Windows is getting better and better, but Microsoft apparently has little desire to build certain essential features into the system. In Windows 11, for example, there is still no password manager. But this can be retrofitted quickly thanks to the free KeePass tool.
The greatest risk for users on the Internet? Sure, passwords. Almost everyone now has countless online accounts and thus countless passwords. So it is easy either to use passwords twice or to use the simplest possible ones. Both strategies involve a high level of risk. It is better to give each user account its own very secure password. But this requires a memory aid.
Of course, you can also trust your browser with passwords, but we recommend a different approach. Password managers like KeePass pack passwords in an encrypted file and seal access with a master password. All you have to do is remember a strong password yourself, and the password manager will do the rest. The big advantage: You can use your own, very secure password for each service.
In contrast to other password managers, with the open source tool KeePass you do not upload your passwords to third-party servers. This means that you are the only person in control of your passwords. Now the tool has an update on Version 2.50 receive. The most important changes at a glance:
- AES-KDF now twice as fast under Windows
- better recognition when importing from browsers such as Vivaldi, Brave or Pale Moon
- Import from Kaspersky Password Manager is now possible
- when importing from Bitwarden, sub-folders are now correctly recognized
The extensive changelog with all improvements can be found on the manufacturer’s website.
KeePass: manage passwords conveniently Keep track of things: Password managers sort user accounts into different categories.
Install KeePass 2 and create a new password database when you start it for the first time. The program gives you various categories such as Internet, e-mail or home banking. But you can also create your own groups, such as work or streaming, and sort passwords appropriately. When you create a new user account for a service, you also create a new entry in KeePass 2 at the same time.
Have secure passwords generated Have passwords generated: KeePass generates secure passwords on request.
But don’t start feeding the password manager with “123abc” or “test456”. Make sure to use the built-in password generator. It is guaranteed to generate secure passwords and KeePass will remember them for you. For example, you can set a 25-digit password for your e-mail account, including special characters, digits and upper and lower case letters.
Use passwords quickly Fast access: You can quickly retrieve passwords from the database using copy and paste.
In practice, however, it doesn’t make sense to type in giant passwords. To log into a service quickly, navigate to the appropriate entry in KeePass and select “Copy Password” from the context menu or “Copy password” when using the German language file (see below). The password then remains on the clipboard for a few seconds and you can copy it into the browser. You can also store login names in KeePass and copy them into the browser in the same way.
Retrofit a German interface German user interface: If you don’t like the English menu, you can change it using the language file.
If you have problems with the English interface, you can install a German language file and then easily change the language using the menu. To do this, copy the language file into the same folder as the KeePass EXE file.
Then restart the password manager and select “Change Language” via “View”. Then click on “German” and confirm the restart of KeePass.
KeePass beyond Windows KeePass everywhere: There are also suitable tools for KeePass databases for smartphones and Macs.
Another advantage of KeePass is that the databases can also be used outside of Windows. For example, you can use KeePassX on macOS, KeePassDroid on Android and KeePass Touch on iOS. So you have your passwords with you wherever you go. The use is similar outside of Windows: You unlock the password database with the master password in one step and you can then access your saved passwords.
There is only one thing to be aware of: guard the password database like the apple of your eye and always keep at least one backup of this file ready for use.
Secure passwords are mandatory
Is a Password Manager the Best Option? No, security gaps in the software, shot databases and your master password could be cracked. The best option would be if you could remember a separate complex password for each access. But that just doesn’t work in practice. Instead, two strategies dominate, either you deal with simple passwords or you have one or two really good ones and use them across different services. Both strategies involve a high level of risk. A password manager is the best option for most users.
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