I’m sure you’ve heard this many times before, until you get tired of hearing it. You need strong unique passwords for each of your accounts. Do not use the same password more than once. Do not use personal information and use passwords as long as possible.
This means there are no passwords such as 12345 or abcde . Or the classic password . If you do use them, don’t ask yourself or others why you were hacked. Instead, you want something completely mind-blowing like g6J2_a1 ## @ RlQ56.99 + * B .
KeePass Password Manager”/>
But the problem is that you are not a robot that can wind up such obscure passwords. This is why you need a password manager, and since I really love open source software, I prefer the KeePass password manager.
I believe it also because it has a portable version so it fits on my USB drive.
First time KeePass setup
I’m going to use Windows Portable for this article as I usually don’t like installing software if I don’t need it. Also, since I use multiple devices, I like what can be written to a USB stick.
Download
Download it
So, first you need a setup file (obviously).
If you go to the KeePass Downloads page, you will see the latest Windows versions at the top. Always use the most recent version.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Below you will see versions of KeePass for other platforms like macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, etc. There is even one for Blackberry. Nice.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
While not all of them are called KeePass, they are all fully compatible with KeePass password databases.
Open
Open it
Now unzip the zip file, making sure the folder structure is intact. Place the unzipped file on your computer or USB drive and open it.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Click KeePassexe to start the program and you will see a login window that gives you access to a secure password database.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
But since this is your first time using KeePass, there won’t be a database to open yet. So you have to do it.
Close the login window and a blank window will appear.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Creating your first database
Create the first database
Click File–> New, this will appear.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Click OK and the next step is to create and save a KDBX (KeePass Password Database File Format) file.
Make sure it’s in the same folder as your other KeePass folders and files so you don’t lose it.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
You can also rename the KDBX file however you like. Call it Mango if you like. KeePass doesn’t care. As long as the KDBX file format exists, that’s all that matters.
Setting database password
Set Database Password
The only thing stopping someone from hacking into your password database is the password you give your KeePass database. Make him weak and they will burst through. Make it strong and they never get inside.
So take your time with this part of the process.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Try to make your database password as difficult to guess as possible. Use upper and lower case characters, numbers, and possibly a few special characters such as a comma or period.
As you enter your desired password, the Password Quality Score will show you how KeePass thinks about your choice. You want it to go as high as possible.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
You will definitely need an emergency sheet!
You’ll definitely want an emergency paper!
Finally, you will be asked if you would like to print the Emergency Sheet. YES!
For obvious reasons, there is no way to reset your password. Therefore, if you forget your database password or die, and your immediate family needs your passwords, then you or they will have a serious problem.
So print out the emergency sheet, write down the master password and then hide it. If it’s for your immediate family, put it along with your will where they can find it.
Set up your database
Customize your database
Your database will open and you can start creating and saving passwords.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Login categories are on the left. These are the ones that KeePass offers by default, but you can remove or rename them if you like. You can also create unlimited new ones.
It will save the two sample entries on the right, and you can delete them.
Create your first password
Create first password
To generate a password, go to the top of the Password Database window and click the little yellow button.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
A new password window will open. Now you need to fill in the fields. The title will be the name of the website, software, or whatever. Username well, that speaks for itself. The URL will obviously be a link to a website or software service. None of these fields MUST be filled in, but it helps.
Now about the password. For security, the password is hidden by dots. If you press the button with three dots, the password will open. Press the button again to mask the password.
To generate a password, click the key icon under the three-dot button and you will get this menu. Select Open Password Generator
.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
You really only need the Create Using Character Set section. Choose the length of your password (a good length is at least 25 characters). Then choose what types of characters you want to use in the password.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Now click OK and the password field will be pre-filled with the password. Click on the button with three dots to see what you were given. I do not like. Use the password generator again for another spin.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
Login
Sign in
If you want to log into this site, right-click the KeePass entry and select Copy Username . Then click the username field on the website and press CTRL + V to paste the username (or CMD + V on a Mac). Right-click the entry again, select Copy Password and repeat the process in the password field.
KeePass Password Manager”/>
You need to act quickly because after 12 seconds KeePass erases information from the clipboard for security purposes. You can shorten or lengthen the time in KeePass options.
Conclusion
KeePass makes it as easy as possible to create and manage complex passwords. There is no longer any excuse that maintaining unique passwords is tedious and tedious. KeePass allows you to do this with just a few clicks.
–