passwords

This free password and key generator is about as bare-bones as it gets. Its simplicity will appeal to novice users, but more experienced users are going to want more options.

WPA Key/Password Generator has a very plain user interface, but it's clean and professional. The program uses numbered steps to guide users through the generation process. First, you select to generate either a WPA key or a password. Second, you select from three strengths (Good, Better, Best) that differ based on the number of characters that you want. The third, and final, step is to click the Generate … Read more

While this free tool successfully encrypted our selected files, its password protection feature failed to fully secure the files.

Marx 448 Bit Encryption opens with a pleasant looking, tabbed user interface. A closer look revealed options that weren't immediately recognizable, and we had to pay a visit to the Help feature to figure out how to get started. You have to flip to the Setup tab to add or remove files. You also can select the key depth, choose from two encryption methods, and input how many passes you want the program to perform. After some manipulation, we were … Read more

While it can password protect user-specified applications, the trade-off in speed is too high a price to pay.

Password Door has an easy-to-use interface that requires you to create a master password to access it. The tabbed style lets you select an application from a list. If you can't find a specific program on the list, there is a search function available under the Options menu. From the main window, you can opt to create a separate password for protecting the application, or you can opt to use your master password. In our tests, Password Door worked fine with … Read more

If devising secure passwords isn't your strong suit, this free password-creator is your answer. You can set the desired password length with the slide bar or, more interactively, by shaking the device to get your random number. You can also define passwords for hex encryption from the main interface. If you're the forgetful type, you can also e-mail the password to yourself as a back-up.

To its credit, the app gives you flexibility in including or excluding letters and special characters--though your password will be stronger with both. Still on our wish list are ways to manually set … Read more

Nothing strikes fear into our hearts like seeing one of our secret passwords, that we have guarded with our lives (well, maybe not so much), displayed in plain text. Even though you would be hard pressed to find anyone who approves of the practice, we find many websites that greet their new users with an email containing their super-secret password. As you open that email you almost feel betrayed. The password that you have worked so hard to protect is right there in front of your eyes.

Even if there is no significant security risk to transmitting passwords via plain … Read more

Organizing log-in information is a painless process with this easy-to-use password manager. Novices will especially appreciate its straightforward user interface. Password Dragon opens with an intuitive interface that isn't overwhelming.

Menu and toolbar items run across the top, and individual log-in information is displayed in the main window. To help users, the program activates only the buttons necessary for the task at hand to avoid any confusion. Click on the New File button to see the Add Record button, which then creates a new entry. The input fields are all self-explanatory, and there are no cumbersome slowdowns to entering … Read more

Password Prime's straightforward user interface is the perfect balance of simplicity and functionality. It proves that you don't need a lot of fancy buttons to get the job done.

Large, self-explanatory command buttons dominate the program's interface. There's a button for adding new username, password, and Web site information, a button for editing the entry, and a button for deleting the entry. You'll also find a series of buttons for copying the username and password information. We quickly jumped in without referring to the Help file and added our log-in information. One click took us … Read more

This useful solution for password control unites disparate log-ins under the protection of an unlock code, encryption, and an optional master password. Autofill, the gem in the password manager's crown, was unfortunately broken in this version, so those wondering why a major feature is missing have not gone crazy.

Until the next version is released in a few short days, you can continue to enter log-in information for each site URL, and use a new password display feature to remind yourself of the log-on directly from the log-in window on 1Password's internal browser. Other changes and additions now … Read more

The ultimate freeware encryption program, TrueCrypt is loaded with powerful features for anyone who is concerned with protecting their data from thievery.

It offers 11 algorithms for encrypting your private files in a password-protected volume, with full support for Snow Leopard. You can store your encrypted data in files (containers) or partitions (devices). TrueCrypt works hard to offer powerful data protection, recommending complex passwords, explaining the benefits of hidden volumes, and erasing telltale signs of the encryption process, including mouse movements and keystrokes. Though the interface may not be immediately intuitive, its powerful, on-the-fly, no-cost encryption still earns the freeware … Read more