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Best Free Web Form Filler and Password Manager
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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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LastPass is a one of a kind product. Most password managers are either online or software only. It is the combination of both web service and software. With the web service you can access your data anywhere. The software which runs on your computer allows you to view your data even when you're not connected to the Internet. When you install the software, the plugins for IE and Firefox are automatically installed. There is now a plugin for Google Chrome as well. The plugin allows you to automatically fill forms. You will be logged in without even a click. You can always disable it if you don’t like it. One thing I really like about LastPass is the Password Generator. The Bookmarklet is a lifesaver if you’re on Chrome, Opera or just about any browser that supports JavaScript. The Bookmarklet does not have all the features of the plugin though, but it does allow you to fill passwords and forms, which is all you actually need. Did I mention you can store unlimited passwords? I personally have over 100 passwords stored on LastPass. If you’re worried about security or reliability, then let me tell you LastPass is as safe as it can possibly get. It uses the same encryption algorithm that the US Government uses for top secret data. The key to decrypt the data is only known to you, so the database is meaningless to hackers. All encryption/decryption occurs on your computer, not on the servers. This means that it does not travel over the Internet and it never touches the servers. The entire site is encrypted and verified by Comodo. |
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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, Firefox and even Google Chrome 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. However, 10 passwords is not enough for most people and that really defeats the purpose of a password manager. What's the point in having a password manager if it cannot manage all oyur passwords ? NB: 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 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. It's also skinnable. 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. |
Some alternatives: Firstly (my personal favorite) there is the open source program |
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You might want to check out these articles too: |
It works on Mac, iPad, Linux, and Windows.
NB Portable versions require portable browsers.
The last free version of RoboForm (V5.7.6) that allowed 30 passwords is still available for download from http: //www .roboform.com/dist/ AiRoboForm-5-7-6.exe (please rebuild the link by removing all spaces).
Compatible with IE but not with the current version of Firefox. 30 day trial of full version then some features disabled.
A Lite version (without an installer) for both Firefox and Chrome is available on the download page.
Portable version available here.
Portable version available, installer has a USB option.
Works on Windows XP, however the support forum notes some bugs under XP.
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form filler, free form filler, auto form fill, password manager, free password manager, freeware, auto form filler, automatic form filler, best password manager, biometric password manager, form filler password, form filler software, network password manager, online password manager, password autofill, password encryption, password file protection, password fill, password freeware, password keepass, password keeper, password management, password management software, password manager, password manager download, password manager free, password manager software, password manager xp, password program, password protect, password protection, password protection software, password safe, password secure, password security, password software, password tool, remember passwords, save password, save passwords, usb password manager, web form filler, web password manager, windows password manager |
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Comments
What does it really means? "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."
it is illegal to use it?
not secure enough?
Other interesting password managers to look at is the altool toolbar's auto login feature , found at http://www.altools.com/ALTools/ALToolbar.aspx
(which has unlimited password and username) but one that I am really liking is Sticky Password the free version which works better in the sense of auto login sites than even the altool's auto login , but you can have only 15 password and usernames with Sticky Password , which is fine with me , and it seems to work really well , not a resource hog , and this product is found at http://www.stickypassword.com/ .
Another one of interest seems to be Password Safe , which I have not tried , but was mentioned to me by people of Windows Secrets.
Everyone needs to calm down - think/type less sensationally. LastPass has some great features, other programs have nice features too.
If you are so concerned about loosing your master password you can activate several other layers of security. But you can only attempt to understand if all the extreme statements about nonsense grandma's sister's girlfriend told you last year go away.
Additional security options in Lastpass:
1. Grid Multifactor Authentication - requires the user to present secondary form of authentication (look it up at Lastpass.com)
2. Finger print or Card reader authentication
3. Yubikey
You can use any, all, or none of these implementations.
Password Vault Manager Free Standard edition:
http://passwordvaultmanager.com/
[Moderator's note : Commercial details for software removed]
Well, that's why I appreciate this site so much! I think I'll give your recommended freeware KeePass a try. Keep up the good work. I've given up numerous programs in favor of your recommended freeware items and haven't regretted it yet. Thanks again!
KeePass + KeeFox (Firefox add on and KeePass plugin) is good web form filler for Firefox.
KeePass is very secure other than free Password Manager.
And I think if use KeeFox it's don't make KeePass to be less secure. It's true KeeFox don't make KeePass to be less secure? I hope it's true.
is KeeFox good ?
Hi,
The feature a password manager must have for me is the ability to display a small prompt, URL related, which displays the password from which the page requires me to select certain specific characters.
So many UK financial sites require this manual fill.. forget drag and drop: autofill isn't possible. Some use drop down character selection for each required character.
Only Roboform (that I can find) offers this. I'd love to be able to move away so I can upgrade Firefox from v3.6.x - I'm using Roboform v6; v7 requires a new license.
I've tried s number - including lastpass. None so far address this type of login page. Suggestions welcome!
Lastpass not compatible with Firefox 5
It works well with Firefox 5, at present there's an extra security protection due to problems with the server (you have to insert your password everytime you want it to fill or login to any site) but it has nothing to do with firefox.
I have Firefox 5 on a mac and Windows 7 laptop and Lastpass works just fine.
Password Manager Service LastPass Investigating Possible Database Breach...
http://blog.lastpass.com/2011/05/lastpass-security-notification.html
I guess I am a little confused with LastPass. Although passwords are stored on your local PC, you still need to go to their website to manage them. What happens if someone gets my website password that I use to manage all of my passwords with(via key logger, etc...)? They then have access to all of my passwords.
I'm a relative newbie with computers, but I'll tell what I do.
I've got LastPass on the Internet Explorer browser.
To log in, I use the Autofill function from a second password manager, KeePass, which is on a portable flashdrive.
The KeePass has something called a "Keyfile" that acts as the password for KeePass. There's a dropdown menu for the drives and the flashdrive has its own letter designation.
Once the keefile is set up via KeePass for that drive, I click on the flashdrive's letter in the dropdown, and KeePass logs me in to KeePass.
Then I right click on the LastPass file previously installed in KeePass, and a dropdown menu gives me a bunch of choices, including the Autofill option.
With the LastPass login box ready, I click the KeePass autofill and both username and password for LastPass are entered. The password is entered as stars.
The keyboard is never touched during this procedure and most amateur keylog hackers will be deterred.
The flashdrive is intended to foil screen capture keylogging invasions. The flashdrive is simply pulled out of its USB port, preventing access.
[edit] Email address removed for safety reasons. This category currently has no editor, please post your query in our forum for a response.
For those worried about keyloggers LastPass has an option to use a screen keyboard to type your login password.
Yes your right Johnny.I have an accounts that been hack because of the keyloggers.Thank for your tips.I should use Last pass now.
Exactly! That's the one thing that keeps me from using LastPass. Someone get's your website password and then has access to *ALL* of your passwords. I'm baffled that this doesn't seem to bother most people. I mean, one mistake and someone has access to your bank accounts, investment accounts, medical records, etc? Unfortunately, I don't know if there is any better alternative. I've been using Roboform for about 10 years and am ready to give up because of frustration with the product and technical support. I don't know where to turn. So, I don't think the 'perfect' product exists and no matter which you pick there will be compromises.
I would never keep important passwords in one of this services, I use Lastpass to manage many passwords, but things like bank account and similar, I use my head!
It only took one measly look at LastPass to convince me how USELESS it truly is! Web-based?! Are you stinking serious?! I need a password manager that is available to me ANYTIME! Especially offline! I use KeePass 1.18 exclusively and Sisma 2.0 for times when I need a smaller password manager.
Last Pass is both an online service and a software for your computer (as the article clearly states). So it is available to a user anytime (as opposed to software only which is only available when you have your computer).
As to the software:
"The software which runs on your computer allows you to view your data even when you're not connected to the internet."
@Super2cool Some editing would make this article a bit clearer. If there's a re-write coming per your interest in Passter, perhaps you can also consider the following.
The article reads as though most of it was written before you included LastPass, with some legacy text that now seems out of context and raises questions. Here are 3 examples that struck me:
"There's no doubt that RoboForm is the stand-out product in the category..."
- Actually, you have raised this doubt--not only with your new description of LastPass, but even with your legacy statement's ambiguity as to which version of RoboForm you meant (the paid version, which is out of bounds for rating purposes here, or the current free 10-item version, or the older free 30-item version).
"Firefox users are out of luck, because you can't use this version with the current version of Firefox"
- Perhaps this should now say, "Firefox and Chrome users", or that it does work with Chrome.
"Some alternatives"
- You wrote this to describe alternatives to RoboForm. Now, RoboForm is listed in second place, making it one of the "alternatives", so this adds confusion.
"Firstly (my personal favourite) there is the open source program KeePass."
(Still? Inquiring minds want to know!)
OK, there's a fourth, but it's trivial: "both Internet Explorer, Firefox and even Google"
- It's time to delete "both", but we can all figure out that one.
-My 2¢ worth; and thank you for all your work.
If you mainly use Firefox, you can also install the Autofill Forms add-on. It's got tons of features.
If Autofill Forms is overkill for you, then you can try out my Autofill add-on:
https://addons.mozilla.org/addon/262804/
It's targeted at power users, but even my grandma can use it. AES encryption is planned.
I think that the best solution for password managers has arrived:
Passter - Passwords are Faster
It has to most secured online pwds storage
Interesting
Freeware is free software without crippling. RoboForm is very crippeled and should be excluded at once. There are other sites for shareware / commercial software.
Roboform is not really freeware, the 10 password limit makes it more like trialware.
Roboform is free if you have 10 passwords or less.
Who has ten passwords?
You should be asking " who has only 10 passwords?" Any sensible security-conscious person will have many many passwords.
Agreed.
This doesn't make any sense at all...
I have used Roboform but LastPass, comparing free versions, is light years ahead.
I have been using MobileWitch Pass Safe for a couple of years and I think it`s by far the best password manager.
You can even use it on your mobile phone, very convenient and simple to use.
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