passwords

Nothing strikes fear into our hearts like seeing one of our secret passwords, that we have guarded with our lives (well, maybe not so much), displayed in plain text. Even though you would be hard pressed to find anyone who approves of the practice, we find many websites that greet their new users with an email containing their super-secret password. As you open that email you almost feel betrayed. The password that you have worked so hard to protect is right there in front of your eyes.

Even if there is no significant security risk to transmitting passwords via plain … Read more

Organizing log-in information is a painless process with this easy-to-use password manager. Novices will especially appreciate its straightforward user interface. Password Dragon opens with an intuitive interface that isn't overwhelming.

Menu and toolbar items run across the top, and individual log-in information is displayed in the main window. To help users, the program activates only the buttons necessary for the task at hand to avoid any confusion. Click on the New File button to see the Add Record button, which then creates a new entry. The input fields are all self-explanatory, and there are no cumbersome slowdowns to entering … Read more

Password Prime's straightforward user interface is the perfect balance of simplicity and functionality. It proves that you don't need a lot of fancy buttons to get the job done.

Large, self-explanatory command buttons dominate the program's interface. There's a button for adding new username, password, and Web site information, a button for editing the entry, and a button for deleting the entry. You'll also find a series of buttons for copying the username and password information. We quickly jumped in without referring to the Help file and added our log-in information. One click took us … Read more

This useful solution for password control unites disparate log-ins under the protection of an unlock code, encryption, and an optional master password. Autofill, the gem in the password manager's crown, was unfortunately broken in this version, so those wondering why a major feature is missing have not gone crazy.

Until the next version is released in a few short days, you can continue to enter log-in information for each site URL, and use a new password display feature to remind yourself of the log-on directly from the log-in window on 1Password's internal browser. Other changes and additions now … Read more

The ultimate freeware encryption program, TrueCrypt is loaded with powerful features for anyone who is concerned with protecting their data from thievery.

It offers 11 algorithms for encrypting your private files in a password-protected volume, with full support for Snow Leopard. You can store your encrypted data in files (containers) or partitions (devices). TrueCrypt works hard to offer powerful data protection, recommending complex passwords, explaining the benefits of hidden volumes, and erasing telltale signs of the encryption process, including mouse movements and keystrokes. Though the interface may not be immediately intuitive, its powerful, on-the-fly, no-cost encryption still earns the freeware … Read more

Organizing login information is a painless process with this user-friendly password manager. Novices will especially appreciate its straightforward user interface.

Password Dragon opens with an intuitive interface that isn't overwhelming. Menu and toolbar items run across the top, and individual login information is displayed in the main window. To help users, the program activates only the buttons necessary for the task at hand to avoid any confusion. When we clicked on the New File button, we were directed to the Add Record button, which was then activated. The input fields are all self-explanatory, and we quickly entered account information, … Read more

Password Prime's straightforward user interface is the perfect balance of simplicity and functionality. It proves that you don't need a lot of fancy buttons to get the job done.

Large, self-explanatory command buttons dominate the program's interface. There's a button for adding new username, password, and Web site information; a button for editing the entry, and a button for deleting the entry. You'll also find a series of buttons for copying the username and password information. We quickly jumped in without referring to the Help file and added our log-in information. One click took us … Read more

Easily create passwords to your specifications with this password-generation tool. Password Miner's dialog interface is easy to master. Operating Password Miner is as easy as falling down. Enter a master password, a URL or keyword, and a username. Click a few options to set password length and type. Then press the generate button to get a unique password.

Where this app misleads is to claim the passwords are random. If so, they couldn't be recreated by entering the same master, user, and URL. What this program does is use an algorithm to make a password based on the … Read more

Desktop password manager LogOnce has released a new way for users of the iPhone and iPod Touch to skip having to enter usernames and passwords on sites that require them. You can log in to any site for which you've saved a password just by opening up a special bookmark that plugs in your log-in credentials for you.

There's no software to install and nothing to remember. You can also wipe out any access, just in case you manage to lose your phone, or it gets stolen.

It's devilishly simple, and it works, though the setup is … Read more