As a long-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 sync cloud storage services like Nut Cloud or OneDrive, you can achieve multi-device password synchronization, which is extremely user-friendly for those who often forget their passwords.
About downloading versions:
It is strongly recommended to download the Portable version because it can be directly accessed from the sync drive without the hassle of installation. The download address is available on the keepass official website.
Note: In addition to the Windows system installation package recommended on 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 can be found in video format. 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 sync drive. Personally, I highly recommend Nut Cloud and OneDrive. I have used both methods. Nut Cloud has fast domestic access speed but limited traffic (1GB upload and 3GB download per month), while OneDrive offers stable and large storage capacity (15GB can be easily obtained). It can be used solely as a sync drive and is more than sufficient.
Set a password. This password is your main password, so make sure you are familiar with it. If you forget it, you won't be able 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:
Select the appropriate type in the left group column, click "add entry" (Ctrl+I), and enter the required title, username, password, and website address. It is important to note that the password field can be clicked to select different types, thereby increasing your security level.
The notes section can be used to enter a brief nickname for the record or add tags to facilitate future searching and indexing.
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. Specific usage scenarios are not extensively covered here, as there are detailed videos and articles available on platforms such as Bilibili and Zhihu. Users can search for them as needed. The following plugins are subjective recommendations and should be built according to individual needs.
YetAnotherFaviconDownloader (able to download logos corresponding to website addresses, which is helpful for organization and differentiation)
Syncing with cloud storage:
The following content is based on OneDrive for practical demonstration, 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 sync 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 previously used Strongbox, which cost 30 per year (apparently). Later, the price increased to 50. I switched to keepassium, which is very user-friendly and even better than the paid Strongbox. It supports fingerprint and facial recognition unlocking, cloud import, and can be opened without much manual effort.
For macOS, I have only used MacPass, which works decently. It is not as smooth as the mobile version. The usual method is to unlock on the mobile device, copy, and paste on the local network.
For Android, I have used keepassdroid, keepass2android, and keepassdx, but I haven't found one that suits my preferences. Perhaps it's because I use Android less frequently and haven't explored enough.
In summary, in this era where websites, apps, and platforms are all competing for your personal information and require various registrations to access limited functionality, password management is still necessary. At the very least, it prevents the situation where all your accounts are compromised and lost due to a simple operation. Even if my data is not valuable, it is still my personal privacy!