Passwords

Gate Keeper · 22nd April 2013, 13:32

I have passwords for this and other forums, various email addresses and bank accounts. I keep all of them in my head and sometimes wished I had a record of them somewhere else. Is there a secure programme I can use on a Mac laptop or on an iPhone which will keep the passwords together safely and not be accessible by Tom, Rich, Harry or SWMBO

Other ideas welcomed ? Please advise.

humphshumphs · 22nd April 2013, 14:35

Pity you use a mac

I've got a password vault program on my laptop and it's brilliant as you just need to remember 1 password (to get into it) and then it's got all the usernames/passwords etc listed. I seem to remember it cost me less than £10.

Have a search online, I'm sure there is a Mac version.

uk_dave&gill · 22nd April 2013, 15:46

I use a passworded Excel spreadsheet

I know that you can find workarounds to unlock Excel Workbooks, but the chances of any actually getting the spreadsheet off my PC and then being bothered to hack it are tiny...... (I hope!)

Gate Keeper · 22nd April 2013, 16:03

Thanks for the information about the Vault and about using Excel. I will look into both of them. I understand the theory of computer hacking and will need to be careful. One password to unlock is appealing. Thanks for your help.

mpiekp · 22nd April 2013, 16:36

If really paranoid, you could put all the passwords into a macro in excel, then lock that.
The common excel password crackers do not work on locked vba.

uk_dave&gill · 22nd April 2013, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpiekp

If really paranoid, you could put all the passwords into a macro in excel, then lock that.
The common excel password crackers do not work on locked vba.

TBH in my experience it's been the other way around! I've got some utilities (as recommended by the experts on MrExcel) which will easily unlock Worksheets and get around locked VBA, but not yet come across anything that will unlock the actual Workbook/spreadsheet itself

(although this may be because I've had need for the former - "inherited" spreadsheets created by workers who have left - but never any need for the latter!)

vitesse · 22nd April 2013, 21:09

The secure programme on your Mac is called Keychain and accessible from applications then utilities.

All your remembered passwords are kept there and there's a secure note facility.

All will require a master password before displaying information.

Hope this helps

Gate Keeper · 23rd April 2013, 20:09

Thanks Mike for telling me about the key chain application. Word got out to another forum about my password problem and someone on that forum is a consultant for mac. He sent me almost the same info that you kindly have posted up, I will definitely look at key chain

el bandito · 23rd April 2013, 22:24

I use an Open Source program called TrueCrypt. http://www.truecrypt.org/

You can create an encrypted file which you mount as a hdd using a password.

Handy for encrypting your entire HDD as well... Assuming a decent password, will take considerable effort to get any data off should someone decide to take off with your laptop/computer.

vitesse · 24th April 2013, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Thanks Mike for telling me about the key chain application. Word got out to another forum about my password problem and someone on that forum is a consultant for mac. He sent me almost the same info that you kindly have posted up, I will definitely look at key chain

You're most welcome and thank you for the positive feedback. Always nice to know you've got it right.

Mike

22nd April 2013, 13:32	#1
Gate Keeper This is my second home 4X4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 20,125 Thanks: 8,286 Thanked 7,017 Times in 4,160 Posts	Passwords I have passwords for this and other forums, various email addresses and bank accounts. I keep all of them in my head and sometimes wished I had a record of them somewhere else. Is there a secure programme I can use on a Mac laptop or on an iPhone which will keep the passwords together safely and not be accessible by Tom, Rich, Harry or SWMBO Other ideas welcomed ? Please advise.

22nd April 2013, 14:35	#2
humphshumphs I really should get out more....... No longer a Rover Owner Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: As far east as you can go in the UK and not get wet feet. Posts: 2,273 Thanks: 404 Thanked 309 Times in 246 Posts	Pity you use a mac I've got a password vault program on my laptop and it's brilliant as you just need to remember 1 password (to get into it) and then it's got all the usernames/passwords etc listed. I seem to remember it cost me less than £10. Have a search online, I'm sure there is a Mac version. __________________ Richard. No longer a 75 owner as my tourer made it to the moon, and died on it's way back. But 1/4 million miles ain't bad.

22nd April 2013, 15:46	#3
uk_dave&gill This is my second home .. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Town Posts: 4,166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 189 Times in 105 Posts	I use a passworded Excel spreadsheet I know that you can find workarounds to unlock Excel Workbooks, but the chances of any actually getting the spreadsheet off my PC and then being bothered to hack it are tiny...... (I hope!) __________________ Dave

22nd April 2013, 16:03	#4
Gate Keeper This is my second home 4X4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 20,125 Thanks: 8,286 Thanked 7,017 Times in 4,160 Posts	Thanks for the information about the Vault and about using Excel. I will look into both of them. I understand the theory of computer hacking and will need to be careful. One password to unlock is appealing. Thanks for your help.

22nd April 2013, 16:36	#5
mpiekp Regular poster Rover 75 cdt club se Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Pontardawe Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If really paranoid, you could put all the passwords into a macro in excel, then lock that. The common excel password crackers do not work on locked vba.

22nd April 2013, 21:09	#7
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,556 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	The secure programme on your Mac is called Keychain and accessible from applications then utilities. All your remembered passwords are kept there and there's a secure note facility. All will require a master password before displaying information. Hope this helps

23rd April 2013, 20:09	#8
Gate Keeper This is my second home 4X4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 20,125 Thanks: 8,286 Thanked 7,017 Times in 4,160 Posts	Thanks Mike for telling me about the key chain application. Word got out to another forum about my password problem and someone on that forum is a consultant for mac. He sent me almost the same info that you kindly have posted up, I will definitely look at key chain

23rd April 2013, 22:24	#9
el bandito Regular poster MG ZT-T CDTi, Rover Mini Cooper 1.3 MPI Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I use an Open Source program called TrueCrypt. http://www.truecrypt.org/ You can create an encrypted file which you mount as a hdd using a password. Handy for encrypting your entire HDD as well... Assuming a decent password, will take considerable effort to get any data off should someone decide to take off with your laptop/computer.