KeeWeb is the Open Source Password Manager You’ve Been Waiting For

Password managers are becoming more ubiquitous as high-profile hacks become the norm. People simply have too many log-ins to remember a unique password for each one. Using the same one for all your accounts, even if it’s a random group of symbols, isn’t safe either since cracking one account will crack them all.

This is where password managers come in. Not only is it somewhere you can store all your passwords in one spot, these programs also generate a unique string of symbols impossible to memorize and safe from hacking. Just remember one long string and you’re good to go since the manager encrypts your information in a database stored on your computer. Many people enjoy the usability of LastPass, which operates as a browser extension, automatically filling in the username and password fields on websites.

The problem with this type of service is it’s a paid, closed-source system, so users must make a decision between security and convenience. While you don’t have to waste time copying and pasting passwords, privacy advocates prefer having an open-source system to make sure the system isn’t compromised by government surveillance. LastPass’ main competitor is KeePass, an open source alternative that’s free, but unwieldy and unappealing to the eye.

The program looks like something out of Windows 95, but thankfully there’s an open source app called KeeWeb that fuses KeePass technology with a modern interface. The program works on Mac, Windows and Linux, and if you ever need to access an account on a third-party computer, you can log in to your cloud-stored database through a browser app.