Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I have tried searching on this topic, but it throws up hundreds of messages which don't seem to be relevant at all. The question also involves form filling and login control.

I have been using RoboForm for *many* years, with no real issues. Then they released a new version... This version requires the setting of a master password, which (despite claims to the contrary!) has to be entered every time I want to access a login. Just to be even more of a pain, they want to control just how long/random this master password is... The reason for using the program is that I can't remember passwords, so this kinda defeats itself. I live alone, and if some stranger has access to my PC, I have a lot more to worry about than them figuring out my passwords! I could write it on a sticky note posted on the monitor, but doesn't that seem kind-of pointless?

I ignored their pleas to upgrade for a couple of years, but the old version doesn't run with Edge, and I am having issues with IE not being accepted for some sites. Now, remember that I have *hundreds* of sites/logins stored in this thing.

I decided to bite the bullet, and upgrade, despite my misgivings. So, I created a master password in the old version, and ran the upgrade. It prompts me for the master password, which I copy&paste into the field, to be told that it is not correct. I didn't mistype it, it was copied from the initial installation into the old program!

Tech support are being totally useless. I have been told to "sync it to another account", but I only have one account. I tried creating a new account, but when I give it my email address, it says that this is already in use... I ***** know it's in use, it's ME! When I sent a message about this, they said use *this* link to delete it, and then upgrade it on my computer... Is this not what I have been trying to do?

Despite the horrendous size of the task, I am considering changing to a new program. I have heard of LastPass, and LogMeIn, but have no knowledge of either of these. So, I decided to throw myself on the mercy of UHH and ask for recommendations.

Thank you for sticking with this long enough to read it. If you *didn't* then please don't send a reply saying I should replace my PC, or change to Nikon, or anything else irrelevant. There is a huge amount of knowledge on this site, but a ton of people who reply without reading the question first...

Thanks in advance...

jonjacobik Loc: Quincy, MA

Dashlane works. The free version is pretty good. The paid version will sync between multiple computers is pretty dog gone reasonable.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

Dashlane also works fine for me and has none of the problems you raise either. I use the paid version which I think is well worth the money, being able to sync across devices. It has never let me down.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

I switched from SplashID to 1Password (currently on version 7) a couple of years ago, and while it requires a master password you are allowed to set that. Also, FWIW, it syncs to other versions of itself you might have on tablets or smart phones. It will generate passwords (you decide length and complexity) if you like and those (essentially non-rememberable, if that’s a word) will sync to your other devices so you can copy/paste them into a website when needed.

It might be worth looking into.

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

All Macs have Apple Keychain builtin that works like a charm. The newer machines also have touch sensors so you can log in with your finger touch. Not sure but think Windows may offer similar functionality. And there should be a way to export your passwords for use in a new app.

SonyBug

Norton Identity Safe works for me. I have over 300 passwords stored in it. Now, it does have a master password, but that seems to me to be good.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I use the upgraded RoboForm. It does not require entering the master password every time you access a login. But I think that if a certain period of time has elapsed since your last login, then it will require the master password. I, too, find that a pain in the ass. I suggest that you come up with a phrase that you can remember and substitute numbers for some letters like "i" or "o" and stick in a symbol somewhere. I have no problem in remembering such a phrase.

If you can still access your RoboForm passwords (it sounds as though you can't?) you can export them in a CSV form and import them to 1Password. If you have to get new passwords for every one of your hundreds of logins, I feel sorry for you.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I use the Microsoft Works data base to record my passwords which I print. When I have too many notes on the paper, I update the record and prrint the update. I have two pages of passwords - some years old and no longer in use; like pictures - never throw one away.
Decided a long time a go that I had no faith in password managers, partly because of the experience you are describing and concerns about hacking. I also use the data base to maintain a record of my photographic equipment. Yes, they are a pain to set up. that is enter the data, but once done there is very little maintenance.

alexol

Long term Roboform user here with no intention of changing as I don't want my passwords anywhere but on my local machine , i.e. not shared with other devices via some clouds server.

Two possible solutions here for you:

First, buy an external fingerprint scanner. A good safe reliable one is not inexpensive but is well worth it. You can use it to log into Windows itself for example.

Second - for the master password, you can use the finger print scanner but in any case don't use a typical password, use a pass phrase. This has the benefit of being easily memorable and you can leave clues for yourself out in the open that anyone can see but only you will understand.

For example, clues (taped on the side of the monitor if necessary!) could be "aniMal on the table" = horSe (we have a small statue of a horse on a table) and the capital M in aniMal reminds me the fourth letter is a cap. Next clue is "which finger scar" & the answer (in my case) is index, and finally "add a couple of stars!" Which is two asterisks and an exclamation point.

The clue taped somewhere reads:

aniMal on the table + which finger scar now add a couple of stars!.

Nonsense to anyone else, "hoRseindex**!" to you.

This is a very simple and not very good example but I'm sure you get the drift.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I'm a happy "1Password" user. The "vault" of passwords, software lic#s, etc. is in my Dropbox. Thus, I can access passwords from my computer, iPhone, iPad, etc. Very easy, handy & secure.

CaptainBobBrown

I've used Dashlane on my iMac for the last several years with no real problems and finally decided to buy the Premier upgrade for $60/year so I could use it on a new iPad Air. Problem so far is that while it continues to work well on the iMac it doesn't recognize many of the login dialogues for websites I use via Chrome browser (nor Firefox nor Safari) on the iPad so I have to copy the password from the Dashlane vault into the iPad's clipboard and thence into the password edit box of the desired login dialog. So far Dashlane's Technical Support has suggested several remedies but none have worked so my preliminary conclusion is that Dashlane while a good password manager for browsers running under Mac OS is good it hasn't made the grade yet on iPad. Haven't tried it yet on my iPhone.

I have tried Lastpass on the iPad but same problems as with Dashlane. Has anyone out there found a password manager which works equally well on Mac's, iPads and iPhones?

David Taylor

125th at f8.

alexol

That's how I prefer to share my passwords, except I keep them in a secured container using Veracrypt, since DropBox has been hacked a couple of times.

BTW, if you have a desktop and laptop, or just two Windoze computers in different places and want to keep the desktops 100% synced - same icons, same links etc - DropBox is good for that too.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I use a standard password that is based on personal data known only to me. I keep a Note in which I list all organizations which the password accesses. Password hackers base their hack on byte values not what the byte represents. There is an ASCII byte table in hexadecimal that defines what each byte stands for. The table has 16 columns and 16 rows: all labeled by 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I think these hacks were local computer attacks, not to stored vaults. Another reason to always use anti-malware tools.