Nowadays, everyone has different passwords for different accounts. You need a password for your email, blogs, work place and the list is just endless. Furthermore, each account has its own type of restrictions on the username and password types. One can’t keep the same password for all the accounts, because once cracked, all accounts can be accessed. Hence, remembering each and one of them is humanly, well, not impossible but difficult. Yes, passwords do get saved in the browser, but it is very easy for anyone to get hold of the same.
No worries, KeePass is here. KeePass is a free open source password manager, which helps you manage your passwords in a safe way. The software runs on Windows, however, there are cloned versions for Linux and Mac OS. There are many other versions available for different gadgets. The passwords are saved in a database file with the extension *.kdbx. To access this file, you would need a Master password, which is set when you create your database file. In addition to the Master password, you would need a key file, which again is created when your database file is created ( *.key file). The database is encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known.
Furthermore, there is a portable version available too. KeePass versions are periodically updated. They have made sure that the newer versions are able to import the older version files too. Hence, compatibility between versions is not an issue. The password list can also be exported into various formats such as TXT, HTML, CSV.
Along with saving passwords, there is a description field wherein you can enter more details and an URL field wherein the URL of the website can be saved. The passwords can also be classified into different groups such as Internet, Windows, Network, Email etc. The GUI is fairly simple and easy to use.
This is one great software. However, loss of the master key file or if you forget your Master password, there is no way of accessing the database. So, please keep the master key file in a safe place and remember your Master password. Hopefully, the headache of remembering your passwords are off your mind now.
The latest version of KeePass can be downloaded here.
I use RoboFOrm as my password manager, using a password manager is the way to go in terms of security.
Matt,
I have also used RoboForm with FireFox. I am prefer Chrome, but don’t know if they have a Chrome Extension.
I also use RoboForm, both with Firefox and Chrome as well as Opera. Their latest version is compatible and works great with these browsers.