Managing Multiple AWS Accounts and Passwords on MacOS with Safari Passwords.app

Introduction

In the modern world of technology, managing multiple accounts and their associated passwords can be a daunting task. This is especially true for developers and engineers who need to handle several AWS accounts for various projects and clients. This article focuses on how to manage multiple AWS accounts' passwords on MacOS Safari Passwords App efficiently.

Managing Multiple AWS Accounts

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has become a popular choice for many companies and developers due to its vast array of services and scalability. However, managing multiple AWS accounts can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to keeping track of usernames, passwords, and access keys.

To manage multiple AWS accounts, it recommended creating IAM (Identity and Access Management) users for each account rather than using the root account. This allows for fine-grained access control and auditing, enhancing security.

Using MacOS Safari Passwords App

MacOS Safari Passwords App is a built-in password manager that can help manage multiple accounts and passwords across various websites and services. This app can store and retrieve usernames, passwords, and even secure notes.

By default, MacOS Safari Passwords App will offer to save login credentials when users first log in to a website. Users can also manually add new login information by clicking on the "details" button on the right side of the URL bar and then clicking "Passwords."

Adding AWS Accounts to MacOS Safari Passwords App

To add an AWS account to MacOS Safari Passwords App, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the AWS account in Safari.
2. Click on the "details" button on the right side of the URL bar.
3. Click "Passwords."
4. Enter the username and password for the AWS account.
5. Click "Save Password."

Retrieving AWS Accounts Passwords

To retrieve the password for an AWS account in MacOS Safari Passwords App, follow these steps:

1. Visit the AWS account login page in Safari.
2. Click on the username field.
3. Press "Control + Option + Space" to open the MacOS Safari Passwords App popup.
4. Select the correct AWS account from the list.
5. The password will be automatically filled in.

Handling Generic (Regional) Passwords

MacOS Safari Passwords App has a feature that automatically suggests generic passwords for certain websites. While this can be useful for some websites, it can lead to confusion when managing multiple AWS accounts.

To avoid this issue, it is recommended to:

1. Disable the MacOS Safari Passwords App's feature of suggesting generic passwords.
2. Create unique and descriptive names for each AWS account password stored in MacOS Safari Passwords App.

  Preferences > Auto-fill.
 3. Uncheck "Using information from my contacts" and "Suggest passwords."
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Managing multiple AWS accounts and their passwords can be simplified by using MacOS Safari Passwords App. By following the steps outlined in this article, developers and engineers can efficiently and securely manage their AWS accounts, improving productivity and reducing the risk of security breaches.

References

• AWS - Getting started with IAM
• Apple - Safari & Passwords
• iMore - How to view and manage saved passwords in MacOS Safari