I know I don't have good password hygiene and I'm considering a password manager. Right now all my passwords are in a text file and I like that because the kids occasionally say, "what the password to hulu?" and I can tell them. So I guess I have several questions:
1) Which password manager do you use and why?
2) How would this affect things like my AppleTV which need passwords for video streaming?
3) How would I tell the kids what the Hulu password is?
4) How do I get all my existing usernames and passwords into the password manager?

Thanks

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2021 03:21PM by davemchine.

I use 1Password but its more important to use a password manager than which one you specifically use. Obligatory wirecutter review - [www.nytimes.com]

I use 1Password because its was the first complete solution and I've just kept using it. For me, browser integration is necessary. It has it and I'd want it out of any PW manager I'd consider.

>How would this affect things like my AppleTV which need passwords for video streaming?

Sometimes I have to look up a password on my mac and type it in with the remote. Most apps show a URL and a code and you use them to log in via your mac. Once your mac is logged in it'll authenticate your appletv as well. Its not a bad system.

>How would I tell the kids what the Hulu password is?

Two options - you can just give it to them, or you can set up a shared pw vault. With the shared vault you could change the pw and they'd be able to get the updated version.

>How do I get all my existing usernames and passwords into the password manager?

You can add them manually but my most common method of adding account to 1Password is just logging into the site, the 1Password browser plugin will notice and prompt you to save it.

Also - randomize your passwords!

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Everyone has different levels of price sensitivity but this is one place where its not unreasonable to pay a couple of extra dollars to get the tool you prefer.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2021 04:06PM by mattkime.

I use Enpass [www.enpass.io]
macOS & iOS, syncs flawlessly.

mattkime precisely explained the Apple TV/Hulu situations!

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Dave,

Search the forum. There are a slew of threads that cover password managers. My app of choice is 1Password. It's a critical app, so much so that if I had to nuke and pave a machine, it'd be one of the first three apps I'd install after the OS. It's that important.

Robert

I've used Enpass for five years now and it's been a sanity-saver. The Desktop version is still free apparently, but I do sync with my phone, although I don't recall having paid for that feature. That aspect might be new. [www.enpass.io]

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Robert M
Dave,

Search the forum. There are a slew of threads that cover password managers. My app of choice is 1Password. It's a critical app, so much so that if I had to nuke and pave a machine, it'd be one of the first three apps I'd install after the OS. It's that important.

Robert

what are the other 2 Apps? for me I usually install 1Password, CCC, SMART Utility, Onyx, then I use whatever I need on that machine.

I use lastpass. It has similar cross platform features as the others. One big advantage of a manager is that it is accessible from anywhere using a web browser. No specific need to download an app and install it.

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Robert M
Dave,
Search the forum. There are a slew of threads that cover password managers. My app of choice is 1Password. It's a critical app, so much so that if I had to nuke and pave a machine, it'd be one of the first three apps I'd install after the OS. It's that important.
Robert

100% this. Its how I nuke and pave as well.

We would need another post about essential apps. Everyone is different. My next 2 apps are Firefox and xtraFinder. s-t's apps -- CCC, Smart and Onyx are not needed or used in our mac house.

Theres really nothing wrong with keychain, my wife uses it across her 3 devices.

One newcomer is the one from dropbox -- if you are already paying for dropbox, maybe worth a look.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I also use Lastpass and agree that it is helpful that it is accessible VIA a web browser.

Dave

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...on the trailing edge of technology.

Space,

Dropbox and Postbox.

Robert

This would be a great topic for a sticky thread. I stand by that password managers are essential in modern day technology use.

I am also not a big fan of the versions that are 'free' - you get what you pay for in this world, and a 'free' program/app that stores my credit card information is something that smacks of an unacceptable risk. Use Keychain until you are ready to go for paid version is my recommendation.

[I use both keychain and 1Password in my household].

How does keychain and 1password work together?

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

i've used 1Password for years. Have it on my macs, iphone, and ipad

when my son needs one for hulu or whatever, i whip out my phone, open 1Password and look it up. if i'm at my desk on my computer it's even easier as the mini-menu for 1Password is right there.

1password is just as handy for filling out identity and credit card information in just a few clicks when purchasing online.

all my passwords are in one place which will be really handy for when i die. I left the Master Password in a location where the people who will need to know it will be able to find it.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2021 05:43PM by graylocks.

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davemchine
How does keychain and 1password work together?

I don't think they really work together, the 1Password is like keychain but way more advanced. There is one exception though? I do use Touch ID, which I believe is tied with Keychain, to unlock my 1Password account. This works on both iPhone and Mac.

Why is 1Password more advanced that Keychain? here are a few simple reasons I can list quickly. There are probably many more.

1-it works on multiple platforms. 1Password has App for windows, and works as a browser extension in Linux, Raspbian.

2-It will want you or duplicated passwords, I don't think keychain does that.

3-It allows you to keep notes, etc in each password. For example those 3 security questions: you can write down the questions and the (optionally fake) responses in the 1Password. For example, if they ask where I got married, I am not necessarily going to give them the real city, but I could say Paris. No, I didn't get married in Paris, I wish.

4- I believe that 1password will warn you if a web site has been compromised since you last changed the password and encourage you to change it. I don't think that Keychain does that.

Now I could be wrong in some or all of these listed above, so please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Thats being said, I do have many password duplicated in both places for convenience. Sometimes if Safari asks me if I want to save that password, I would accept, so the password becomes saved in keychain. Like this forum for example, while I would not want to lose this account, it would not be a catastrophic loss.

I use LastPass.

My son set it up, he used to work for Apple (retail store) and now has a job doing IT for a company that has contracts with government agencies in and around DC.

So I can't specify why, but if he trusts it...

Dave

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Another 1Password user here. Other PW managers are also good but this is the one I started with. I really don't understand how folks can function digitally in this day and age without a password manager. Mine has separate vaults for me and my wife. However, I have her vault visible on my machine so that I can access her devices easily when there are problems. I also like that it's multiplatform and that I have my passwords with me wherever I go.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Davester you bring up a good point and I'd like some clarification if possible. I have an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone while my wife only uses her iPad. We share a credit card account and bank account login but she does have a few of her own logins for other services. For example we each have our own gmail login and facebook login. How would this be handled?

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
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davemchine
Davester you bring up a good point and I'd like some clarification if possible. I have an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone while my wife only uses her iPad. We share a credit card account and bank account login but she does have a few of her own logins for other services. For example we each have our own gmail login and facebook login. How would this be handled?

you have as many account for gmail or facebook as you want. When you unlock 1Password, you can choose which username and password is used for the web site you try to use.

1Password has a 30 day demo, and the monthly fee is only $3 I believe. Why don't you try for free for 30 days and continue at $3/month if you like it, or if you really like it, go for the yearly plan.

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space-time

1-it works on multiple platforms. 1Password has App for windows, and works as a browser extension in Linux, Raspbian.

2-It will want you or duplicated passwords, I don't think keychain does that.

3-It allows you to keep notes, etc in each password. For example those 3 security questions: you can write down the questions and the (optionally fake) responses in the 1Password. For example, if they ask where I got married, I am not necessarily going to give them the real city, but I could say Paris. No, I didn't get married in Paris, I wish.

4- I believe that 1password will warn you if a web site has been compromised since you last changed the password and encourage you to change it. I don't think that Keychain does that.

Keychain does 2 and 4. It does 3 but I think it’s only in MacOS. Not doing 1 is a fine security measure.


1) Which password manager do you use and why?
Keychain, included with the OS and transparent for the most part.
2) How would this affect things like my AppleTV which need passwords for video streaming?
Automatic if it’s already in keychain, and using same iCloud ID.
3) How would I tell the kids what the Hulu password is?
Open keychain.app on MacOS or preferences/passwords on iOS, search.
4) How do I get all my existing usernames and passwords into the password manager?
MacOS: either login in safari, and hit yes on the “wanna save passwrd?”, or go to keychain.app and add them one at a time.
iOS: one at a time @prefs/passwords.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/2021 08:29PM by rich in distress.

Set it up with separate vaults for you and your wife. If you have a joint account you can have the logins for those in both vaults. The only issue with that is if one person changes their login it may not affect the other person's vault. The other possibility is to have the login in just one vault but have both people have access to both vaults. Then you can set up your personal preferences to either only show the logins for one vault or all vaults. You could also have a third vault labelled "wife's secret logins" that only she accesses. There may be other possibilities but I've only used the relatively simple two vault thing. As space-time said, just do it. There's no risk and virtually no cost.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

....I use the one called 'my brain'.....if I should keel over tomorrow........no way to get into any of my....crevices.......

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_____________________________________

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davemchine
How does keychain and 1password work together?

I use them as parallel tools. Keychain storing some basic passwords etc, 1Password for password sharing (we have a family vault in Dropbox) and for encrypting other files and notes etc. 1Password does far more than Keychain.

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davemchine
1) Which password manager do you use and why?

Keychain Access because it's free and fully integrated into the system and iCloud.

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2) How would this affect things like my AppleTV which need passwords for video streaming?

See above.

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3) How would I tell the kids what the Hulu password is?

No need to do so. See above.

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4) How do I get all my existing usernames and passwords into the password manager?

I suggest you don't make a project of it. Just enable Keychain Access and its database will be built up over time as you access your various password protected sites, etc.

.....take a pass......???

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_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Enpass - free and cross platform for $.
Dunno about Apple TV or the like for streaming. I sign into those things on the Roku TV and I'm done. If you mean on the computer, I'd think that Enpass does that.
Hulu password read or email or text.
It will import from other PMs or from a comma csv (excel export).

since 99% of passwording for me is on desktop, not too concerned about sync. But Enpass will do that if I need it to for not a lot of dough.

thus far, for the few things I need on the phone, I use encrypted pdf.

The big thing for me is on the Mac, it is cloudless local storage which I'm more comfortable with.

It has other useful features, like aging password reminders, password generation based on criteria, ability to ad extra fields, blah, blah, blah.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2021 09:31AM by Fritz.

Hi everyone,

To all who are recommending Keychain Access and limiting themselves to it. Seems like by doing so, you are losing some of the most important features of 1Password.

1. 1Password stores far more than just passwords. Security questions. Images and PDFs of critical information. Identity information. I use all of these aspects of it. Keychain Access doesn't offer these features.

2. Multiple vaults. I have one vault for personal info and a second vault for business info. Can't do that with Keychain Access.

Not sure if Enpass or other password managers offer those features but they are a part of 1Password and one of the reasons I use it. Keychain Access is good for only the most basic of password management tasks. It's woefully inadequate for someone who wants more than that.

Robert

Hi Robert, I strongly disagree with your assessment.
I hardly need to encrypt documents, i find it redundant since my user folder is already encrypted.
But tools available within apple’s ecosystem work fine for everything I have needed.
Needs differ vastly I know, but MacOS/iOS are as competent and secure, not to mention convenient, as anything else out there.
Your mileage obviously varies.
Greetings,
Rich

Rich,

We actually agree. You’re using Keychain Access for the most basic of tasks. For that it is sufficient. Try using it for anything more and you’ll find it isn’t suitable.

Robert

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Robert M
1. 1Password stores far more than just passwords. Security questions. Images and PDFs of critical information. Identity information. I use all of these aspects of it. Keychain Access doesn't offer these features.

Yes, it does. Keychain Access's Secure Notes can hold all those things.

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2. Multiple vaults. I have one vault for personal info and a second vault for business info. Can't do that with Keychain Access.

Yes, you can. Just add a new keychain.

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Keychain Access is good for only the most basic of password management tasks. It's woefully inadequate for someone who wants more than that.

You seem to be unfamiliar with Keychain Access.

Article,

Incorrect. I am familiar with it. Keychain Access doesn’t offer the same level of features and the few it does aren’t offerred in the same way, it’s interface is a kludge and it isn’t platform independent. That’s why I don’t use it.

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2021 06:42AM by Robert M.

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Article Accelerator

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Robert M
1. 1Password stores far more than just passwords. Security questions. Images and PDFs of critical information. Identity information. I use all of these aspects of it. Keychain Access doesn't offer these features.

Yes, it does. Keychain Access's Secure Notes can hold all those things.

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2. Multiple vaults. I have one vault for personal info and a second vault for business info. Can't do that with Keychain Access.

Yes, you can. Just add a new keychain.

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Keychain Access is good for only the most basic of password management tasks. It's woefully inadequate for someone who wants more than that.

You seem to be unfamiliar with Keychain Access.

AA - have any good links to setting up multiple keychains on a business Mac? I have enough trouble with keychain since my employer requires me to change passwords twice a year on this Mac. I'd love to know a better may to manage Keychain access, especially if I can set it up so one is personal (and doesn't suffer from password change fatigue). TIA!

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Robert M
Article,

Incorrect. I am familiar with it. Keychain Access doesn’t offer the same level of features and the few it does aren’t offerred in the same way, it’s interface is a kludge and it isn’t platform independent. That’s why I don’t use it.

Robert

There are many functions in 1Password I cannot seem to replicate with Keychain. But Apple continues to improve in this area. I look forward to AA educating me on where he sees Keychain's new tools.

In the meantime, the fact that we have a shared vault for family passwords (something that may come when all of us are running Catalina or above on our Macs for iCloud sharing) keeps us with 1Password.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2021 08:34AM by sekker.

Sekker,

Exactly my point. Apple has definitely improved Keychain Access and overall password functionality. Still, Keychain Access feels like something Apple includes in the OS but with the expectation that the average person won't mess with it much, if at all. Not the first time Apple has done this with an app in my experience.

Robert