Keeping your passwords safe is an important step in maintaining your online safety, which should be a high concern for both you as a person and your company as a whole. However, as keeping track of dozens or even hundreds of passwords for various websites and applications is not an easy chore, a lot of people are turning to password organizers like KeePass for assistance with this problem.
When compared to other password managers, KeePass distinguishes out due to the exceptional security and personalization it provides. But should you really go with KeePass as your password manager? Forbes Advisor conducts a comprehensive analysis of the open-source password management software known as KeePass and provides their findings in this KeePass review.
Pros
• Excellent security
• Authentication using many factors (MFA)
• 100+ plugins available
• Capability to store databases in a portable format
• No cost at any time
Cons
• Difficult to use for individuals with little experience with technology
• Outdated and confusing user interface
• No live user assistance
• Plugins are typically necessary in order to use other password managers’ in-built capabilities
Taking a Quick Look at KeePass
Back in 2003, Dominik Reichl developed the free and open-source password organiser known as KeePass. Since that time, not much has changed in terms of the design of the KeePass website or the user experience, which leads some people to question whether or not KeePass is still a valid option for managing passwords; nevertheless, you shouldn’t be concerned about this because it is.
KeePass is one of the most effective password managers available today, despite the fact that it is neither aesthetically pleasing nor easy to use. KeePass is free to use for both personal and commercial purposes; in fact, you don’t even have to pay to use KeePass in a corporate setting.
The following is a list of some of the most important features of KeePass:
• Assistance is provided for more than 45 different languages
• There is no need to install any additional software.
• To keep your KeePass database safe, you need either use a master password or a key file.
• Export files from KeePass to the following formats: TXT, HTML, XML, and CSV
• Within your KeePass database, you are able to create, alter, and delete password groups, in addition to creating password subgroups.
• Include dates in your passwords, such as the date they were generated, the date they were last modified, the date they were last accessed, and the date they will expire.
• KeePass comes equipped with a password generator that is extremely secure and random.
Security
Both the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and the Twofish method are supported by the KeePass encryption system. The SHA-256 encryption standard was developed by the National Security Agency of the United States and is utilised by KeePass. SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 family of algorithms. KeePass is the only password manager available that meets the highest possible security standards.
Your passwords, notes, and any other files that you save to your KeePass database, along with any other data that you save there, are all encrypted. It is possible to use multifactor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection to the database you keep in KeePass.
KeePass Editions (singular)
There are two different open source variants of KeePass to choose from. The original version, 1.x, is compatible only with Windows operating systems. The second version, 2.x, is compatible with Windows as well as operating systems that use Mono, such as Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Solaris. Downloads are available for those who want to use KeePass 2.x on their iOS or Android device. KeePass may also be used with browser extensions like Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge with the help of plugins that are available for those browsers.
KeePass 2.x has various features that KeePass 1.x does not have, such as the ability to modify shared databases, improved support for high DPI displays, GZip file compression, a password entry history, and two-channel auto-type obfuscation (TCATO).
It’s possible that you’re familiar with the third-party KeePass clone known as KeePassX. KeePassX was built to run on Mac and Linux, two operating systems that the original KeePass did not support but which the 2.x edition of KeePass now does support.
Other Benefits
In spite of the fact that KeePass does not provide help via chat, phone, or email, users can reach out to the active online KeePass community on SourceForge for assistance. In addition, the KeePass website features a brief introduction to the programme, as well as a Help Center that is accessible online and gives answers to frequently asked problems.
Fine Print
The source code for KeePass lacks integration of a large number of features that are typical in competing password managers. More than a hundred different plugins and extensions are included with KeePass, giving you the ability to tailor the programme to meet the specific requirements of your company.
Because KeePass is not intended to store your password database for you, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining your own backups of the information contained within it. Because KeePass does not include cloud storage by default, you will be responsible for determining where and how to store your database. This can be done locally or through the use of a cloud storage solution provided by a third party. A USB device is yet another option for backing up your KeePass vault.
If you have good technical abilities, using KeePass is a great bargain compared to its competitors because it is always free to use and it has a wide set of functions for managing passwords. KeePass’s competitors charge for their products. When it comes to ease of use, LastPass and Dashlane are head and shoulders above KeePass; to be honest, it’s not even a contest. Mobile PIN unlock is a feature that is not available with KeePass, although it is available with LastPass and Dashlane.
Is KeePass an Appropriate Choice for You or Your Company?
Because of the hard nature of the software’s technical requirements, KeePass is best suited for professional developers and business users with a high level of technological expertise. KeePass may be configured to function well in any kind of organisation, from the smallest to the largest, because it is compatible with a wide range of plugins and extensions.
KeePass is not the best option for non-technical users, who would be better served by beginner-friendly password management solutions such as Dashlane or LastPass. KeePass is a freeware password manager.
Is it risky to use a password manager?
Reputable password managers provide superior encryption that safeguards your passwords while also assisting you in managing your ever-expanding and ever-changing collection of passwords. In general, top-rated password managers are quite secure, and it is unusual for there to be a breach of security on a widespread scale.
What exactly is meant by “biometric functionality,” and is it something that my password manager absolutely has to have?
Numerous password managers provide biometric capability, typically in the form of a fingerprint sensor, which verifies your identity as an authorised user of an account. Biometrics based on fingerprints not only ensure the safety of your passwords but also make it simple for you to enter them without requiring you to recall a master key.
Is it simple to make use of KeePass?
The user interface that KeePass uses is one that, in this day and age, could be called archaic. KeePass provides an abundance of documentation to assist new users in getting up and running, despite the fact that the programme may not be as user-friendly as some of its more traditional competitors. No matter what your level of technical expertise is, using KeePass should be a simple process.
What are the advantages of making use of KeePass?
KeePass is an incredibly secure password manager that is also completely free. It is possible to save all of your passwords in a single database, from which you will only need to recall a single master key in order to have access to any of them at any time.
Should I upgrade to a password manager that requires payment?
If a free password manager does not offer all of the features that you require or desire, you might think about subscribing to a commercial edition of the software. Be careful to take advantage of the free trial offered by the majority of programmes before deciding on a payment strategy for continued use of the software.
