The Book-keepers Forum (BKF)

Post Info TOPIC: Password managers
Jay


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 262
Date:
Password managers


Good afternoon,

I hope this subject is appropriate.  

Over the years we have accumulated numerous passwords etc using a multitude of systems to make them safe.

At the moment they are encrypted and kept safely.

We are now just 2 partners, with a view to retirement in 3-5 years so do not expect to employ staff again.

We have 2 desktop Pcs , laptops and smart phones,  all at times use the passwords.

We are looking towards using a password manager and wondered if anyone had any experience with one.

 

Thank you

 

Jay

 



__________________


Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 1811
Date:

Yes.

Oh - you wanted a little more than that. ;)

There are two main variations - applications that run natively on your devices, and cloud-based managers.

The obvious advantage with cloudy ones is that you only need to know that one password, and you can access it from any computer that has an internet connection. The main disadvantages should be obvious, but I'll spell them out anyway: If it's cloud-based then, without an internet connection, you don't have access. And if the provider gets hacked, all bets are off; depending on the nature of the hack, the attackers could have access to your password database, so you don't just have a problem on one site/service/whatever, you have a problem with every one of them.

Looking at the ones that run on your computer, you still have the benefit of only needing to know that one password, but now you're limited to only being able to access it from the computer the data is on. It's on that computer regardless of whether you have an internet connection, though, so that's something. The password database should be encrypted, so as long as you make your main password strong (and keep it safe) if someone manages to access your computer, they shouldn't get those valuable passwords.

So with the risk of cloud being a disadvantage in one case, and the limitation of one PC being a disadvantage in the other, there's a compromise solution: Use one that runs on your devices, and store the database file on something accessible by them all.

If you were just talking desktop PCs, I'd suggest storing it on a network drive - but you mention laptops and phones, so you'll probably want access when out and about. In which case, Dropbox (for example). While that means you're storing the database file in the cloud, with a good manager it should be a locally encrypted file - so even if someone gets into Dropbox, they won't be able to get into that file.

This is what I do - though using Pcloud not Dropbox.

The program I use is called KeePass; it has official versions for Windows and Linux (including versions that can run from a USB drive, so you can plug it into any computer - but that's no good if you want more than one person to access the file). There are also unofficial ports to Android and iOS, so that's your phones covered. (Probably).



__________________

Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software

(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)

Jay


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 262
Date:

Thank you so much. 

I did google it but nothing beats experience.

Best wishes,

 

Jay



__________________


Master Book-keeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 3904
Date:

Very helpful information Vince, and really something I should be doing too.  All my passwords are stored in my head using an algorithm, but  that too has it's drawbacks if anyone was able to suss it out.



__________________

John 

 

 

 Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
©2007-2024 The Book-keepers Forum (BKF). All Rights Reserved. The Book-keepers Forum (BKF) is a trading division of Bookcert Ltd. Registered in England Company Number 05782923. 2 Laurel House, 1 Station Rd, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS22 6AR, United Kingdom. The Book-keepers Forum and BKF are trademarks of Bookcert Ltd. This forum is a discussion forum only. There will usually be more than one opinion to any question and any posting should not be viewed as a definitive solution. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any posting on this site is accepted by the contributors or The Book-keepers Forum. In all cases, appropriate professional advice should be sought before making a decision. We reserve the right to remove any postings which are offensive, libellous, self-promoting or engaged in covert marketing. We will not notify users of removals. The views expressed in the forum posts are those of the individual and do not necessary reflect or agree with those of The Book-keepers Forum. Any offensive or unsuitable posts will be removed by the moderators. Any reader of this forum can request for a post to be looked into by sending an email to: bookcertltd@gmail.com.

Privacy & Cookie Policy  About