Description

KeePassX is a tool to store and manage passwords. It is freely available for Linux/MacOS/Windows from http://www.keepassx.org/.

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.
• 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 / Sun Ray: Applications > Accessoires > KeePassX

  • command line: keepassx
  • Windows: Start Menu
• 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"