Description

KeePass(X) is a tool to store and manage passwords. It is freely available for

• MacOS/Windows - KeePass: https://keepass.info/.

• Linux (reduced version) - KeePassX: http://www.keepassx.org/.

• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android_nonet

• iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minikeepass-secure-password/id451661808?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

The following describes 'KeePassX' - the installed version at the thinlinc terminals.

How !KeePassX works

• !KeePassX can create/open/edit/save password-databases.
• A password-database is basically an encrypted file, where you can store your various usernames/passwords/URLs and also attachments like pictures or other important / private documents.
• A password-database can only be opened if you know the Master-Password. The Master Password is the key to all your stored passwords.
• If you forgot your Master-Password, you cannot access your stored passwords anymore.
• Encryption- either the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or the Twofish algorithm are used for encryption of the database in 256 bit sized increments

• All features: http://www.keepassx.org/features/

Using !KeePassX

• Start !KeePassX:

  • Ubuntu / Thinlinc: Applications > Accessoires > !KeePassX

  • command line: keepassx
• You can use the same password database on different computers if they have !KeePassX installed.
• when opening !KeePassX with a database, you will be asked for the master password of the file.
• when a password database is open, !KeePassX "locks itself" after a certain amount of time. After that you have to unlock the file again with your master password.

• you can hide/view usernames and passwords by clicking on "View" --> "Hide Usernames" and "View" --> "Hide Passwords"

• you can right-click on an entry and choose "Copy Username to Clipboard" or "Copy Password to Clipboard". You can then paste the password. After a few seconds, the password is no longer stored in the Clipboard.

Creating a Password Database

• Click on "File" --> "New Database..."

• you will be prompted to set a master key. Input your master password (the master password for all your other stored passwords). Then click "OK"
• repeat your master password. click "OK".
• chose a group. (Standard choices are Internet of eMail. You can also create your own groups).

• click on "Entries" --> "Add New Entry..."

• Input the information you need
  • Title: a short description of the entry
  • Username: your username
  • URL: on what homepage do you need the password
  • Password: your password
  • Repeat: repeat your password
  • Comment: a longer description of the entry

• click on "File" --> "Save Database"

• chose a location and a name for your password database. click "OK"

Best practice to sync

• Only use a cloud service if you need to sync your passwords over several devices.
• Decide by your own:
  • Pro 'cloud':
    • on all devices the same password.
    • creates automatically backups.
  • Contra 'cloud':
    • If your cloud access is compromised or the cloud service provider is compromised: the thief owns the treasure.

• US based cloud provider like Google Drive, Dropbox, Apple iDrive, Microsoft OneDrive:

  • Those services are very attractive to hacker.
  • The NSA has the right to get all data from US companies. After Snowden it's for sure the NSA is not friendly.

  • Rule of thumb: Don't use US hosted / company based services for confidential data.

• Non US based cloud provider: Switch Highschool cloud service - switchdrive

  • http://drive.switch.ch.

  • Swiss data protection laws.
• How to:

  • On all computers where you want to sync your KeePass database file, install and configure 'switchdrive'.

  • Open the KeePass database file on all of your devices directly from switchdrive folder.