RoboForm Online secures personal data in 'cloud'
Someone told me recently that they had 22 different log-in IDs. My first thought was, you must get out more. My second thought was, how do you remember 22 different Web services, let alone log-in IDs and passwords?
The answer, of course, is a password manager. These days, I see PC security as a form of insurance. The more you have to risk, the more you should spend to protect it. Anyone who banks or otherwise transacts online will find the investment in a password and personal-data manager worthwhile. Fortunately, if your password-management needs are meager, the protection doesn't have to cost you anything.
Siber Systems recently announced the beta version of RoboForm Online that lets RoboForm users store their log-in data securely online. Just log into the service from any browser and get fast access to the IDs you've saved on your PC. With just one you're logged into your favorite Web sites.
Log into the RoboForm Online service to access your favorite Web services with a single click.
(Credit: Siber Systems)The first time you use the program, you're prompted to enter a master password. You can change the master password via the program's Options drop-down menu and selecting Security settings, but if you forget a master password, you have to delete all the password-protected files and start over.
RoboForm prompts you to enter a master password the first time you start the program.
(Credit: Siber Systems)There's no end to the amount of personal data you can store in RoboForm. Along with the standard contact information, you can enter your Social Security number, credit-card and bank-account numbers, and employer information. You can even create custom fields. All the information is protected with industrial-strength encryption.
Enter as much or as little personal information in RoboForm's form fields as you like.
(Credit: Siber Systems)When you register for the online version of the service, you're prompted to download the free GoodSync synchronization program. You have to use a different password than the one you use to access your data via the desktop version of the program. To sync passwords among multiple PCs, simply log in from each machine.
RoboForm will generate strong passwords for you. It works with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and just about any other browser. The program is available for free, but some features are disabled after 30 days unless you pay $30. There's even a portable version that runs off a USB thumbdrive. But the new online version appeals to me. If your data is going into the cloud, it might as well be encrypted.
Dennis O'Reilly has covered PCs and other technologies in print and online since 1985. Along with more than a decade as editor for Ziff-Davis's Computer Select, Dennis edited PC World's award-winning Here's How section for more than seven years. He is a member of the CNET blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. 
Once Foxmarks switched to Xmarks, I had to pull out - not only were they managing thousands upon thousands of passwords for free, they started showing little tidbits about other peoples' bookmarking behavior on Google results. The Foxmarks privacy policy stated that they wouldn't do that, but since the program was switched to Xmarks and a new privacy policy was issued, they could.
Time will only tell if the passwords themselves are used for "research" purposes or otherwise.
On that note, the words "secure" and "personal data" do not mix with "internet", especially "cloud" in my book.
Why use 200 different passwords you ask? Besides having strong computer generated passwords, the advantage of using a unique password for each account is that if one of the sites has weak security or if you get phished, the bad guys will not be able to break into your other accounts.
When the online version of Roboform showed up, I have to say I've been skeptical - because that removes the hardware lock part of the equation - now someone would just have to hack Roboform's servers and I lose all my passwords. I'm sticking to the original and not using the cloud version. Seems to me that goes in the direction of Windows Live IDs which i don't really like because lots of different places are unlocked by a single password. Anyway, just my 2c.
Love it. Once you start using it, you'll never go back to the olds ways.
i'd not even want to imagin this ,
for me , the only safe place for my password is my mind ..and i have over 20 emails , 3 webservers and a registerd member in many web sites, each email,server,site got its unique ID and Pass ..
you guys stop drinking alcohol and stop masturbating and your memory should get better .
I now use LastPass which is free unless you opt for the premium service($12). The $12 basically buys you more rapid customer service. I have never had to use their customer service as the program has worked flawlessly for me. I love it and it beats Roboform hands down.
IMHO Passpack is one of the most innovative and copied web apps.
"Siber Systems reported a security breach in their Roboform Beta program this morning. The entire world's passwords have been posted on Pirate's Bay. It's been a virtual free-for-all as numerous on-line banking programs and financial institutions report massive online fraud..."
- by fletchb November 5, 2009 11:53 AM PST
- Well I got it to work with lots of manual help. I am going to change over from a U3 to standard USB key as it sure looks like the U3 was a big part of the problem. If anyone else has these issues with u3, contact robo (syber systems) and they can tell you how to convert your robo so it will work on a standard usb key drive.
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