The other day I was about to lose my mind. I have so many damn user names and passwords to remember. Needless to say, I can’t remember all of them and I find myself using the “Forgot your password?” link once a month for at least one site. So I just had enough of it this month. There is no way I’m going to remember everything from  job sites to travel sites and everything in between.

I started looking for a password manager. My friends all use different methods. One uses an encrypted text file and the other uses some free program, Keypass, I think. I wanted something that did everything for me and all I had to remember was a couple passwords. I found what I wanted in 1Password. 1Password is a password management desktop application for $39.35 and $4.99 for the iPhone app. Yeah I know, kinda steep but it is worth every dollar. I thought it was kinda BS that I had to pay for the iPhone app after I already bought the desktop version, but oh well, we’re all trying to make a buck. Also, the app is pretty nice so after I started using it I wasn’t that pissed.

Anyway, this application has made my life so much easier and that much more secure. I’m only using a handful of features right now but I’m sure the more in a couple weeks I will be using every bell and whistle this application has. This is what I got for you right now. Launch 1Password and it will ask you to create one master password which gives you access to the application. Then go to any site you normally log into like your bank account and type your user name and password. 1Password then asks you if you’d like the program to save this record. Click yes and it will create a log in for www.bankaccount.com. The next time you visit www.bankaccount.com click on the browser extension (you will install during installation of the program) and select “Login with Bank Account” and 1Password will log you in with those credentials after you unlock the application with the master password you set.

So repeat that process for all the sites you log in to and everything gets saved locally on your computer. Now you only have to remember two passwords: the password to your computer (You do lock your computer don’t you?) and the password to 1Password. I use the Wallet feature too. I carry one credit card and one check card. I lost my wallet a while ago. It wasn’t a pain in the ass to look go online and look up the phone number for my cards and call and cancel. However, with 1Password I enter all the information for my cards and sync it to my iPhone using the iPhone app. This way if I lose my wallet I have the numbers with me and can cancel the cards or even use my cards for an emergency purchase before I shut them down. This feature is also awesome for travelers. Normally when I take an international trip I email my self pictures of the cards just in case I need any information off of them if they are lost or stolen. But that’s not really safe and I delete them immediately when I get home. Now with 1Password, the information is protected and not online.

This program also has a built in password generator. You can set criteria like one capital later, at least one number, and/or at least one special character. It generates you a random password based on the strength you desire. Use that password and store it in 1Password so you never have to remember it again.

The one problem I see is password mobility. If you’re at a internet cafe and want to check one of your accounts but used the password generator to create the password I’m sure you don’t remember it and won’t be able to log in to your account when you’re not on your computer. I really don’t know what to tell you besides memorize them unless you have an iPhone. If you have one of those gizmos your passwords come with you. The iPhone app also has two layers of protection on it. It asks you to set a pin to access the app. After you set that app you set another master password. When you launch the app you enter your PIN and then it gives you access to your log in profiles. However all the passwords are masked. If you want to see the password you have to enter the master password to see the actual text. iPhone sync is over wifi (phone and computer have to be on the same network) not internet. This way nothing is transferred online through a third party site.

I highly recommend this software package, desktop and iPhone app. I have over 30 log ins and this thing has seriously made my life easier. I know it’s a bit steep for 45 bucks but the random password generator, one touch log in, and protection is worth it to me. You can buy this software here. iPhone app here.

Be Sociable, Share!

•