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Introduction
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Products in this class are among the most useful of all PC utilities because they allow you to complete the common task of filling in web forms and logins by simply clicking a button, as well as allowing you to store program serial numbers and registration details in a secure electronic form. They work by saving (in encrypted form) user IDs, passwords and other information needed by individual sites for later retrieval. To login to a site you need only type in a single master password to allow retrieval of the specific password information for that site. This information is then used by the program to automatically login. This greatly improves security because it allows different passwords to be assigned to individual sites without the need to remember them. And it makes the login process easy and quick. |
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Discussion
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There's no doubt that RoboForm is the stand-out product in the category; it's full featured, easy to use, seamlessly integrated into both Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, and is constantly being enhanced by the developer. It also allows your saved passwords to be used on any PC, which is very convenient if you use multiple machines or are upgrading. I do have a major reservation though: The free version allows only 10 forms or passwords to be stored. This used to be 30 in earlier versions, which was adequate, but 10 is insufficient for most users, and some may eventually decide to shell out $29.99 to buy the full product. That reservation aside, it is a fabulous product that saves me time every day. Try it. You'll be amazed by how much time it'll save you, too. Note: If you use Internet Explorer, there's some good news: the last free version of RoboForm (V5.7.6) that allowed 30 passwords is still available from the RoboForm web site, though it's well hidden in the FAQ. Firefox users are out of luck, because you can't use this version with the current version of Firefox. |
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Some alternatives: Firstly (my personal favourite) there is the open source program KeePass. It's not nearly as well integrated into your browser as RoboForm, but it's a very good product that works without any limitations at all. There's also an excellent KeePass plug-in for Internet Explorer that automates web form filling. You can simply drag and drop saved information to password prompts or webforms. Alternatively, you can use the powerful auto-type functionality that allows you to define a sequence of key presses, which KeePass can automatically perform when a global hotkey is pressed – perfect for email logons or entering program serial numbers. |
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Some alternatives to KeePass include Password Safe and PINS, which are both open-source and free and come with an auto-type system. Yet another possibility is KeyWallet, which allows you drag and drop saved information directly into web forms. Not quite as neat as RoboForm's click-and-fill system, but it's still highly effective. KeyWallet can also automatically save form data and handle difficult Java based forms. And it's skinable. However, KeyWallet has not been updated since 2001, before the release of XP, and there are still some XP related issues. Access Manger is similar to KeyWallet, but is still being maintained. It doesn't have the skinning capabilities of KeyWallet, and requires the .NET framework to run. |
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Online Solution? Finally, if you want to separate password keeping from filling out forms, consider PassPack. Its advantage is that it's entirely online: there's nothing to download and install. This lets you generate and use passwords from any computer that's connected to the Internet. My only concern at this time is the legitimacy of the service, but at present it would seem to be a viable alternative to software password managers. |
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Related Products and Links
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You might want to check out these articles too: |
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6.9.87 
Restricted Freeware (full commercial version available) 
Windows 98 – Vista & PocketPC & Palm
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Editor
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This software category is in need of an editor. If you are interested in taking it over, please email Elizabeth, our editorial co-ordinator with a little bit about your background and in particular, whether you have any commercial affiliation with products in this category. If you are currently logged in, you can contact Elizabeth directly by clicking here, if not then click here. |
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Tags
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form filler, free form filler, auto form fill, password manager, free password manager, freeware |
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in my opinion the best are:
www.clipperz.com/
www.passpack.com/
Lastpass is the first product of it's type to seriously rival RoboForm, and it's the only free product I would consider over RoboForm pro. Given that's its not limited like the free version of RoboForm, I'm guessing it will soon become the No.1 pick for this category.
PC Magazine rated LastPass the best in a roundup of 8 password managers, and at the best price (free) too. See http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2343637,00.asp for the roundup.
I've tried several password managers / form fillers on this list. In my opinion Lastpass is much better than any of them. Of course RoboForm is great, but Lastpass is at least equally good in all areas (I would say better) and it is freeware. It's hard to believe it's not even mentioned.
Lastpass is in my opinion an entire generation ahead of the pack.
I was using Roboform until I stumbled upon what I consider to
be the best!!
Lastpass please
RoboForm rocks. I've tried several other similar free programs that don't have limitations, but none are as good as RoboForm. So this is one of those rare cases where I decided I would rather pay up and get the best.
last pass is the best
I don't like Sxipper. It lost a password. Uninstalled it and the password reappeared.
I use AutoFill and "Always Remember Password" extensions.
There is a updated "Always Remember Password" you will have to do a search in extensions forums to find it.
Only problem is you can remember passwords on only one computer. If you go over to your friends place and you forget your friends password, what then? Lastpass is better in this regard.
KeePass error
anyone got a fix?
an error occurred
error code 0x00000006.
File access error: failed to open file in write mode.
The target file might be in a corrupted state. Please try saving again,
and if that fails, save the database to a different location.
Right click the database - see if it is marked as read-only.
that's the problem. - or you dont have access to write to that dir.
Has anyone tried out Password Hash (or PwdHash), an add-on for both Firefox and IE. It supposedly allows you to remember just one password, which it takes and runs through an algorithm that includes the site's domain name as part of it's calculation. It then swaps the resulting strong password before you send it to the site. All you have to do is press the F2 key in the password box before you type (that's after installation of the add-on). Just
read about it...haven't tried it, or even know how strong the encryption is.
But it sounds like a dream...you only have to remember one password for ALL your web sites. And in the real world, that's really what most of us do, use one password that's not strong enough for all our sites.
Paul
Surely it's just inherently unsafe to involve anyone except yourself and your computer when selecting passwords. In the real world, most of us don't want to remember ANY password but expect the computer to select & present pwds as needed after logon.
I wonder just how unsafe this method is. You are relying on yourself and your computer to create the passwords even in this method. The resultant password is encrypted and extremely difficult to crack. Of course, one could say that if I can guess what xxx's part of the password is, then I could go to that website and enter xxx's part and the program will calculate the rest of the password.
But you would need to know what program created the password...and there are lots of them. It would take a hacker lots of effort to get your password.
In any case, this is much better for the majority of users (I use Roboform)
who create simple passwords they can remember (because even when we are told to create strong passwords, how many can remember them or keep track of them)
The current system people have is the truly inherently unsafe method of creating passwords....I believe this is something that would make it strong enough to deter a lot of hackers (ps...not all hackers are thieves...I am talking about thieves)
Paul
The link to Roboform V5.7.6 does not download this version . It is actually downloading V6.9.91.0. If anyone wants V5.7.6 it is available from http://www.oldversion.com/ . I find Cute Password Manager less complicated, and less in my face.
You could also check AlPass: http://www.altools.com/ALTools/ALPass.aspx.
It seems quite good, with several nice features. Unfortunately, it only supports IE.
I second the suggestion for lastpass. It's a great product and free and web based option.
I too use lastpass but still have questions about its security.
It isn't open source and stores your passwords in its server.
However certainly this is the app to watch out for.
I've been trying out LastPass for over a week now and haven't found anything it can't handle so far. It's certainly more "in-your-face" than RoboForm and constantly reminds you to login if you haven't done so, but other than that it's a pleasure to work with ... it installs quickly, works well with both Firefox and IE7, generates passwords if you want it to, and because it's web-based, all of your passwords are available and up-to-date on every computer on which you run LastPass. There's also no limit to the number of passwords you can store, which is a big advantage over RoboForm Free's limit of 10. Have not yet tried the portable version to see how it compares to RoboForm Free's portable version, but that's next up on my test agenda.
mjt328
I third this. I've been using it for a couple weeks now and it's been fantastic so far (knocking on wood). It has everything I want it to have and it's free. That tops it for me!
.
hi
i would like to fourth this.
LastPass remember your sites
fillup forms for registration
generates secure password
or use your defult password
and finaly auto login to your sites
it can be integrated with explorer and firefox
nothing is left to do more.
If you are looking for a free Roboform-like password manager, check out Lastpass.
Its like Roboform combined with Sxipper.
I have just started using Sxipper, another Firefox plugin, and I'm already a big fan! Give it a try...
http://www.sxipper.com/
Hi
Try billeo from www.billeo.com... it's pretty good... fits well as toolbar in firefox and IE7.... free and unlimited password storage.
cheers..
Hi
Roboform is extremely comfortable and secure to use as compared to others.. but capacity of 10 passcars in free version is not enough. if anyone has a idea that for paid version 29.99$ is for 1 year or more? asking because not sure..
The $29.99 is a one-time fee!!!
KeyWallet has not been updated since 2001. It happens to be XP compatible to an extent, but when this product was released XP wasn't even available yet! No updates were ever made to the software after the first version was released. This means there are still XP compatibility issues. I'm surprised that after 7 years of no updates that this program is still being recommended.
Best form filler: Autofill forms for Firefox or Google toolbar for Firefox/IE. These are not password managers though.
Has anyone tried out iMacros from iOpus? Seems to have very good ratings on the Firefox addon website... guess I'll give it a try and see how it works (there's a free version available as a Firefox addon)
Link: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3863
Cheers, Joey.
If you use Opera, it has its own password recorder called "wand". Works great for me - PALADIN
yes I use Roboform Pro a lot but with caution as it is not as secure as some would have us all believe .
Firstly the default settings leave it wide open and Roboform Support agree . It was with shock horror a friend discovered this ... her banking details were not encrypted in the data file if per chance the pc had been hacked it would be freely available .
Now my beef with Roboform Support is that the default settings should be secure .
next if you don`t log off with the log off button you are for a period then you are not secure
Hmm... Roboform is not a freeware anymore.
Try Cute Password Manager, it's an alternative to AI Roboform's pricy services (worth every penny, though) and the toughest competition at the same time.
http://www.cutepasswordmanager.com
Not even Cute Password Manager is exactly freeware. You can obtain it for free by spending some cash on other "partner" products.
http://www.cutepasswordmanager.com/trialpay.php
Ciao
Marco
Just a quick note on Roboform.
An excellent tool and does the job superbly. Just one bug I've found: if you click to fill and submit a login, but your browser has automatically filled the user and pass, Roboform can't do the obvious and just submit it - or replace it and submit it anyway - it comes up with an error message "No fields to fill".
A bit annoying, but you only have to go to the login form and click it yourself, so it's not too much of a nuisance. I'm just surprised that they haven't fixed such an obvious flaw though.
Might just be a Firefox issue of course.
chris