password manager
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Google Chrome will warn you if your logins have been stolen
Google is adding several new features to Chrome to keep you safe while browsing online. To start, the next time you try to login into a website, Chrome will warn you if your username and password were compromised in a data breach. It will also suggest you change any passwords you've reused.
1Password's corporate tool can enforce two-factor use company-wide
1Password can do more than just create and store passwords for business customers with more elaborate security needs than ordinary users. Now, it's adding and expanding its set of tools for enterprise subscribers with a new suite called 1Password Advanced Protection. The new tools include a security control option to enforce company-wide two-factor authentication, allowing employees to choose between physical security keys like Yubikey and authenticator apps like Duo.
LastPass patched a bug that could have exposed your passwords
If you use LastPass to manage your passwords, now would be a good time to make sure you're running the latest version, 4.33.0. As Gizmodo reports, LastPass recently patched a bug that could have been used to compromise users' security credentials. The patch should have arrived automatically, but as a precaution, it's worth making sure you're running the September 12th update.
Firefox Lockbox provides access to your passwords on Android
Mozilla's Firefox Lockbox has been helping iOS users keep tabs on their many passwords for a while, and now it's making that tool available on Android. Like its iOS counterpart, the app helps you fetch any password you already have stored in Firefox (and thus synced across your devices). It's not a traditional manager, then -- this is more for ensuring that you can sign into a streaming service on a friend's TV.
1Password now offers an individual subscription service
If you need a little help organizing and keeping your passwords safe, you might consider using 1Password, which has introduced a new individual subscription service. What's more, if you go ahead and sign up now, you get your first six months for free.
LastPass goes native on Mac for password management
LastPass has finally expanded from your browser and your iOS device onto your desktop with its new native app in the Mac App Store. The app brings all of the power of the mobile app to your computer, from password storage to form-filling and secure note sending. If you have already been using the LastPass browser plugins, the presence of a native, offline-capable Mac app provides some parity with the "big kahuna" password manager on the platform, the popular 1Password. By connecting with your LastPass account, the app allows you to seamlessly share data and passwords between all your computers and browsers; while iCloud Keychain does a fine job between OS X and iOS for Safari, it certainly won't play nicely with browsers like Chrome or Firefox, or Android and Windows devices. LastPass, by contrast, is enthusiastically cross-platform, with editions for Internet Explorer on Windows, browsers on Linux, the Opera browser and even the Blackberry. It's also popular with enterprise IT departments, where it's possible to administer the app centrally and enforce baseline security requirements. The Mac app for LastPass includes some special features, like a security challenge tool and a password generator to help you come up with a secure and obscure password (thereby avoiding the shame and general ridicule of seeing your password on a very special list). It allows you to add new passwords and sites to your account quickly and easily. Like the browser plugins, the Mac app syncs with the contents of your online password vault, so you can easily access your key security information wherever you are. The app doesn't charge you for installation, but for $11.99 per year the Premium subscription to LastPass includes unlimited mobile access (with offline caching), family folders for shared logins, and multifactor authentication options. Setting up a LastPass account is easy and free.
Dashlane offers single-click option to change passwords at more than 50 websites
Dashlane today announced the acquisition of PassoMatic and its automatic password changer technology. As part of this merger, Dashlane also is releasing a beta version of its app that integrates this password technology. According to Dashlane, its beta Password Changers allows a user to change their passwords at multiple sites with just a click. each password is unique and meets conventional length and character recommendations for adequate password strength. The service supports up to 50 websites including Amazon, eBay, Facebook and more. The new Dashlane beta is available on the Mac and PC with a mobile version planned for the future. Also planned for future versions is a rotating password changer that automatically updates and stores new passwords on a regular basis. Interested users can sign up for beta access on Dashlane's website.
Feedback Loop: Amazon's new phone, trust issues with password managers and more!
Do you need a break from watching the World Cup? Good! Because the latest Feedback Loop is right here. Amazon released a new phone this week and we discuss if it meets our expectations; we speculate on what makes password-management apps trustworthy; Kris shares her thoughts on a new startup that aims to disrupt coin machines; we share our favorite browser extensions that protect our most personal data; and we get ridiculously excited about Twitter's support for animated GIFs. You can find all that and more below!
Apple unveils Keychain for iCloud, confirms 300 million iCloud accounts
Apple today at WWDC announced some changes to iCloud, including a new iWork for iCloud and a keychain feature that'll sync your logins across all your iOS devices. The keychain is a cloud-connected password manager that ties into Safari on the desktop and Safari on the iPad and iPhone. It'll save passwords as well as credit card information and more. Tim Cook also confirmed that iCloud now has 300 million accounts, making it the fastest-growing cloud service ever (even faster than Facebook). More than 300 million iOS owners use iTunes in the cloud and these folks have downloaded their content 35 billion times. Cook also confirmed that 240 million users are on Game Center and blew us away with stats on iMessages that confirm the service has transferred 800 billion iMessages and sent 740 trillion push notifications.
The Daily Grind: How do you keep track of your passwords?
It's a hazard of the job that we accumulate scores of passwords while writing at Massively. It makes sense: Every new MMO tried means a new account, and because I'm not stupid, a new password. Unfortunately, the numbers began to pile up on me and I began to realize that there was no way I was going to remember all of these for when I'd go back to a game months after the fact. My old system used a common theme (say, names of Pokemon) that allowed for different passwords while giving me a chance at guessing them if I forgot. My new system is a $0.99 notebook that I desperately hope my kids don't discover and chew up. It's a slight improvement but not perfect. So I'm curious: How do you keep track of your passwords? Do you memorize them, write them down in a notebook, have a text file on your computer, or use a password manager program? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Norton introduces a password manager, Identity Safe (updated)
Norton, better known for its antivirus software, is attempting to take on AgileBits' 1Password with the release of Identity Safe, a password manager for the Mac. Like 1Password, it takes over the task of remembering passwords and generating new ones, keeping the information stored in the cloud. Norton is trying to lure in new customers by offering Identity Safe for free until October 1. There are versions of Identity Safe available for Mac and iOS. However, unlike 1Password which stands on its own, the iOS app is dependent on having the Mac version of Identity Safe installed. A review for the iOS app has criticized Norton for not making Identity Safe compatible with other Norton software that has password security built in. Update: Despite advertising that a Mac version of Identity Safe is available, including links on Norton's site, the download link states that Mac OS is not supported at this time ... even though it's required to utilize the iOS version of Identity Safe. Update (4/24): Norton has informed TUAW that the Mac version of Identity Safe is now available for download.
Gobble up this deal on 1Password Pro touch
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Agile Web Solutions is giving thanks to its customers this week in the form of a free iPhone app. Previously $7.99, 1Password Pro touch [iTunes link] is completely free until December 1st. Whether or not you use the excellent Mac edition of this app, which was recently updated to version 3.0, 1Password touch is a great addition to your iPod touch or iPhone. Essentially a password manager, this app stores login usernames and passwords, wallet information like credit card numbers, software license keys, and secured notes behind one or two levels of protection (depending on how sensitive you deem the data). With cut and paste functionality, as well as a built-in web browser, it's a great way to simplify logging into password-protected sites or even making online purchases. Of course, to get the most out of the mobile version, a copy running on your Mac is a must. With it, you'll be able to sync your information between the devices. The standard app is great and all, but since both versions are free for the time being, you might as well grab the Pro. Extra features include folders for better organization, the ability to copy multiple fields to paste elsewhere, and a unique switching mode to quickly copy and past info into Mobile Safari. In addition, there are some Pro-only features on the way including MobileMe and WebDAV syncing (I can't wait for that!), and Favorites. If you already have the regular touch edition, make sure to back up your data before removing the old app and upgrading to the Pro version. Those with the Mac application can rely on Wi-Fi syncing to ensure the latest info is on the computer, however Agile has instructions on its site for those without. Once you've removed the standard 1Password touch and installed Pro, you can restore the data.
SplashID for iPhone gets some update love
SplashData, Inc. has announced a major update to SplashID for iPhone and iPod touch. SplashID, which first shipped in July, is a secure information manager application that has been available on other handheld platforms for years. Version 4.5 is up to 2 times faster for power users who have a number of records in their SplashID databases. Other enhancements include: Enhanced user interface with simplified navigation Improved search and look-up functions Landscape view Number pad login New browser window to make log-in to websites on the iPhone easier Updated Mac and PC desktop software The update is free to users of the US$9.95 application (available in the App Store -- click opens iTunes). For those who want to sync their iPhone SplashID database with their Macs or PCs, the newly refreshed desktop software is available for $19.95 from the SplashData Web site.A full review of SplashID 4.5 is coming soon to a TUAW blog near you. In the meantime, what's your favorite secure information manager for non-jailbroken iPhones? Leave a comment below.
1Passwd 2.1, build #3744 gets new icon, NetNewsWire support
1Passwd, our favorite Tiger-only web form filler and password manager, was updated yesterday to version 2.1 build 3744. It sports a shiny new icon and now supports NetNewsWire! Also in this release are over 20 other improvements and bug fixes, along with the following new features: Added 'Find and Delete Duplicates' do locate web forms that have identical contents. Added NetNewsWire extension (using context menu instead of toolbar). Added dynamic toolbar buttons to all supported browsers. Web forms now can be dragged to web browser to create bookmarks. 1Passwd keychain will be automatically backed-up daily to a local folder. Added Autosave Rules to disable autosave on user-defined domains. Added 1Passwd context menu to Safari, Camino, DEVONagent, and OmniWeb. Complete details are available on the 1Passwd blog and you can download a copy on the main site. Upgrades are free for registered users, and there's a free trial if you need it. New registration will cost you $29.95.
1Passwd 2.0 available, free update for current users
My favorite password and form manager, 1Passwd from Agile Web Solutions, has been given a nice update from version 1.5 to version 2.0. As a registered user I appreciate that there's no charge for this update, even though it's a major update and not a minor tweak. The authors have even stated there won't be a charge for the Leopard-compatible update when the time comes, thanks in part to the support they've received from sites like MacUpdate, VersionTracker and iUseThis. The free major upgrades are their way of saying "Thanks" to the community that has helped them build and improve their app. 1Passwd is a password manager and form-filler for Mac OS X that allows multiple identities, generates strong passwords, integrates with the OS X Keychain and most browsers (Safari, Firefox, Camino, Shiira, Flock and now OmniWeb and DevonAgent), and also integrates with .Mac so you can sync your passwords and forms across multiple systems. It's like the OS X keychain on steroids and with an emphasis on web forms and better integration. I've been using it for a few months now and I've come to rely on it heavily. Version 2's most notable feature addition is the new Secure Notes feature - which I don't have too much use for personally, but it's nice to know it's there! Additional features include: Added 1Passwd extension for DEVONagent 2.0.3. Added 1Passwd extension for OmniWeb 5.5. Added Import of RoboForm Safenotes. Updated About window to include code attribution and hide registration info by default. Fixed UTF8 encoding problems in Firefox extension. Fixed problem emptying the Trash with Identity records. There are also several changes to the user interface, including a trash can for deleted entries in case you change your mind or delete the wrong entry by mistake. There are even more features coming in future 2.x updates, but the developers felt it was important to push these features out the door now so that OmniWeb and DevonAgent users could enjoy 1Passwd rather than make everyone wait a few more weeks for the kitchen sink. You can read more about the new features planned on their blog.There's a free version which is fully functional but limits the number of saved forms and identities to saved forms and identities to 12 and 1, respectively. The registered version costs $29.99 or $39.99 for a family license (up to 3 users in the same household) and there's a 30-day, 100% refund guarantee. Go ahead and give it a try - you really have nothing to lose!
