KeePass Password Safe is a Windows program that stores and encrypts a user’s passwords so that he does not have to face the hassle of remembering multiple passwords or the risk of using the same password on multiple accounts. With KeePass Password Safe, users only need to remember one password, which is heavily encrypted, to access the program. Within the program, they can create multiple folders and subfolders to help organize information, such as one for brokerage or bank accounts.

Although this is not a new concept, what sets KeePass apart from many of its competitors is the portable version of the program. Users can run the portable version from a USB flash drive, external hard drive or some other portable device on any computer without first needing to install anything. This makes it easy for users to keep their passwords with them at all times without relying on an online service to fend off hackers.

KeePass allows users to export their information to text, HTML, XML and Excel, while also allowing them to import from a variety of formats and databases. The program also allows for multiple users with their own passwords and has multi-language support.

Although the ability to create multiple folders and subfolders helps users organize and thus find what they need much faster, it does take time, depending on how many passwords they have. This makes KeePass’ searching, sorting and time field features exceptionally valuable for heavy users. Instead of going though folders for a particular password, users can now search with keywords or sort passwords by a specific category. With the time field feature, users will be able to see when the password was last accessed, when it was last modified, etc., so that they can be assured no one else has accessed or changed the password.

Given that KeePass Password Safe is a free program, there is no harm in trying the program and seeing if it appeals to you. Those who find the program exceptionally useful may consider giving a donation.

Dominik Reichl

Download the Desktop Version

Download the Portable Version

System Requirements: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7/8 (all 32-bit and 64-bit), and Mono (Linux, Mac OS X, BSD, etc).

Size: 2.4 MB

Price: Free

Discussion

Tom Jones from TX posted over 13 years ago:

How do you verify that the first order of business is not to send unencryptable passwords to some cybercriminal? Published open source may be a requirement.

Tom Jones from TX posted over 13 years ago:

I stand corrected. I went to the website and the first thing they said is that they are open sourc.

David Wolf from PA posted over 13 years ago:

OK. I'm clueless. Does Open Source, and the requirement thereof, represent a danger for users of the software?

Tom Jones from TX posted over 13 years ago:

Open Source means that the user is free to examine the code that was used to construct the application. There is no way to hide "trap doors" or other secret connections that you don't want to exist. An alternative is to try to monitor outbound communication, but that may be very hard, akin to picking out a straw in a torrent of hay. Open Source is a good thing, and a pretty basic security requirement. The other problem is to prove that the application really was built from the source code provided.

Chandra from NC posted over 13 years ago:

I have been using Keepass at home & work for at least 5 years, and very happy with it. I keep looking for alternatives once in a while, but could not find anything that is free, and does a better job than Keepass. If you do not feel comfortable (like me) storing passwords on online platforms such as Lastpass, this is a much better option for local storage.

nordron from CO posted over 13 years ago:

I use an EXCEL file with a password to store my passwords that I generate with the random function. I don't see the need for a special program for something this simple.

Fred from Lake Okeechobee posted over 13 years ago:

I've used keepass for 3-5 years and love it. Previously I had moved from a TXT file to Excel. Keepass imported the Excel export CSV file without problem. It allows fine grain control of random passwords generated, e.g., number and allowed characters, etc. It has a multitude of bells and whistles that I now wonder how one lived without them. I also use the Android app on my smartphone. It can only read (not modify) the 2.x password data file. Previously I was going to a PC to change the password to something easy to type, entering it on my phone, then going back to my PC to restore the original random password. If you are remotely interested in keepass, download it and try it out to get a feel for it.

Leamon Lorance from IN posted over 13 years ago:

I tried downloading the portable version and got the message 'folder compressed is invalid or corrupt'. Any ideas? leamon

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