Keeper 5.0

Most password managers start as desktop applications, with mobile versions added as the product evolves. Keeper 5.0 ($9.95 per device per year) turns that model on its head. Keeper for iOS and Android came out last year, while its PC-based version wasn't fully finalized until recently. Keeper's password capture and replay process isn't as fully automated as some of its competitors, but by involving the user in the process it handles login scenarios that baffle the competition.

Keeper runs on a wider variety of platforms than most. You can install its desktop application for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux, or install its browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Sorry, Internet Explorer fans, there's no extension for IE.

Pricing and Syncing Options
You can download and install Keeper on any one device for free, and the free edition will manage as many passwords as you like. Its encrypted password storage will remain totally local, which also means you won't be able to log into your passwords from another device. It's also possible to create a Keeper account and use it strictly through the Web application, also free.

However, paying the $9.95 per year subscription for one device opens up quite a few options. You can back up your encrypted credentials to the cloud, for starters, and you can sync between devices. A paid Keeper subscription lets you share credentials with other users, and also qualifies you for 24/7 live support.

You can, of course, add paid subscriptions for all of your devices. However, my Keeper contacts explain that many users pay for one subscription and then use the Web app on other PCs and tablets. At $9.95 per year, a one-device Keeper subscription costs less than LastPass 2.0 Premium ($12 per year) or Dashlane 2.0 ($19.95 per year).

Security Choices
Those looking for maximum security may choose to use Keeper on a single device, without syncing. It's worth noting, though, that Keeper encrypts your data before syncing it to the cloud. Your password isn't stored anywhere, so if you forget it, you'll have to start over. By the same token, the people at Keeper can't be legally compelled to turn over your passwords.

LastPass always keeps your encrypted data on its secure servers. Dashlane gives you the choice of syncing or not. RoboForm Desktop 7 is strictly local, while RoboForm Everywhere 7 will sync across multiple devices.

Keeper's unusual Wi-Fi Sync option lets you sync multiple devices while keeping your data within the local network. With this sync option enabled, your devices can all sync with each other when connected to your own network. Changes made on a device that's away from the network won't be passed along until that device returns, naturally.

As with all password managers, Keeper requires a strong master password that protects all of your other passwords. Unlike LastPass and Dashlane, it doesn't enforce strong password rules, doesn't rate your master password as you type, and doesn't include an actionable security report on the strength of your saved passwords.

By default Keeper logs off after 30 seconds, requiring re-entry of the master password to continue. If you step away from your desk it will probably lock down before your nosy officemate tries for a peek. You can raise the idle-time cut off as high as 10 minutes, but you can't turn it off. That seems like a fine feature to me.

In addition, Keeper can self-destruct after five wrong password attempts. If someone has stolen your laptop, they're not likely to guess the password in five tries. You made it strong, right? Self-destruct here means that it will wipe out the local encrypted copy of your password data. If you recover the computer you can restore the data from a cloud backup.

It's possible you might switch from Keeper to some other password manager. If you do, you'll probably want to erase all of your data from cloud storage. A click of a button (and a confirmation) will do just that.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/JvuNdmEd6os/0,2817,2420942,00.asp

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