How to securely protect your information
Today, you have to remember many passwords. You need a password for a lot of websites, your e-mail account, your webserver, network logins, etc. The list is endless. Also, you should use a different password for each account, because if you would use only one password everywhere and someone gets this password, you would have a problem: the thief would have access to all of your accounts.
KeePass is a free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can store all your passwords in one database, which is locked with a master key. So you only have to remember one single master key to unlock the whole database. Database files are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES-256, ChaCha20 and Twofish).
Source – KeePass website
How to download and create a KeePass file
If not already downloaded on your computer please download KeePass here.
– Once downloaded, open the program and the following window will display.
– After that window loads, select “File” in the upper left hand corner and select “Create a new database”. After selecting “Create a new database” the following window will open.
– Select the check mark next to “Master Password” and create a password.
NOTE: It is recommended to use a phrase that you will remember, the longer the better. When creating that password use letters, numbers and symbols to create a strong password.
– Now that you have created your database file you can start saving your usernames and passwords.
How to save Usernames and Passwords
Now that you’ve set up your KeePass its important to learn how to use it. This page will walk you through how to save a user name and password in KeePass.
– From the KeePass app, you have several options of where to save the username and password. Depending on what the user name and password is for you can save it in a specific location on the left so you know what that username and password is for.
– After determining which location you would like to save that user name and password in, select the location and click the “Add entry” button in the upper section of the box (Looks like a key with a green arrow pointing down).
-After selecting add entry the following screen will display. You will need to enter the title, user name, password and the URL of the web site. You can also add notes to the account as well. After completing the form select OK and the information will save in KeePass.
– After selecting OK you will be loaded back into the main screen of KeePass and you will see the new entry your created. To access the information for that file you can double click and it will load into the above screen and you can adjust the information.
NOTE: After getting back to the main screen make sure you click the
“Save” icon to save the information you just created.
How to use saved information in KeePass
Its important to understand and learn how to use KeePass. There is a lot more available to you in the program than what is shown here. This is the basic information you will need to access the websites and usernames and passwords you save here. Remember that keeping your information safe is important to prevent threat actors from attacking you on the internet.
– In order to access the web site that is saved on KeePass at you need to right click the file you want to access and highlight “URL(s), select “Open” and the will be brought to that page.
– To input your username and password at the website, click into the user name box, go back to KeePass and right click the file again. Scroll down to “Perform auto type” and click. After clicking that selection KeePass will automatically input the username and password into the correct boxes and log you into that website.
NOTE: You can also copy the user name and password from KeePass by selecting the “Copy” links
