Secure storage of passwords is a very relevant topic at any time, especially after the recent high-profile hacks of large sites. After one of my passwords leaked onto the Internet after the MtGox exchange was hacked, I became concerned about switching to serious security methods.
So, the programs that came under my choice are the following: KeePass, eWallet, LastPass, 1Password, RoboForm. If anyone is interested, welcome to cat.
I warn you in advance: this review does not claim to be complete or 100% reliable. I just want to give the reader a sufficiently complete impression of the programs presented so that a decision can be made to use one of them.
So let's get started.
The password database is encrypted with AES-256 and stored in a file that can be synchronized in any convenient way, be it Dropbox, flash drive, or something else. It is possible to use multi-pass key conversion, due to which the time required to decrypt the database increases; this increases resistance to brute-force attacks. Some clients on other platforms can work with databases in Dropbox directly (for example, KyPass on iOS). Version 2.x databases are not backwards compatible with 1.x, which creates problems with a lot of third-party software that works with older version databases (although you can export an old format database from the new version).
KeePass has a built-in AutoType feature that allows you to automatically enter passwords in browsers and other programs. KeePass also has many plugins, which, among other things, provide tighter integration with all major browsers (IE, Firefox, Chrome), and provide many additional functions.
As mentioned above, due to the openness of KeePass, a lot of software has been written for various platforms. On mobile devices there are KeePass clients on the following platforms: iOS, Android, WM Classic, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry, and J2ME. More detailed lists of plugins and third-party software are available on the KeePass website.
The database file, like KeePass, is encrypted using AES-256. Data is stored locally; eWallet does not provide cloud storage.
Database synchronization between desktop computers is only possible through manual transfer. Synchronization of the Windows version with mobile clients on WM Classic and Blackberry occurs using built-in platform synchronization (ActiveSync and BlackBerry Desktop, respectively). Synchronization of the Mac version with the iOS version is possible via iTunes and Wi-Fi.
The Windows version of eWallet integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome browsers. The OS X version only offers Safari integration.
1Password is a popular Mac OS X solution for storing passwords, software licenses and other personal information from AgileBits. A version for Windows was also recently released, and a native client for iOS is also offered. The program is quite expensive - versions for Windows and Mac OS X cost $39.99, or $59.99 for both together; the iOS version is available in the AppStore for $14.99. The Read-only application for Android is distributed free of charge. All versions of 1Password have a built-in database synchronization function using the Dropbox service. This functionality is optional; the default database is stored locally. The database is encrypted with AES-128. Built-in integration with browsers and operating systems prevents passwords from being leaked through keyloggers.
1Password for Mac integrates with Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Camino out of the box. The Windows version integrates with Firefox, Chrome and IE. Also, both versions of 1Password offer a convenient interface for using stored information in any other applications (including the AutoType function, similar to KeePass).
In addition to integration with different platforms, 1Password provides another original way to access its database. A password storage (agile keychain) is a set of files, one of which is an HTML file with a full-fledged interface for working with the database, which can be opened by any browser on almost any device.
The RoboForm database is encrypted using the AES-256 standard, and in all versions of the program it is stored on the local computer. When using RoboForm Everywhere, the database is also located on RoboForm servers.
In addition to the main versions, RoboForm offers applications for a variety of mobile platforms. These include iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile (6.x, 5, 2003, and even Pocket PC 2000 and 2002), Palm OS and Symbian. Versions for iOS and Android support cloud synchronization and require a subscription to RoboForm Everywhere. All other mobile versions are synchronized with desktop versions using additional software.
Also, RoboForm is only one program out of two in the review with a separate plugin (or rather, even two) for the Opera browser on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
LastPass has perhaps the widest range of features in this review. The service is available on Windows, OS X and Linux on all major browsers (IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari). A version of LastPass for Apps is also available on Windows, allowing you to automatically store passwords for any application. Password database management is also possible through the web interface on the LastPass website. For Windows there is a Portable client with the ability to download the database for backup storage and offline use.
Since LastPass is a cloud service, the database is permanently stored on LastPass servers. Synchronization as such is not required. Along with convenience, storing a database on servers also poses a risk: LastPass was recently hacked (according to rumors), and the owners of the service suggested that many clients change their master passwords. The LastPass database, like most other programs in this review, is encrypted with AES-256.
LastPass offers a wide range of clients for mobile devices: iOS, Android (with additional applications for Dolphin HD and Firefox Mobile browsers), WM Classic, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry and HP/Palm WebOS. All mobile versions of LastPass (except iPad) require a LastPass Premium subscription.
| KeepPass | eWallet | 1Password | RoboForm | LastPass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| basic information | |||||
| License | GPL v2 | Proprietary | |||
| Price | for free | from $9.99 | from $39.99 | for free | for free |
| Synchronization | manual (file) | manual | Dropbox | cloud ($) | cloud |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 | AES-128 | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Portable version | There is | No | No | There is | There is |
| Browser integration | |||||
| Mozilla Firefox | |||||
| Google Chrome | |||||
| Internet Explorer | |||||
| Opera | - | - | |||
| Apple Safari | - | ||||
| Camino | - | - | - | - | |
| Mobile device support | |||||
| iOS | |||||
| Android | |||||
| Symbian | |||||
| J2ME | |||||
Noticed an inaccuracy in the review or want to suggest adding a program? Write PM.
KeePass is a free password manager. The password storage program is open source, easy to use and completely free.
With KeePass Password Safe, the user can store in one place already created and create new passwords, which will be securely encrypted in the password manager database.
On the Internet, many of us often have to create accounts in various services, services, networks, websites, etc. The motives for use can be different: creating a new electronic mailbox, an account on a social network, using appropriate services for money transfers, registration on websites, etc.
When registering, there is a need to come up with and then enter your data, mainly in the “login” and “password” fields. The security of your data will depend on the strength of your password if an outsider tries to gain access to your profile data.
To securely save your account, personal, or any other data entered into the “password” field during registration, you will need to use complex passwords. A simple password can be decrypted fairly quickly by a special program. A strong, complex password will save your data if attackers try to hack your profile.
KeePass password manager supports AES (256-bit) and Twofish encryption algorithms, with which the program databases will be encrypted.
When using the KeePass password manager, the user will not have to remember all the complex passwords created using this program. It will be enough to create and remember one complex, strong password to enter the program. In this case, all your passwords will be in one place in encrypted form.
You can download the KeePass program from the manufacturer’s official website. You can download the regular version of the program for installation on your computer, or a portable version of the program that does not require installation. Versions of the program are available for download for different operating systems (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, BSD, etc.), and for various mobile devices.
To download to your computer, select the following version of the program - KeePass Professional Edition.
KeePass download
Which version of the program is better to use? My choice is the portable version of the password manager.
When using KeePass Portable, you can run the program from a USB flash drive, or from any other removable drive on any computer. In this case, registry entries, configuration files, and other data that will be created in the Windows operating system when installing the regular version of the program do not remain on the computer.
In any case, for the safety of passwords, it will be important not to lose only one file - the encrypted KeePass password database.
To work with the KeePass program, NET Framework 2.0 or higher must be installed on your computer in the Windows operating system. This software platform is already installed in modern versions of Windows.
After downloading to your computer, unpack the archive with the program. You can place the KeePass folder (with the name of the program version) in a location convenient for you (hard drive, flash drive, external hard drive, etc.).
To localize the program into Russian, you will need to download the appropriate language pack from the manufacturer’s website: keepass Russian language. After unpacking the archive, move the localization file Russian.lngx to the folder with the program.
After opening the program window, click on the “View” menu item, and then select “Change Language...” in the context menu.
In the Select Language window, select the appropriate language. In the next window, agree to restart the program. After this, the KeePass program will be opened in Russian.
As you can see, the program window is still empty.
Now you will need to create a new password database. To do this, you will need to click on the “File” menu item, and select “New...” in the context menu.
In the “Create a new password database” window, you will need to select a location to store the encrypted password database. Here you can choose several options: save the password database in the folder with the program itself, or in some other folder on your computer, or on another external drive.
You can change the default file name “New PasswordBase” to a different file name. This can be done later when you want to rename the database name.
If you have an encrypted password database in the folder with the program itself, which you placed on a flash drive, then you can use the KeePass program after connecting the flash drive to any computer. This option for using the program has one drawback: the flash drive may be lost or fail.
I myself use a slightly different method of storing the database. I create a special folder on the D drive of my computer and then save the encrypted KeePass database there. The folder with the program itself is located on my “C” drive, although this is a portable version of the program. I created a shortcut to launch the password manager like a regular program.
I save the database, which is located on drive “D”, in the Yandex.Disk cloud storage, which I put in this section. I also copy the database to the program folder on the flash drive.
As a result, if I suddenly need to reinstall the operating system, the KeePass database will be saved, since it is located on a different logical drive. If my computer's hard drive fails, I still won't lose my data, since the database will be saved in two other places. Thus, three different save locations ensure the integrity of the database.
Attention! Pay great attention to the safety of the encrypted database of the KeePass program. If you lose your database for any reason, you will forever lose access to your passwords.
You can create multiple databases in KeePass Password Manager, each database will have its own master password. Pay special attention to the safety of all databases.
Immediately after creating the database, the “Create a composite master password” window will open, which is designed to encrypt the password database. The password can consist of one or more sources.
KeePass Password Safe offers the following options for creating a composite master password:
If you select several sources to enter the program, then you will be able to open the database only when you enter data from all sources. If you lose one of the sources, you will not be able to open the program database.
Therefore, the best option would be the default choice made by the program - “Master Password”. You will need to create and then enter a password in the “Master Password” field to log into the KeePass program.
You can click on the stars to open a field for viewing the password you are typing. At the bottom of the “Assessed Quality” scale, you can see the quality of the generated password, measured in bits. The more bits the created password has, the more secure the password will be.
In this image you can see how I made a pretty strong password using a well-known expression.
After completing the creation of the master password, click on the “OK” button.
Attention! Be sure to memorize the password to enter the program. Write it down on paper, and then be sure to memorize this password. If for some reason you lose your main password, then you will not be able to access the remaining passwords that will be stored in the KeePass program.
Next, the “Creating a new password database - Step 2” window will open, in which you can configure the parameters for creating a password database. The program, in principle, is already optimally configured, so there is no particular need to change the settings of the password database parameters.
In the “Security” tab, you can click on the “Calculate for second delay” link to increase the number of encryption cycles.
After setting and changing parameters, do not forget to click on the “OK” button.
After completing the settings, the created password database window will open. The left side of the program window displays the password database and its categories (groups). You can delete all of these groups, or keep them if the group names are appropriate for you to use (they can be renamed or changed at any time). At the moment, the groups are empty, since new entries for storing passwords have not yet been created there.
After deleting entries or groups, they will be moved to the “Trash”, which will be displayed in the groups section. If necessary, you can empty the contents of the Trash.
At any time, you can change the main password, which is used to enter the program. To do this, you will need to click on the “File” menu, and then select “Change master password...” from the context menu.
In the Create Composite Master Password window, enter a new primary master password to access the encrypted database in KeePass.
You can enter the program settings from the “Tools” => “Settings” menu.
In the “Security” tab, you can activate some items: block the program when inactive, when the computer is locked or the user switches, when entering sleep mode. When changing the remote access mode.
The “Integration” tab contains settings for global program hotkeys:
In the “Advanced” tab, in the “Start and Exit” section, I recommend activating the “Automatically save when closing/locking the password database” item.
The password manager can be locked at any time after clicking on the “Lock” icon, or using the keyboard keys “Ctrl” + “L”.
To create a new group, right-click on the name of the database, or on an empty space in this section (the left side of the program window), and then select “Add group” from the context menu.
After this, the “Add Group” window will open. Here you can select a name for the group being created, change the group icon, and add comments.
To change the group icon, click on the folder image (the default icon) opposite the “Icon” item. Next, the “Icon Selection” window will open, in which you can select a standard icon, or use another icon downloaded from your computer in “.ico” format.
To change a group, right-click on the group name, and then select “Change Group” from the context menu. Next, in the “Edit Group” window, change the group name or group icon.
Similarly, you can change the name of an encrypted database by right-clicking on the database name and selecting “Change group” in the context menu.
To delete a group, you will need to right-click on the group and then select “Delete Group” from the context menu. This group will be deleted to the Trash.
Groups can be moved in the required order. To do this, you will need to right-click on this group and select “Order” in the context menu. Next, you should select the appropriate location in the section for this group using the context menu commands.
You can add an unlimited number of subgroups to groups.
To add a password, you will first need to select the corresponding group, and then right-click in the main part (right) of the program window. In the context menu, select “Add entry...”.
After this, the “Add Recording” window will open in the “Recording” tab.
In the “Name” field, you will need to enter the name of the site, service, service, program, the password for which you will store in the KeePass program. In the Name field, enter the login for this account, and in the “Password” field, enter the password if you are entering data from a previously created account. When you create a new password, KeePass will automatically prompt you with the generated password by default.
The Quality field will display the strength quality of this password.
In the “Comments” field you can enter reference data: security question, phone number for confirmation, etc. information.
After clicking on the "Icon" button, you can select an icon for this password.
To display the password, you will need to click on the “stars” button. In this case, you can check the content of the characters that make up this password, and if necessary, you can make changes to this password.
After entering all passwords into the program, you can print all passwords onto paper from the “File” => “Print” menu. It will also be possible to send data from individual groups for printing.
Under the “stars” there is a “Generate Password” button. After clicking the left mouse button, a context menu will open to enter the password generator, or to create a key of the appropriate type.
In the “Password Generator” window, you can configure a password of the required complexity and strength.
In the “Settings” tab you will need to select a profile to create a password:
You can select the length of the generated password. For greater password security, you can select additional character sets. After completing the settings, click on the “OK” button.
According to US encryption standards, with a key parameter of 128 bits, it is usually classified as “secret”, and when using a 256-bit key, it is classified as “top secret”.
In the “Advanced” tab you can enter additional settings. In the “View” tab you can see examples of passwords created according to the rules of the first two tabs. From this tab you can copy passwords to replace your existing passwords. Naturally, you will first need to change passwords on the corresponding services, and then save the changes in the KeePass program.
The created entry will be in the corresponding group. If necessary, you can add other entries to this group, or move entries to other groups.
After closing the program window, a window will open in which you will be asked to save all changes to the password database. To save changes, click on the “Save” button, and before that, activate the “Automatically save when closing/locking the password database” option. After activating this item, this window will no longer appear, and all changes to the password database will be saved automatically.
This is done so as not to lose changes that you for some reason forgot to save. After closing the program, all changes in the database will be saved.
To change an entry, you will first need to right-click on the corresponding entry, and then select the “Edit/View Entry” command in the context menu, or press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
There are several ways to insert passwords and other data into input forms on websites and programs.
After clicking on the corresponding entry with the right mouse button, you can copy the name (login) or password from the context menu. Then you will need to enter your username and password in the appropriate fields of the input form.
Otherwise, you can copy your login and password to the clipboard using the corresponding icons located under the program menu panel.
Login, password and other data can simply be dragged from the program window using the mouse into the corresponding fields of the data entry form.
If you double-right-click on your login or password, this data will be copied to the clipboard.
You can use autodialer to insert your password and login.
When copying data, the clipboard will be cleared after a few seconds. In the program settings, you can set the required period of time (default – 12 seconds) for auto-clearing the clipboard.
When autotyping (autofilling), the keyboard will not be used, thus protecting against keylogger spyware that reads the data typed on the keyboard.
The antivirus installed on your computer must protect against keyloggers.
Autofill is called by the keyboard shortcut “Crtl” + “V”, or from the context menu “Start autofill”, after highlighting the corresponding entry in the program.
By default, when autodialing in the KeePass program, the following sequence of actions is performed that simulates manual data entry:
(USERNAME)(TAB)(PASSWORD)(ENTER)
First, you place the mouse cursor in the “login” field, then the name is automatically entered, then pressing the “Tab” key is simulated, then the password is automatically entered, then pressing the “Enter” key is simulated.
You will be able to change the sequence of entered tags to use commands in different sequences on certain sites.
To go to the desired site, you can use the “Links” context menu item to open this link in the browser, naturally, if the link has been added to the corresponding entry.
In some cases, autofill may not work.
To update the portable version of the program, simply unzip the archive with the new version of the program, and then copy the files to the KeePass program folder. The data will be overwritten, but you will not lose your settings since the configuration file and database will not be overwritten.
A large number of plugins (additional modules) and browser extensions have been created for the KeePass program, which expand the capabilities and make it more convenient to use the password manager program. Since this article turned out to be very long, it is not possible to consider such additions in this article.
The free KeePass program is designed to securely store passwords in one place. To access the password manager, the user will only need to remember one main master password.
Most popular answers. CPU publishes a selection of the most reliable and convenient services.
As Lifehacker.com notes, previously password managers could only store information in encrypted form. Today, such programs provide the ability to store data both on a computer and remotely, change the password with one click and access websites using it.
The best programs of this type can be run on a computer without an Internet connection and synchronized with many devices over the network, writes Lifehacker.com.
Some of the managers authorize the user on the sites, others keep track of passwords and check whether the same combination is used in several cases. They all have their own characteristics and approach the issue of secure data storage in their own way.
Lifehacker.com notes that LastPass was one of the first password managers that was convenient to use for storing passwords both online and locally.
LastPass remembers user passwords and allows you to manage them, and also automatically changes them if the service for which they were intended was hacked or otherwise compromised. LastPass supports two-factor authentication for password storage using Google Authenticator, a USB device, or a YubiKey.
In 2014, the service updated its user interface, making it much more convenient to use, and added a number of additional functions, such as monitoring changes in credit history, generating a secure password and storing and exchanging documents, notifications when one of the sites used is hacked, and autofill tools forms and online shopping.
LastPass supports Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry, as well as plugins for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Internet Explorer. The basic version of the service is free, and a premium manager with maximum features and support for mobile platforms is available for $12 per year.
As noted by Lifehacker.com, many users said that LastPass made their online life much easier. Thanks to the service, there is no need to use the same password on every site, you do not have to make mistakes in typing or accidentally send combinations to someone. The manager allows you to block important data when you think you have been hacked, and motivates you to take better care of security.
Dashlane was launched in 2012 and quickly gained popularity due to its attention to the interface, security, ease of authorization, automatic filling of forms on web pages and work with online stores.
During the existence of the manager, it has gone through several updates, acquired support for two-factor authentication, the ability to share passwords in case the user has lost access to their accounts and, most importantly, a function through which you can change several passwords for a dozen sites with just a few clicks. Dashlane also notifies the user if one of the resources they use has been hacked, and can independently set new unique passwords.
Tracking purchases and working with a virtual wallet simplifies work with online retailers and allows you to track all orders within the service. In addition, Dashlane provides the ability to store passwords locally in encrypted form, and also allows you to synchronize them with other devices via cloud storage.
Dashlane runs on Windows, OS X, Android and iOS and has plugins for Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer. The paid version of the manager allows you to set up synchronization of different devices. Its cost is $40 per year.
According to Lifehacker.com, KeePass is suitable for all fans of free and open source software. In this program, all user passwords are stored in an encrypted database on their system and never leave it.
KeePass has an application with which you can transfer information to several computers, even if the computer you are using is locked and the user only has a flash card.
You can configure access to the database for multiple users, and also export it in text form.
The manager has a built-in password generator that can check the uniqueness and security of each combination used.
As Lifehacker.com notes, there are a huge number of additional plugins and tools for KeePass that expand its functionality and allow you to use new platforms.
KeePass autofill works on almost all systems and browsers, thanks to which the manager can log in to sites that his analogues cannot access. It also allows you to use autocomplete in applications, dialog boxes, and other forms where you previously had to type everything manually or by copying.
In 2010, Lifehacker.com users chose KeePass as their top password manager, primarily for its open source code and approach to security.
KeePass officially supports Windows, OS X and Linux, but thanks to third-party developers, it can also be used on iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
1Password has a pleasant interface, built-in secure notes, a virtual wallet with payment information, and a reliable password generator that allows you to create combinations for specified queries, rather than just accepting the random option that the algorithm gives.
1Password can be used on a device without network access, or you can sync your password storage via Dropbox, iCloud, Wi-Fi, or network folders.
You can also set up access for other users to the storage or specify emergency contacts.
1Password supports Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS, as well as plugins for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. The premium version of 1Password for one system costs $50 (licensing package for Mac and Windows costs $70). Mobile applications and browser extensions are available only to license holders.
Users who chose 1Password noted its interface and ease of use: the manager is simply a pleasure to interact with. In addition, writes Lifehacker.com, 1Password works in almost any browser, system and dialog box.
Users also noted the “watchtower” function, which notifies about serious violations on the network, and TouchID support on iOS. The manager's disadvantages were also mentioned, including the inability to edit the database on mobile devices.
Development of RoboForm began in 1999, and since then it has had loyal fans, writes Lifehacker.com. RoboForm can be used both as an auto-fill tool for online forms and as a password manager. Encrypted data is stored both locally on the user’s device and synchronized over the network. RoboForm can be carried with you on a flash card so that you can use it on any computer without fear of losing passwords.
You can use several profiles in the manager, each of which will contain individual information about users, passwords and any other information necessary for frequent use.
The last major update to RoboForm occurred in March 2011, the product received a new interface, support for Chrome and Opera, as well as a choice between offline and online work. In addition, RoboForm has the ability to save used sites as bookmarks.
RoboForm runs on Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS and Windows Phone platforms (early versions also support Blackberry and SymbianOS). RoboForm is available as plugins in the already mentioned Chrome and Opera, as well as in Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer.
The manager is free if you use no more than 10 logins. The eleventh and subsequent logins, as well as syncing and accessing storage across multiple devices, will require the purchase of RoboForm Everywhere, which will cost $20 per year.
How often have you thought about how many accounts you have on various resources? How many usernames and passwords do you have to keep in memory or in a special file on your desktop, hidden from prying eyes? On average, a user can have up to 40 accounts. And, depending on the type of activity, this figure is quite capable of increasing by an order of magnitude.
So, the top 12 best password managers. The first half of them is perfect for personal use, and the second half is perfect for your work team.
Splikity
A simple tool for working with passwords. Support: iOS, Chrome, Android, Firefox, Safari. Cost: $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
LastPass
Simple and convenient cross-platform access to your passwords from any browser. Support: Web, Mac, iOS, Android, Windows. Cost: free for one device; $12 per year premium.
Onesafe
Your own safe with passwords. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android. Cost: $19.99 for PC, $4.99 for mobile devices.
1Password
A convenient manager for working with passwords. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android. Cost: $49.99.
iCloud Keychain
Multiplatform software for Apple users. Support: iOS, Mac. Cost: free.
CommonKey
An accessible password manager for team work. Support: Web, Chrome. Cost: free for groups of up to 3 users; $2 per user per month.
Zoho Vault
Convenient manager for remote work. Support: Chrome, Firefox. Cost: from $1 per month per user.
Meldium
Convenient password manager. Support: Firefox, Safari, Chrome. Cost: from $24 per month for 20 users.
Vaultier
Convenient software for IT companies and larger-scale management. Support: Web, Ubuntu. Cost: $99 per month for cloud storage.
SimpleSafe
One-time access to passwords via a link. Support: hosting the web application on local servers. Cost: $90.
Passwork
Maximum password protection for team work with the ability to install on your own server. Comes with open source code. Support: Web, Android, iOS, Chrome, Windows. Cost: $1.5 per month per user (or 25 rubles per month per user for Russia).
Let's now look at each of the managers in more detail.
Today, 1Password is one of the most popular password managers. It works both online and without connecting to the World Wide Web. It can easily synchronize via wifi, icloud or even dropbox. This means that synchronizing your data is completely under your control.
Of course, the manager has a mobile application. It has good functionality that allows you to easily enter the necessary profiles, enable unlocking of the “storage” via iPhone’s Touch ID, etc.
1Password lets you save more than just passwords. You can enter delivery addresses, phone and credit card numbers, driver's licenses and other important data into the safe.
What is LastPass and what is it served with? This password manager will work anywhere. You heard right. It really works everywhere. There are extensions for all popular Internet browsers, an application for Windows on PC, Linux and Mac. In mobile application stores it will not be a problem to find an option for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry. In addition, the program is free when used on one device, which makes it very attractive for ordinary users.
The premium version of the program makes it possible to synchronize it with as many devices as you can think of. In the mobile application, you can paste the required password into the required field using the usual copy-paste method. Apple owners can get instant access to the application through the Touch ID function. In general, the developers took care of everyone.
LastPass does a great job of storing credit card numbers and bank account numbers so you can access this information anywhere. If necessary, you can create access to a particular folder with passwords for other users.
On a larger scale, LastPass Enterprise allows business owners to manage their entire company's passwords through a web browser extension. That is, you can monitor the status of the passwords of any group member and make timely adjustments if necessary.
This manager advocates for fresh data. Once installed, Dashlane scans your entire database for weak, damaged, or duplicate passwords. Then he will politely suggest changing them from time to time to maintain the proper level of security. If suddenly the site you are using is hacked, the manager will immediately warn you of the danger so that you can quickly change the “lock”.
By the way, changing your password here is quick and completely painless. You can carry out the procedure in a couple of clicks. Dashlane also made switching from another manager easy and enjoyable. The program will simply scan your applications and computer for passwords, and then import them into its database.
Great news for those who often make purchases in online stores: the manager not only saves bank card and account numbers, but also receipts from stores, and details expenses. The latter can be a good help for those who are used to keeping track of the family budget. Everyone is interested in the question, where does the salary go so long before the next one?
Secret videos and photos on your mobile phone, pictures of your bank cards, insurance policy, or even the code to the locker in the gym. OneSafe will reliably hide all this from prying eyes. Another interesting feature is Decoy Safe. This feature allows you to create a phantom, that is, fake data for potential thieves. And let them hack a non-existent account... A convenient navigation system allows you to find all the necessary data easily and simply.
The program is also good because you can choose your own login method: from swipe and Touch ID to a PIN code or the newly introduced “Tri-Pin” technology. Another plus is cross-platform support, so synchronizing all involved devices will not cause any problems.
As for iCloud Keychain, today it is integrated into all the latest versions of iOS and OS X. And it protects all the data synced between your devices via iCloud. All information falls under the program's control automatically.
You can’t call this software just a password manager. Essentially, this is a full-fledged safe for your secret information. There you can enter access to servers, Wi-Fi network settings, protected disk images, etc. The program easily upgrades to new versions and synchronizes via iCloud. The manager gets access to settings on iOS through the Safari browser. It will automatically fill out forms and display your credit card numbers. All of this is protected by your iPhone's digital four-digit PIN. And Touch ID protects the system from strangers. As for the desktop application, Keychain will allow you to see all your saved passwords and conveniently sort them into folders. This software is designed exclusively for the Apple ecosystem. But the program only works with Safari. The developers note that the choice of Firefox or Chrome is not supported.
You can also install the application on your smartphone. After logging in, the data is synchronized and will become available for work. While you are using the browser application, the program will automatically enter all data into the database. If you need to send a login to another user, no problem. This can be done via e-mail, while your password will remain hidden from prying eyes.
Of course, you can use any of the above managers, but their functionality is significantly limited and is not focused on the business environment.
IT professionals highly value the transparent encryption algorithms and software capabilities that open source provides. There are two ways you can use Passwork. Firstly, you can install the boxed version on your own server and get an open source product that can be modified if necessary. Secondly, you can use the cloud version. After installation, you will have access to all the manager's many features.
The developers took a very interesting approach to the distribution of access rights. For example, you can add a new user to a temporary group by sending him an encrypted link with a one-time password by email. The administrator can easily check who has access to which passwords, and can also easily track the history of actions with them.
All passwords in the program can be sorted into groups and then into folders. Actually, it is very convenient for a large team to work in a group. And in folders it will be easier to divide all accounts according to their functional purpose. In addition, this program has a browser extension, so you can log into the desired account quickly and without unnecessary steps.
Thus, you can work with colleagues in groups, invite by e-mail or a special link, provide access to single passwords and a number of other features tailored specifically for collaboration.
One cannot fail to note the pleasant and minimalistic design of Passwork, which for some reason is alien to most password managers.
Passwork provides a public API so third-party developers can program their own client applications or achieve tighter integration with their infrastructure.
Passwork developers are located in Russia, so the service is fully adapted for the Russian language (including the cost of use: 290 rubles versus $18 per year per user). And the boxed version is adapted for Russian business and government agencies.
Meldium is basically a combination of a web application launcher and a password manager. It is great for working in groups with shared accounts.
The interface is quite simple. You have a main page where all involved accounts are displayed. To fill out a form in a particular browser tab, just one click is enough. Any team member can quickly open the required application. Using the browser application and the Meldium profile, the user will have access to company passwords sorted into groups. If necessary, administrators can add a new user. To do this, just add it manually or send an invitation by email.
This program is also useful if you need to access your personal profile. Meldium makes it possible to add all personal employee profiles and use the control panel for further administration and monitoring. The program also allows you to track password usage throughout your company. If weak or outdated passwords are detected, Meldium will mark them as weak and promptly prompt you to update them. We can say that the program finds and closes holes in the security wall of your organization.
The next storage facility on our list is called Zoho. This software allows your team members to easily and securely share important information. All you need to do is download and install a specialized extension for one of the supported browsers. True, there are only two last ones.
Using a CSV file, you can quickly import all passwords if you switched to Zoho from another manager. In personal managers, export tools serve only this purpose.
The program's reporting tools will notify you of all changes that occur in your accounts. Be it access operations or changing a password, using a particular login, etc. The business version provides administrators with very wide capabilities. A convenient and intuitive interface allows you to quickly understand the Zoho Vault operating system.
The process of becoming familiar with the program begins with carefully setting up the environment and database fields where passwords will subsequently be stored. You can sort passwords of the same format into groups. When setting up SimpleSafe, you are free to name the database fields as you wish. Now, whenever your team needs to track some private information, it will be a simple task.
The control panel in the program functions in the same way as in other similar managers, so team members will be very comfortable with its interface. True, SimpleSafe cannot boast of its own browser extension. So, if you need to enter a password, you will have to use the copy/paste method. The thing is that the software is installed on local servers.
Vaultier is another password manager for team work that you can install on your own server. However, it is quite possible to work with a lightweight version of the software - a cloud version of this “safe”. Additionally, Vaultier packages seamlessly into a Docker container with a full installation.
Vaultier relies on personal encrypted keys to protect passwords, even when protecting passwords for your entire team. Passwords are sorted into “safes” (vaults), then into “cards” with “secrets”. The latter contain passwords and account names. Such groups can also be used to differentiate access levels. That is, each user can have access to the entire “safe” or only one “card” within it. Administrators can revoke or assign access levels to any team member.
It's a password manager for the workplace with a focus on security. At the same time, each team member can safely use it to protect personal accounts.
Separate folders for passwords for different purposes allow you to conveniently organize work in the company by dividing employees into groups. If necessary, you can always add a user to a particular group and then revoke access. It's as easy as sending an invitation by email.
However, CommonKey can also be used as a personal password manager. Team members can themselves add “locks” from their personal accounts to the database and give access to them through the same interface. But you can rest assured. Personal and work passwords will be separated, and important company data will not fall into the wrong hands.
The browser extension will immediately save your passwords when you go online. When registering new accounts, the password generator will immediately start working, so that new profiles will be reliably protected in the very first seconds. And you no longer have to come up with an “access code” yourself.
KeepPass
One of the first free open source managers. Fans of the program have worked hard to make KeePass compatible with almost all operating systems and devices. It's completely free, but still has all the features of other password managers for personal use. Support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux.
Cost: free.
Keeper
It boasts a two-factor authentication method. It recognizes the presence of your other devices nearby to identify you without using digital codes. Support: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
Cost: $9/$99 per year per device.
Roboform
First of all, RoboForm will change the start page of your browser into a window with quick access to sites where your protected passwords are located. Now, even to log in to several resources, you only need one click of the mouse. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, Linux.
Cost: $19.95/year, plus $29.95 for desktop application.
Sticky Password
This is a password manager from the team behind AVG antivirus software. Along with the free version, you get very advanced functionality, and in the paid version, in addition to the first, technical support. The manager allows you to synchronize via wifi, and also has a portable version. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android.
Cost: free; $19.95/year, or $99 one-time payment.
SplashID
This manager creates a backup copy of your passwords. So you can view their history at any time. You can share passwords with your team members and roll back changes if necessary if someone accidentally changes the password. Support: iOS, Chrome, Mac, Windows, Android.
Cost: free for one device; $19.99/year for Pro version.
mSecure
You can use templates to enter any type of data and then save them to the program's storage. Data can be synced via iCloud or Dropbox for access from any device. There is also an interesting point. If you try to log in multiple times, the self-destruct feature erases all your data to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. So don't forget your master password. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android.
Cost: $9.99 for mobile device; $19.99 PC version.
Master Password
Here, passwords are not stored in an encrypted “safe” and there is no synchronization between devices. The program offers a different algorithm of actions. It combines the username, resource url and master password to create a new password for a particular site. The mobile app and the program on your PC remain linked until you change your master password. Support: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, Web.
Cost: free.
Writing passwords to a txt file is no longer the same. The right users store secret information in the right programs. We have prepared a review of five password managers - convenient and functional. Their assessment is based solely on personal opinion.
A multilingual free program for storing and generating passwords with open source and a number of ready-made plugins - encryption, synchronization, generation of pronounceable and easy-to-remember passwords.
KeePass is stored in a file that can be synced using Dropbox.
Application supporting 30 languages. But we don't really care about that.
There is a portable client for Windows - you download the database, after which you can use it offline.
The harsh truth of life: there is no point in being overly paranoid - if they really want to hack you, they will hack you. Therefore, it is better to use at least convenient managers - this way it won’t be excruciatingly painful if something happens.
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