KeePass is a free and open supply password supervisor geared towards energy customers and tech fans.
On this article, we stroll you thru the right way to arrange and use KeePass. We additionally reply some continuously requested questions on KeePass and its function set.
1. Downloading and putting in KeePass
In contrast to different fashionable password managers, KeePass is a totally free password supervisor. Which means you gained’t have to fret about dropping out on options for selecting to obtain the free model or choosing one paid subscription over one other.
In our hands-on assessment, KeePass obtained a rating of three.2 out of 5 stars. Take a look at our full KeePass assessment.
To obtain KeePass, I went on their official web site and navigated to the Downloads part. I’m utilizing my private Home windows laptop computer so I selected to click on on the KeePass Installer for Home windows.
When you’re utilizing a unique working system, merely search for the suitable obtain hyperlink below KeePass’ Contributed/Unofficial KeePass Ports listing.
After it completed downloading, I ran the setup installer and went by way of the required set up steps. As soon as put in, I launched the app and was redirected to a clean KeePass dashboard.
As we famous in our full KeePass assessment, KeePass doesn’t have a lot by way of an preliminary information on the right way to use their software program.
Luckily, I’ll present you the right way to set all the pieces up on this article.
2. Organising a KeePass database
As soon as I obtained to this clean dashboard, I went over to the menu bar and hovered over File and clicked New.
This may immediate KeePass to start out making a New Database. A KeePass database is your password vault. It’s the file that may retailer your passwords and different info securely.
After clicking New, KeePass requested me if I needed to proceed in creating a brand new database and I clicked OK. From there, I selected the place I needed to have my new database file saved and its.
Afterwards, KeePass prompted me to offer a grasp password for my database.The grasp password is necessary as a result of it serves as your principal key to entry your KeePass databases. In idea, that is the one password you will have to manually create and bear in mind, as KeePass has a built-in password generator that may create random and safe passwords.
Clicking on “Present skilled choices” brings up KeePass’ two choices for multi-factor authentication (MFA): key file and linking to a Home windows consumer account.
Selecting key file permits you to set a file to save lots of — in your pc, a USB flash drive, or one other gadget — to behave as an extra requirement in tandem along with your grasp password to entry your database.
In the meantime, linking to a Home windows consumer account permits you to entry your KeePass database provided that you’re logged into a particular Home windows consumer account.
For this demonstration, I selected to solely have a grasp password. After setting a password, I re-typed my chosen identify for the brand new database.
SEE: Penetration Testing and Scanning Coverage (TechRepublic Premium)
3. Saving a brand new entry with KeePass
Now that we’ve obtained a database to work with, it’s time to save lots of our first password entry. As we noticed, KeePass contains two pattern entries whenever you create your first database. You possibly can mess around with these to get a really feel for the way it works.
To save lots of a brand new entry, you may both click on the brand new entry button on the menu bar, proper click on on any house throughout the dashboard, and click on Add Entry or use the shortcut Ctrl + I.
On this case, I used the brand new entry button. From there, KeePass confirmed me the add entry menu and I stuffed within the fields for the Goodreads account I needed to create.
By default, KeePass will generate a 20-character password however you may select the size. It’s also possible to set it to have both numbers, higher or decrease case letters, and particular symbols.
After I completed filling out the fields, I checked the generated password, pressed OK, and my KeePass login was saved.
To entry my new Goodreads credentials, I had the choice to go to the newly saved login, proper click on it, and duplicate the saved username or password.
KeePass continuously requested questions (FAQs)
Is KeePass truly free?
Sure, KeePass is totally free. That is certainly one of its principal promoting factors because it doesn’t have any paid or premium model. As a substitute, you get all its password administration options totally free.
Does KeePass have a cell app?
Whereas KeePass doesn’t have an official cell utility per se, it has quite a few cell ports that had been created by its group members. As of publication, KeePass had six Android ports and 5 iOS ports listed on their official web site.
What are KeePass plugins?
These are downloadable add-ons created by KeePass customers that stretch the performance and options of the bottom shopper. They will vary from having extra multifactor authentication choices, the flexibility to vary the looks of KeePass, or bake in new import and export capabilities.
How do I add KeePass plugins?
After downloading the ZIP file of your chosen KeePass plugin, head over to the Instruments button on the KeePass menu bar. From there, click on the Plugins button then click on Open Folder. This opens the “Plugins folder” of your KeePass shopper.
After getting that open, extract the ZIP file of your downloaded plugin and duplicate the extracted folder into the KeePass “Plugins folder.” Afterwards, restart the KeePass utility to correctly load your new plugin.
Be sure that your chosen plugin is appropriate with the model of KeePass you’ve gotten put in in your pc.
The place can I am going if I encounter points with KeePass?
KeePass has an official Assist Heart web page that homes completely different guides and articles to deal with points. It’s also possible to go to its sturdy group discussion board discovered on SourceForge to get some help from different KeePass customers.
The place ought to I maintain my KeePass database?
I counsel you to retailer your KeePass database on a number of places. Except for having a duplicate in your principal pc, you may also retailer it on a separate USB flash drive, an exterior laborious drive or SSD, or a secondary machine.
This ensures that you’ve got a backup of all of your knowledge and likewise provides you extra methods to entry your logins everytime you want them.
Some customers select to save lots of their database information on the cloud for comfort and simpler entry. Nevertheless, this will increase the danger of your knowledge being leaked on-line so guarantee that your chosen cloud storage technique is safe.
What we consider KeePass
In our full assessment, KeePass obtained a ranking of three.2 out of 5 stars. We highlighted its customizability and distinctive plugin system as its principal standout options. This makes it a primary alternative for energy customers that need a safe and personalised password supervisor expertise.
Sadly, its unintuitive consumer interface, steep studying curve, and dated design make it laborious to suggest for much less tech savvy customers, particularly in comparison with different password managers.
If you wish to study extra, learn our full KeePass assessment.
