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Softpedia Editors Review
Long forgotten is the time when I used to store on a notebook all my
passwords for websites, email accounts, FTP or SSH accounts, or the
Online Banking codes and credit card pin numbers. It was even worse
when the writing pad got lost as I had to make numerous calls to stop
any kind of electronic fraud, especially when it was about the banking
cards. Now we use automatic FillForms and PasswordManagers
applications, and as there are lots of programs offering us so many
alternative features, we try choosing the most comprehensive one.
There are lots of protective methods in assuring our privacy and security. The files,
folders and processes can be concealed
from view, hidden somewhere in a secure folder, locked within a
bogus volume with a unique password or encrypted in a database using
different cryptographic algorithms.
FlyingBit Password Keeper is a secure organizer that allows you to
store pin numbers for credit cards, serial numbers, passwords etc., in
an encrypted database. Regarding the algorithms used for protection you
are able to choose from AES (Rijndael) using 128 and 256-bit keys, or
Blowfish (64-bit block cypher using 256-bit key) and Twofish (128-bit
block cypher using 256-bit key).
The freeware application is equipped with a nicely designed interface
and its architecture and functionality are quite pleasing. You don't
need to be a PC master to realize how it works as it is very easy to
use and handy at the same time. Probably the hard part will be
transferring all the information from your writing pad into an
electronic form, but after this is done, you will see life with hazel
eyes as there will be no password problems (like memorizing or storing)
anymore.
Initially you have a demo database to play with (with 111 as password).
The Passcard's Tree is divided into four major categories: Network,
Internet, E-mail and Home Banking. As these members are present by
default, there is nothing stopping you in adding new miscellaneous
groups or delete everything and start from scratch. These groups can
contain different passcards with an intuitive user-defined name
according to your needs. The items included can be as many as you want,
having ordinary fields like passwords (hidden behind asterisks if
desired), login or host name, url, card and serial numbers and IP
addresses, or you can define your own using the custom type where
anything can be written. For the last one an intuitive image can be
chosen.
As soon as you complete this database don't forget to save it and
encrypt it using one the four protection algorithms provided. As all of
them have their strengths and weaknesses, looking on the Internet for
information will help you choose the best one for your demands. Talking
about portability, well, you will be surprised to find out that the
software can be installed with ease on any memory stick. Save your
database(s) on this storage volume and go anywhere you want along with
your data. Having a safe database copy on your home computer is the
smartest thing to do in case your pen-drive gets lost. In this case
there is nothing to worry about, as the data is protected by an
encryption method, therefore is safe from reading of a third-party.
FlyingBit Password Keeper also supports multiple databases, in case you
are used to storing information in different files or having the same
data encrypted by all algorithms the program provides. Switching
between databases is easy, as you can log off from one and open
another. Refreshing the database list is done with the help of
Search option located within the Options menu.
Another feature which might be considered important is erasing the
clipboard, to avoid storing data in a volatile memory and forget about
it afterwards. The nice touch is given by the fact that copy/paste is
working only in the first 10 seconds by default, otherwise the memory
gets cleared and the operation must be redone. The clearing time is
user-defined, from 0 to 100 seconds. The bookmarks menu is very useful
as it provides easy access to the most frequently used passcards.
Looking in the software's settings we find different viewing options
regarding the program's toolbar, status bar and main window, system
tray choices or common options (run on system startup or copy the
Passcard field on middle mouse click). Clearing the clipboard memory
can be deactivated if considered unnecessary. FlyingBit Password Keeper
does not come with an assistance file and this is not a good point for
a software of its kind, as this free application has a pretty wide
serviceability.
The Good
FlyingBit Password Keeper is an easy-to-use application and free for
everyone to use. With a nice interface, its usability recommends it as
an alternative for everyone with loads of passwords or secret numbers
written on scrap bits of paper. Its files are portable through memory
stick storages. It can clear the clipboard memory to prevent the leak
of important information. Supports multiple databases and allows the
user to choose from four encryption algorithms provided. It has its own
bookmarks system for easy access.
The Bad
The Assistance menu is not available and there are no backup or restore
options for databases. The support of just three languages (English,
Russian and Ukrainian) is a bit poor. Currently, there are encryption
applications using Blowfish algorithm with 448-bit key, so there might
be a need for upgrade.
The Truth
As a freeware, FlyingBit Password Keeper is a handy tool in storing all
the important information you might have. Easy to use and portable, the
application lets you enjoy using all its features and indeed there is
no need for help when the demonstration database allows its
functionality to be seen completely.
Author: Dragos Ichim, Editor, Software Reviews
Copyright (c) 2008 Softpedia
Original location of this review
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