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How To Create Master Passwords using KeePass

Posted by Serges LaRiviere on Fri, Oct 12, 2012

I think we can all relate to the hassle passwords are causing us. The worst thing you can do is have one password for all of your accounts because if someone figures out that one password, guess what, he can access all of your accounts from e-mails to your banking info. But many of us do just that because it's to hard to remember a dozen or more passwords. I guess you could write them down on a slip of paper and stick them in your wallet but what if your wallet get's stolen, oh oh! Well there is a better way, KeePass software will enable you to manage as many passwords as you want using a single master Key! Here's an easy step by step guide on how it's done.

Downlod the Software

Install KeePass from http://keepass.info. In the box on the left hand side titled "Getting KeePass", click "downloads, on the right hand side of the Download screen click "Keepass 2.20.1 (Installer EXE for Windows), then in the pop-up box, click "Run and the installation will begin. A box will appear that will ask you to choose the language you want to use and from there KeePass Password Safe Setup Wizard will open.

 

Set Up KeePass

Make sure that all other apps are closed before you click on "Next". Click to accept the license agreement and KeePass will tell where it plans to store the software, either Click "Next" to approve the default destination or choose your own. Select "Full Installation" on the next screen, then click on "Next". Select all three options on the next screen so that you get a desktop and Quick Launch icon, then click "Install > Finish".

 

Create Master Passwords using KeePass

Choose a Master Password

The next option will ask you if you want to enable "Automatic UpDates", click "Enable" to keep everything running smoothly. When you enable automatic updates you are giving permission for KeePass to install updates and upgrades without continuously asking you for permission. KeePass will now open. Click "File > New", then click "Save" to create a new password database. In the next pop-up window is where you will be asked to supply a master keyword, this is what will open the database, enter you master keyword and click "OK".

 

Configure Settings

The next window you will see is the Database Settings window, in the "General" tab, give your database a name and add a description and color if you wish. It's best to leave everything else on the default setting and click "OK". The main window will come up where you will begin to build your database. On the right you'll see the actual password entries and on the left the entry groups.

Add an Entry

Now that everything is set up, it's time to store your first password in the KeePass database. Click the password entry icon (a wrench and and arrow) in the menu bar and choose "Add entry". In the New Entry window, enter a title, for example, Facebook, your username, an URL and the actual password, when your finished click "OK. Your new entry will now be in the password list.

 

Add Them All

Now if you can remember all of your passwords you can just repeat step 5 and enter them all into KeePass, from your social media and e-mail accounts to shopping and banking accounts. This may take some time but you only have to do it once so hang in there and get the job done. If you have written these passwords on paper make sure to shred them afterwords. Another great feature KeePass has is the Password Generator. This password generation method is the recommended way to generate random passwords. You let the Generator choose your password by checking off which options you want to use as character sets.

 

Organize Your Passwords.

Just having one long list of passwords would very likely be hard to sort through so KeePass gives you the option of organizing them. New entries are automatically stored under the "General" folder but you can use the other folders that are located underneath the main "General" folder to sort passwords. You can even create sub-folders if you wish by clicking on a category, then choosing "Add group" and giving the folder a name that will be useful to you.

Save It

Once all of your data is entered click on "File > Save as > Save to file", choose a file name and location to save it to. Click "Save". From now on when you update your database you can just press the "Save" icon which looks like a disc, you only need to specify a location once.

Making it Work

This is the cool part. The next time you want to visit a site that requires you to log in, open KeePass and use the search box at the top to find the entry. Click on the entry and you will see the URL at the bottom of the screen, click it and the site will open in a new window. In KeePass right -click your entry and select "Perform auto-type" and KeePass will now enter your username and password for you!

Sign Out

When you've finished your on-line session, sign out of KeePass by clicking "File > Exit" to protect all of your account names and passwords. Of course don't ever disclose your KeePass password to anyone else, no idea who would do a dumb thing like that but we thought it is worth mentioning.

That's it, you're now set up on KeePass, all of your passwords stored in one secure location, only one password for you to remember and no more little bits of paper to keep track of or trying to remember where you stored your passwords on your computer.

 

If you would like any information on using KeePass please contact us by clicking below.

                                                        

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Tags: KeePass, master passwords, passwords, Security