1Password: Your Complete Guide

VeritGuard Knowledge Base  |  Password Management

As part of your VeritGuard Pro or Elite plan, your firm has access to 1Password - a secure, encrypted vault for storing and managing all of your passwords. This guide covers everything from first-time setup to daily use, troubleshooting, and best practices.

In This Article

1. Activating Your Account
2. Your Emergency Kit and Secret Key
3. Installing the App and Browser Extension
4. Using Autofill in Your Browser
5. Using Autofill in Desktop Applications
6. Saving, Adding, and Importing Passwords
7. Sharing Passwords Securely with Coworkers
8. Signing In on a New Device
9. I Forgot My Master Password
10. Why You Should Never Save Passwords in Your Browser
11. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Activating Your Account

You will receive an invitation email from 1Password after your Verito onboarding. Here is how to activate your account:

1. Open the invitation email and click "Activate your account."
2. Enter your full name and email address (should be pre-filled).
3. Create a Master Password. This is the single password you will need to remember going forward. Choose something strong and memorable.
4. If your organization requires two-factor authentication (2FA), you will be prompted to set it up during this step.
5. Complete the account creation process.

2. Your Emergency Kit and Secret Key

After account creation, 1Password will generate an Emergency Kit (PDF). This document contains your Secret Key - a long, unique code that is required every time you sign in to 1Password on a new device.

1. Download the Emergency Kit immediately.
2. Store it in a secure location. Print it and keep it in a locked drawer, or save the PDF in a secure location that is not on your desktop or in an unencrypted folder. Do not email it to yourself.
3. Your Secret Key and Master Password together are what protect your vault. Without the Secret Key, you cannot sign in on new devices.

3. Installing the App and Browser Extension

Desktop App (Windows / Mac)

1. Go to 1password.com/downloads
2. Download and install the application for your operating system.
3. Sign in with your email, Master Password, and Secret Key (first time only).

Mobile App (iOS / Android)

1. Search for "1Password" in the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Install the app and sign in with your credentials.

Browser Extension

The browser extension is what makes 1Password work inside your web browser — it detects login pages and offers to autofill your credentials.

1. Open your primary browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari).
2. Install the extension:
   • Chrome / Edge: Chrome Web Store
   • Firefox: Search "1Password" in Firefox Add-ons
   • Safari: The extension is bundled with the macOS desktop app
3. Sign in to the extension if prompted.

4. Using Autofill in Your Browser

Once the browser extension is installed, 1Password will automatically detect login forms on websites.

1. Navigate to any website login page.
2. Click the 1Password icon that appears inside the username or password field.
3. Select the saved login from the dropdown.
4. 1Password will autofill the username and password and, in most cases, submit the form automatically.

If 1Password does not have a saved login for that site, it will offer to save the credentials after you log in manually for the first time.

5. Using Autofill in Desktop Applications

1Password can also autofill credentials in desktop applications like Outlook, QuickBooks, Remote Desktop (RDP), and other thick-client apps. This works differently from browser autofill - it uses a keyboard shortcut.

1. Open the desktop application's login screen.
2. Press the keyboard shortcut:

1. A small 1Password Quick Access window will appear.
2. Search for or select the account you want to autofill.
3. 1Password will enter the username and password automatically.

6. Saving, Adding, and Importing Passwords

There are three ways to get your passwords into 1Password:

1. Auto-save (recommended): When you log in to a website for the first time with the browser extension active, 1Password will offer to save the credentials. Click "Save" and they are stored in your vault.
2. Add manually: Open the 1Password app or extension, click the "+" button, select "Login," and fill in the website, username, and password.
3. Import: If you have passwords saved in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another password manager, you can import them in bulk. Go to 1password.com/import and follow the instructions for your source.

7. Sharing Passwords Securely with Coworkers

If you need to share a login with a colleague (e.g., a shared firm account), never send it over email, text, or chat. Use 1Password's built-in sharing instead:

1. Shared Vaults: If your firm has a shared vault set up (e.g., "Firm Shared"), simply save the login there. All team members with access to that vault will see it automatically.
2. Secure Share Link: For one-time sharing with someone who may not be in your 1Password organization, right-click the item, select "Share," and create a secure link. You can set the link to expire after a single view or a specific time period.

8. Signing In on a New Device

When you install 1Password on a new computer or phone, you will need three things to sign in:

1. Your email address
2. Your Master Password
3. Your Secret Key (from your Emergency Kit)

If you have the 1Password app installed on another device that is already signed in, you can scan a setup QR code to transfer the Secret Key automatically instead of typing it manually.

If you cannot find your Secret Key, see the next section.

9. I Forgot My Master Password

Here is what you can try:

1. Check if you are still signed in on another device. If the 1Password app is still unlocked on your phone, another computer, or in a browser extension, you can access your vault and export your data before being locked out.
2. Check your Emergency Kit. If you wrote your Master Password on your printed Emergency Kit (as recommended during setup), retrieve it from your secure storage location.
3. If neither works, contact Verito Support. While we cannot recover your Master Password, we can help you set up a new 1Password account and re-invite you to your firm's organization. You will lose any passwords that were stored only in your personal vault, but any passwords in shared vaults will still be available.

10. Why You Should Never Save Passwords in Your Browser

Chrome, Edge, and other browsers offer to save your passwords for convenience. However, browser-stored passwords are significantly less secure than 1Password for the following reasons:

1. Anyone with access to your computer can see them. Browser-saved passwords can often be viewed in plain text from the settings page by anyone who can access your logged-in computer — even for a moment.
2. Malware targets them specifically. "Info-stealer" malware is designed to extract saved passwords from browsers. It is one of the most common attack techniques against accounting firms.
3. No separation between personal and work. Browsers mix personal and work passwords together with no access controls, no audit trail, and no way to revoke access when an employee leaves.
4. No secure sharing. If a colleague needs access to a shared account, browser passwords offer no way to share securely — people end up texting or emailing passwords.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use 1Password for personal passwords too?

Yes. Your 1Password account includes a personal vault that only you can see, and a shared vault that your firm has access to. You can store personal logins in your personal vault — they are completely separate from your work items.

Q: Does 1Password work on my phone?

Yes. The 1Password app is available for iOS and Android. Once installed and signed in, it can autofill passwords in mobile apps and browsers using your phone's built-in autofill settings.

Q: What if I need to access a password but don't have the app with me?

You can sign in to your vault from any web browser at my.1password.com. You will need your email, Master Password, and Secret Key.

Q: I'm getting a prompt to "disable browser's built-in password manager." Should I?

Yes. Disabling Chrome or Edge's built-in password manager prevents conflicts and ensures 1Password handles all autofill. The 1Password extension will guide you through the steps, or you can contact Verito Support for help.

Q: Who do I contact if I need help with 1Password?

Contact Verito Support at (844) 629-9899 or itsupport@verito.com. We manage your firm's 1Password organization and can help with account issues, vault access, and setup questions.