager: Prevents Edge from saving passwords altogether, or limits it to specific corporate-managed accounts.
Control Sync Scope: You can fine-tune what data is allowed to sync (e.g., allow bookmarks, block passwords).
Block Extensions: Stop users from installing consumer-grade password managers or risky third-party plugins.

Require Multi-Factor Authentication

Ensure that all Edge sign-ins with corporate accounts are protected by conditional access and 2FA policies.

Summary:
Edge gives IT teams the tools to create a controlled, secure browsing environment. Unlike Chrome, which mixes personal and professional data with little oversight.

Why Can’t Chrome Be Used as a Password Manager for Business?

According to security experts and reports like Syn-Star's overview, Chrome falls short as a business-grade solution for one simple reason: it’s not designed for businesses.

Here’s what makes Chrome risky for corporate use:

Passwords Stored Locally or in the Cloud Without Encryption: If someone gains access to the device, stored passwords can often be accessed in plain text or easily decrypted.
No Team Management: There’s no administrative interface, user provisioning, or permissions control.
Syncs Across Devices Automatically: If users are logged into Chrome on a home device, all passwords sync there too, completely outside your IT perimeter.
No Audit Trail: If credentials are misused, there’s no way to trace what happened or who accessed what.

Summary:
Chrome’s password manager is convenient for individuals but dangerously inadequate for teams, especially in industries where data protection is critical.

Who Needs a Corporate Password Manager?

The short answer is every business.

Regardless of your size or structure, if your team uses digital tools, then a password manager is essential, especially if they share access to them. That's because...

Shared Logins (Marketing, Finance, Operations Teams)

Use Cases: Shared access to social media accounts, CRM portals, cloud tools and bank portals.

Risks Without a Password Manager:

Passwords shared via email or spreadsheets
No way to revoke access if someone leaves
You have no audit trail, so you have no idea who accessed what, when, or from where.

Solution: Bitwarden and KeePass allow secure, permission-based sharing of credentials without revealing the actual password. You can grant access, revoke it instantly and monitor who’s logging in.

Individual Logins (Sales, Support, Admin Staff)

Use Cases: Email accounts, personal CRM logins, cloud document tools.

Risks Without a Password Manager:

Staff use weak, repeated, or easily guessed passwords.
Credentials get lost or forgotten, leading to downtime and support tickets.
IT teams have little visibility over what accounts exist or how they’re accessed.

Solution: With a password manager, each user has their own encrypted vault. They can store logins securely, generate strong passwords and access everything via a single master login (or SSO).

Why It Matters

Credential sprawl (where passwords are stored everywhere and nowhere) is a big hidden risk in businesses. Whether logins are shared between teams or managed by individuals, if they’re not being stored securely, centrally and accountably, they’re a liability.

A corporate password manager:

Secures credentials behind end-to-end encryption
Centralises access management across your organisation
Enables auditability for compliance, oversight and internal reviews
Makes offboarding safe by revoking access without exposing data
Builds consistency and accountability into everyday working habits

In short, it protects your data, your people and your reputation without relying on memory, trust or manual processes.

Action Plan: Locking Down Your Corporate Credentials

Step 1: Remove Stored Passwords from Personal Devices

We’ve created a full, step-by-step guide (with screenshots) that shows exactly how to remove saved business passwords from Chrome, iPhones and Android devices, including how to identify which passwords to delete.

But in simple terms, here’s the basic process:

Google Chrome (Desktop - Windows/macOS):

Open Chrome > Click the three dots (top right) > Passwords and autofill > Google Password Manager > Search for business-related platforms and emails > Select each entry > Delete.

iPhone/iPad (iCloud Keychain):

Open Settings > Search “Passwords” > Tap Passwords > Tap “Open Passwords” > Authenticate > Search for business logins > Tap entry > Edit > Delete.

Android (Google Autofill):

Open Settings > Passwords, passkeys and accounts > Tap "Open" under Google Password Manager > Select your account > Search for business credentials > Tap the entry > Delete & confirm.

The complete guide not only walks through these steps in detail, but it also explains which specific passwords should be removed and how to avoid syncing them again in future.

Once that crucial first step has been completed, you can move on to step 2.

Step 2: Deploy a Corporate Password Manager

Once you’ve removed saved business credentials from personal devices, the next step is giving your team a secure, structured way to manage those passwords going forward.

A corporate password manager does exactly that. It ensures all logins are stored in one secure location, protected by encryption, monitored by admins and only accessible to authorised users.

Unlike personal browser tools, business-grade password managers provide centralised control, secure sharing between departments, user permission management, audit trails and proper backup options.

There are two options that we have verified and we typically recommend, depending on your business needs and setup:

Bitwarden (Cloud-Based Solution)

Ideal for businesses that want secure, remote access and admin control without needing to host or manage infrastructure.

Sign up at bitwarden.com
Choose the Teams or Enterprise plan, depending on your size and sharing needs
Set up your organisation structure, collections (vaults) and user roles
Invite users and begin storing credentials securely

View the Bitwarden setup guide >

KeePass (Self-Hosted, Local Solution)

Best suited for organisations that prefer local control and do not want to rely on cloud-based storage.

Download KeePass from keepass.info
Create a new .kdbx password database
Store this file securely on a cloud-synced drive (e.g., OneDrive or SharePoint) with access permissions managed by IT
Begin entering credentials, setting up categories and distributing access with care

View the KeePass setup guide >

Both options offer industry-standard encryption and help eliminate risky behaviour like shared spreadsheets, email-based password sharing, or employees using the same password across platforms.

Step 3: Set Up and Train Your Team

Rolling out a password manager is only half the job. The other half is making sure your team knows how to use it correctly and confidently from day one.

Without proper training, even the best systems can be underused or misused. Staff might revert to insecure practices out of habit, or avoid using the manager entirely because it feels unfamiliar or they are not confident on how best to use it.

That’s why onboarding and training are essential for adoption and safe, consistent use.

Start by introducing your team to the basics of the system you've chosen, including how to log in, store credentials, use browser extensions and how to access team vaults or collections (for shared logins).

We recommend using official guides and trusted walkthroughs to keep things simple and accurate - the links below include some really handy videos:

Bitwarden Training Resources

These guides cover setup, storing and sharing passwords, using browser extensions and enabling two-factor authentication.

KeePass Training Resources

These explain how to set up a database, create entries, use groups and categories and configure file storage securely.

You don’t need to run full training sessions for everyone, just ensure staff know how to get started and that your IT team or admin has the appropriate level of knowledge to support them.

Step 4: Roll Out a Company-Wide Policy

Once your password manager is in place and your team is trained, the final step is ensuring long-term consistency through a clear, enforceable company policy.

A Corporate Password and Data Use Policy formalises what’s expected of your staff so you’re not relying on memory, informal reminders, or assumptions about “common sense” security behaviour. It sets the standard across your organisation and ensures everyone is aligned, from entry-level employees to senior executives.

This policy should clearly state that:

No business credentials should be saved in personal browsers (e.g. Chrome, Safari) or mobile autofill tools.
The approved password manager must be used for storing all corporate logins, no spreadsheets, notepads or shared inboxes.
Any previously saved passwords in personal devices must be removed immediately to prevent duplication and reduce risk.

You should also require every team member to sign this policy, including senior leadership. This sends a strong message about accountability and helps build a culture of secure, compliant behaviour.

If you don’t have a policy like this already, we’ve created a ready-to-use template that you can adapt to your business.

Request the Corporate Password and Data Use Policy Template >

Once your policy is in place, you’ll have everything aligned: secure systems, trained staff and clear expectations that protect your business every day.

Let Us Secure Your Business Passwords Without Putting the Burden on Your Team

Relying on staff to clean up their own password habits? That’s a risk. Our Corporate Password Security & Management Pack takes the pressure off your team and ensures secure, consistent credential management across your entire business, fully managed by us.

We’ll help audit your password storage, enforce the use of an approved password manager (like Microsoft Edge with corporate login, or deploy Bitwarden or KeePass), train your users and admins and deliver a complete policy your staff can follow.