As a well-established password management software, Keepass's biggest feature is its open-source nature. You don't have to worry about the security and compatibility of the software. It not only covers all platforms but also has numerous developers who have designed rich plugins to enhance its functionality. Especially when you combine it with cloud storage services like Nut Cloud or OneDrive, you can achieve multi-device password synchronization, which is extremely user-friendly for those who frequently forget their passwords.
About Download Versions:
It is strongly recommended to download the portable version because it can be directly accessed from the synchronized drive, eliminating the hassle of installation every time. Download link: Keepass official website.
Note: In addition to the Windows system installation package recommended by the official website, there are also versions available for MacOs, iOS, Android, Linux, web, and other common platforms. The plugin for the productivity tool Utools is still supported.
Instructions for Use:
There are many tutorials available online for using Keepass, and most of them include videos. The following content provides a simple description of its usage.
Changing the Language to English:
After completing the download and installation, click the "view" button in the menu bar, select "change language," and click "get more." It will automatically redirect you to the official website's language pack download page. Choose the Chinese Simplified version represented by the five-star red flag.
Unzip the downloaded language pack and place it in the specified folder. The folder address is: "view - change language - open folder" in the menu bar.
Reopen the "change language" option and select Chinese.
Creating a Database:
Simply select "file - new" (Ctrl+N). It is recommended to place the entire Keepass folder or the database that needs to be synchronized in the synchronized drive. Personally, I highly recommend Nut Cloud and OneDrive. I have used both methods. Nut Cloud has fast domestic access speed but limited traffic. It offers 1GB of upload traffic and 3GB of download traffic per month. On the other hand, OneDrive provides stable and large storage capacity. You can easily get 15GB of storage capacity on certain e-commerce platforms. It is recommended to use it solely as a synchronized drive, as the capacity is more than enough.
Set a password. This password is your main password, so make sure you are familiar with it. If you forget it, there is no way to recover it.
It is also recommended to set a key file, which can be any file. This provides an additional layer of security for users who use a single password for a long time and have a simple main password.
Password Generation:
In the left group panel, select the appropriate type and click "add entry" (Ctrl+I). Enter the required title, username, password, and website address. Note that the password option can be clicked to select from various types, increasing your security level.
The remarks section can be used to enter a nickname or add tags for easy indexing and future retrieval.
At the bottom, there is a reminder for expiration, reminding you to regularly change your password to improve the security of your software. For unimportant software, you can uncheck this option to avoid the awkward situation of expired passwords not being displayed on the homepage.
About Plugins:
The official website provides a detailed plugin directory for software enhancement. I won't go into much detail about specific usage scenarios, as there are detailed videos and articles available on platforms like Bilibili and Zhihu. Users can search for them as needed. The following plugins are my personal subjective recommendations. Please build them according to your own needs.
YetAnotherFaviconDownloader (able to download logos corresponding to website addresses, which is helpful for organizing and distinguishing them)
Cloud Synchronization:
The following content is based on the demonstration using OneDrive, but it is similar for other similar cloud storage services.
No specific settings are required. Simply select the entire folder, drag and drop it into any folder of your choice in OneDrive, and that's it. From then on, Keepass will automatically synchronize all your modifications without you having to worry about it.
Recommended Third-Party Compatible Software:
For Windows, without a doubt, the official portable version is the easiest to install.
For iOS, I used to use Strongbox, which cost 30 per year (if I remember correctly). Later, the price increased to 50. I switched to Keepassium, which is very user-friendly. It is even better than the paid Strongbox. It supports fingerprint and facial recognition unlocking, cloud import, and can be opened without much effort on your part.
For macOS, I have only used MacPass, and it works decently. It is not as smooth as the mobile version. The usual practice is to unlock it on the mobile device, copy the password, and paste it on the local network.
For Android, I have used KeepassDroid, Keepass2Android, and KeepassDX, but I haven't found one that suits my preferences. Maybe it's because I use Android less frequently, so I haven't explored them enough.
In summary, in this era where all websites, apps, and platforms are competing for your personal information and require registration to access limited functionality, password management is still necessary. At least it can prevent the situation where all your accounts are stolen or lost due to a simple operation. Even if my data is not valuable, it is still my personal privacy!