Okay, you know the problem. You need usernames and passwords for lots of sites. You’d like to use the same one for every site but even then some sites demand passwords of minimum length or with 1 or 2 digits. Your chosen user name may already be taken. Even if you get around this, re-using a single user name and password for every site is risky. Lastpass is the answer.
Here’s what you do
Go to Lastpass and sign up. You provide a really secure password to unlock your vault of usernames/passwords that you accumulate over time. Don’t worry, the secure data isn’t stored un-encrypted at their site. Your secure password isn’t held by them either but with your secure password will unlock your store of secure data at their site should you lose your copy.
Here’s how it works
You install a plugin (extension) to IE or Firefox. When you visit a site that needs your username/password, you are prompted to logon to Lastpass with your secure password (remember you don’t even have to connect to their site as you have a local encrypted copy too). The plugin then looks up that site in your vault and selects the correct username/password for that site. I haven’t yet found a site it doesn’t work for (except one that is totally Flash hosted). The username/password is automatically pasted into the form and you are logged in.
Is it safe?
Yup. The data is held locally and at Lastpass.com. But it is only held encrypted in AES 256bit (seriously good) and the clear password is never communicated.
Anything else?
Well, lots. You know sites that need a bunch of your details (say, for a purchase)? Well, Lastpass can help. You can provide the details and if Lastpass detects such a form, it offers to fill in the details. I use it for ordering stuff so I don’t have to provide all my contact details over and over again.
You can also, provide temporary access to the vault to others using a one-time use password. Obviously, Lastpass follows you about the internet so if you can install the plugin on a PC you have full access. There is a USB stick version of Laspass so you can backup your data and/or carry your vault with you from PC to PC.
Ok, I’m curious
Check out the screencast.
