How I learned to Avoid Frustration and

Still Keep Track of all my Passwords

By Barbara Resnick

Beginners & Beyond SIG

May 8, 2008

How

It is called Keepass. It is a small program which will keep all your

account names

passwords

associated email address

URL

memos about the account, like secret questions and answers, phone numbers

and more things I have not found out about yet because I am so happy with this program keeping all my passwords accessible in an unbreakable coded database it has been enough so far.

KeePass uses a password. (the only one you will have to remember)

KeePass is encrypted.

KeePass has a portable version and can be kept on a flash drive.

KeePass can do much more but this is enough for me for now.

How to get it.

1. Log on to http://keepass.info/download.html to download the desktop or portable version. The portable version stores the program and the database on a flash drive.

2. Click on the link to the desired version.

3. Either Save it to run later or Run now to install the KeePass program.

How to learn more about it.

Log on to http://keepass.info/help/base/firststeps.html for a basic tutorial.

More advanced tutorials for more advanced features have links in the left hand margin of this web page.

How to get started. (Try a practice database first)

• Create a new password database by clicking on File>New. Enter a password which should be fairly long and have mixed case. This password will be used to access your database and is the only password to remember after entering all data in this encrypted database.

Verify this password by typing a second time. Click OK

Click OK again

By default, KeePass gives you several categories for passwords General, Windows, Network, Internet, eMail, Banking. Any of these can eventually be deleted and more customized ones added.

Upon exiting the first time, there will be a prompt to Save the database. Give the database a name and remember the password associated with this database. This will create a desktop icon to open the database. (If you ever forget this password, too bad. The database might as well be deleted.)

How to add a new password category

1. Right click in the left hand column.

2. Click Add Password Group.

3. Type in the name for the Password Group.

4. Click OK. New Group is added to left hand column.

How to add entries.

1. Click on a category or group.

2. Right click in right hand side of screen.

3. Click Add Entry.

4. Fill in the blanks.

a. Title this could be a general short identifying phrase

b. User Name the actual name used to sign in with this account

c. Password - KeePass will supply you with a whopper of a password (visible by clicking the three blue dots) or you can type in your own(which may be already existing) after clicking on the three blue dots to the right.

d. Repeat the password in next blank.

e. URL: Supply the internet address of this account.

f. Notes: Anything reminders or information you may want about this account

g. Expires: If you constantly are changing your passwords, you can indicate the date after which this password is no long valid.

h. Click OK

5. Repeat this process for each account with a password (or for any account).

6. At the first exit, KeePass prompts for a storage location and name for the database. All other exits will prompt for a Save if changes have been made.

How to use it.

Double click the icon for the database.

Open KeePass using the associated password.

Select a category. The titles in that category should show in order to select one.

Single click a title to see all related information below except the password, or

Double click to reenter the Edit Entry screen to view or edit any data.

Click three blue dots at right of password to see what is hiding behind the black dots. To enter your own password, the blue dots must be clicked.

Account names, passwords or URL s from KeePass may be copied and pasted onto the clipboard and used as needed.

• Click Print Preview to select field from each entry to be viewed. All these fields from the entire data base can be viewed here or then printed.