Software and Service Reviews

Keepass Pasword Manager

KeePass, is a free and open-source password manager that has been around since 2003. It’s getting a little old, but then, so am I. Possibly for that reason, it’s the password manager I use. No, that's not the reason. I use it because, in spite of its age, it has features I like, and in my opinion, it's better organized than a lot of the fancier, newer options. Here are a few Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Completely Free & Open-Source: KeePass won’t cost you a dime, and its open-source nature means anyone can contribute to its development.
• Extensive Plugin Support: You can enhance KeePass with third-party plugins, but I just use the “out of the box” product, as it does everything I want a password manager to do.
• Full Control of Your Data: If you want to maintain complete control over your password data, KeePass is an excellent choice. It provides a nice Notes area for each password record, which I use frequently.
• It Resides On Your Computer: Unlike other options, the KeePass program resides locally on your computer, rather than in the cloud. Cloud-based options have been hacked and passwords compromised. So as long as you use good practices in keeping your computer safe from intrusion, KeePass is more secure.

Cons:

• Outdated Design: The user interface might feel unintuitive due to its dated design, though I do not find it so.
• Third-Party Mobile Apps: While unofficial Android and iOS ports exist, they’re not directly developed by KeePass. I’ve never tried to use it for these devices, but some reports say it may not work fully for Android and iOS.

Customizability and Learning Curve:

• KeePass offers infinite customization options, but that may not be something the average user wants to get involved with.. Personally, I have not tried to customize it, and I find the basic product intuitive and easy to use.
• It lacks the polished interface of other password managers (again, like me) but the trade-off is control over your data.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use KeePass:

1) Download and Install KeePass

• Visit the official KeePass website (keepass.info) and download the version suitable for your operating system. WARNING: Only get KeePass from this website. There are a lot of other sites where you can download KeePass, many of them capitalizing on misspellings to the name, and some of those may deliver things you don't want.
• Run the installer and follow the prompts to install KeePass on your device.

2) Create a New Database

• Open KeePass and select ‘File’ → ‘New…’ to create a new database.
• Choose a strong master password. This will be the only password you need to remember, but you MUST remember it. Losing your master password will mean you lose access to your password database and all the passwords contained therein.
• Optionally, you can also use a key file for additional security, but I don’t use a key file. To me, that gives you one more chance to lose something you need to access the database, so I recommend against using a key file.

3) Set Up Your Database

• You can organize your entries into groups for better management.
• To add a new entry, right-click in the main window and select ‘Add Entry…’.
• Fill in the details such as the title, username, password, URL, and any notes you wish to include.

4) Generate Strong Passwords

• For super-critical sites (like your bank account) I recommend using KeePass’s built-in password generator to create strong, random passwords.
• You can customize the password criteria according to your needs.

5) Entering a Password into a Website

• There are multiple ways to enter a password into a website or application. You can drag-and-drop the password, copy-and-paste, or you can use KeePass’s auto-type feature to enter your login credentials.
• Set up the auto-type feature for each entry to streamline your login process.

6) Save and Backup Your Database

• Regularly save your database by clicking ‘File’ → ‘Save’.
• It’s also a good idea to back up your database file to a secure location.

7) Sync Across Devices

• If you want to use KeePass on multiple devices, you can sync your database file using a cloud service or a USB drive.

Remember, the master password is crucial, and losing it means you won’t be able to access your database. So, keep it safe and consider printing an emergency sheet as a backup.