Password Managers

I just upgraded my Kasperksy and am using their password Manager.  I haven't used one before and I've always wanted to use one, but I was disappointed when I see that passwords are no longer stored at the browser level - and if I forgot a password, I have to go through the password manager.  Which means opening Kaspersky - Running Password Manager - Typing in a password for password manager - Finding the associated domain whether in the list or searching - then click Run in browser.

Is this how they work?  If so I think I'll just rely on the browser saving it.


Many work differently.

I use KeePass. A browser login URL can be added for each password. When I need to open a password protected site, I open KeePass using my master password. I then select the appropriate password entry and use my hot key to go to the password URL. Going to the URL is like opening an Email - you end up at the logon correct screen and with the cursor at the password entry field. I then use another hotkey to get KeePass to autotype the password and automatically logon.

The default for autotyping is {user id}{password}{enter}. Not all logon screens work like that. My bank requires {logon}{enter}, then go to a second screen for {password}{enter}. There is a delay between screens. For each password entry the default can be overridden. So for my bank I set the logon sequence to {logon}{enter}{delay 5 seconds}{password}{enter}.

Once you get used to KeePass its quite easy. The only work involved is setting up the password entry. For my bank it comes down to open KeyPass, select the password entry, hit one hot button (to get to the initial login screen as set by the URL) and follow with another hot button to login. For many sites KeyPass can also be set up automatically select the password entry provided you're already sitting at the URL logon screen. 

I keep trivial passwords in my browser. I use KeyPass for high security sites such as banks. It can also be used to autotype passwords in non-URL applications such as VeraCrypt.

KeyPass creates and uses an encrypted password file which is opened after the master password is entered. Its advised to backup the file to media (USB, etc.) so you still have it if you lose your hard disk.


I use LastPass and like it very much! Do you mean that you no longer have ‘autofill’ of your usernames/passwords? LastPass definitely does that and I love that feature. (Doesn’t do it on my iPhone though - or maybe I just don’t know how to set it up there?)

I was always leery of allowing the browser to save passwords. Isn’t that less secure than in a password manager?


Jamie, are you troubled at all about Kapersky being suspected of being a Putin agent, and of the defense establishment here barring any further use of the software, as they believe they may have been compromised by it? 


They save trouble in some cases and add extra work in other cases. You have to decide if they're worth the effort. In the end, I'm willing to go through extra trouble to have good passwords that are different for every site. I'm not willing to take the risks associated with bad passwords or reusing passwords. Most of the time, Lastpass saves me trouble, because I rarely have to type any passwords at all.



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