Password Managers - A Brief Overview

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.

Technologies

The password database is encrypted with AES-256. It is possible to use multi-pass key conversion. This increases resistance to direct attacks - perhaps in this regard, KeePass is more reliable than other password managers.

KeePass is stored in a file that can be synced using Dropbox.

Functions

• Create a record.
• Duplicate recording.
• Sorting records - by columns, by tags.
• Groups of records - tree and sorting.
• Search by records - quick or advanced.
• Copying record data - double click on the copy field, deleting copied information from the clipboard after a certain period of time.
• AutoType for automatic data entry in browsers and other programs.
• Storing dates.
• Password generator, including with specified parameters.
• Lock button - when you log in again, the program again asks for a master password.
• Database and program settings.
• Changing the master password.
• Triggers.
• Export files: TXT, HTML, XML, CSV.
• Import files: 35 formats.
• Database transfer.

Overall impression: everything is cool, but the appearance is clearly for old-school fans.

Versions

Available in versions for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows - no lower than 7. The Windows version of eWallet integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome browsers, and the version for OS X only with Safari. The program is paid, but there is a test version for 30 days.

Technologies

The database file is encrypted using AES-256. The database is synchronized only manually.

Functions

• Tree of categories.
• Adding a card with customization.
• Customization of fields in cards.
• More than 30 templates - credit cards, passwords, bank details.
• Tree statistics - counters by information type.
• List of recent cards.
• Password generator.
• “Live fields”, for example, a call by clicking on a number field.
• Auto Pass - automatic substitution of login and password in the browser field.
• Smart Copy - quick copying of card numbers.

General impression: a lot of functions, but poor usability, plus the design in the style of a symbolic wallet with plastic cards causes strange sensations.

Application supporting 30 languages. But we don't really care about that.

Versions

Windows and Mac OS X, applications for mobile platforms iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Symbian. However, the desktop version does not involve importing data from Chrome.

Technologies

Synchronized using cloud technology, the database is encrypted using the AES-256 standard.

Functions

• Creating records.
• Search.
• Printing - logins, persons, notes.
• Auto Login.
• Password generator.
• Additional protection for each record. To open data, you must enter a master password.
• Importing entered data from the browser.
• Sending records by e-mail - requires entering a master password.
• Create shortcuts on the desktop and in the browser.
• Integration with Windows Login.
• Ability to open multiple program windows.
• Administration: creating and editing user groups, sharing records into user groups, synchronizing databases when editing by users, checking which records were accessed by a specific user.
• Profiles of different users on one copy of the program.
• Backups.
• A portable version of the database that can be stored on a flash drive.
• Unicode control characters.
• Filling out long forms in online stores with one click.
• Screen keyboard.

General impression: there are a number of minor usability bugs - for example, the password generator in Windows is launched from the Start panel or by clicking on a shortcut; it is impossible to launch it from the program itself. And other similar little things - unimportant, but unpleasant.

Versions

Extension for major browsers - IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera, works only on the web. There are versions for mobile devices iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry and others. It is possible to manage the password database via the web interface on the LastPass website - this is quite convenient.

There is a portable client for Windows - you download the database, after which you can use it offline.

Technologies

LastPass is a cloud service that does not require synchronization. The database is encrypted using the AES-256 algorithm.

Functions

• Search.
• Autocomplete.
• Login with one click.
• Settings - general, security, etc.
• Multi-factor authentication.
• One-time passwords.
• Security check to find weak passwords.
• Automatic protection of credentials from theft on phishing sites.
• Search for unprotected objects on your computer.
• Import from previous password manager.
• Prohibited addresses.
• Password exchange (access control).
• Automatic user synchronization.
• Administration: reports and user management.
• Bookmarks.
• Screen keyboard.
• The program is free, but you will have to pay for additional features like weak password detection, on-screen keyboard, and phishing protection.

General impression: strong encryption mechanism, convenient work with passwords in the browser.

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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