[h2]Introduction[/h2]
First things first, what the hell is a CheeseBrain you ask? In short, imagine having an acute case of ADD combined with the short term memory abilities of a small block of wood. This affliction(syndrome if you will) affects most of us that were of the video game generation, hell I can’t even remember where I put my pants! Now that we’ve got the root of the word down you’re probobly wanting to know how this deals with Password Security. To be honest, it doesn’t at all, but it is related to password management, and password management is indirectly related to password security so somewhere in here I think I still have a point!
I, being a self diagnosed CheeseBrainee(TM) and working as a Systems Administrator in a corporate environment(read: fancy word for business + uneeded politics) have to remember hundreds of different login names and passwords for many hundreds of different systems. Whether this be the fault of said administrator for being very lazy with his LDAP implementation is not important, what is important is that remembering these passwords is next to impossible, and committing them to physical or unsecured digital is horribly bad practice, that problem is where this article(rant) steps in.
There are a few different applications that I’ve come across in my tenure as an admin that help me solve the CheeseBrain(tm) dilemma. These handy dandy applications are basically an encrypted(this word makes all suit types get all warm inside) fancy version of notepad. The two that I’m going to mention are Password Safe and KeePass, both Open Source applications, fantastically secure, and really almost one and the same. Why bother with both? Because it boils down to personal preference, as layed out below.
[h2]KeePass[/h2]
[h]Important Misk:[/h]
[b]Main URL:[/b] [url]http://keepass.sourceforge.net/[/url]
[b]Download URL:[/b] [url=http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=95013]Download Me[/url]
[b]Open Source:[/b] Yes
[b]Last Release:[/b] September 10th, 2005
[h]The Skinny:[/h]
[b]Pros:[/b]
- Very Pretty interface
- Highly customizable
- Offers many import functions for various other password applications
- Has plugin engine capable of most anything
[b]Cons:[/b]
- Only offers two methods of encryption AES & Twofish (although plugin manager will allow for more)
- Fairly complicated interface in comparison to Password Safe
- Backup system was not as polished as Password Safe
[b]Blurb:[/b]
KeePass is definatley the most aesthetically(pulitzer here i come) pleasing of the two, but at the same time is lacking when it comes to crypto choices. That being said, both options offered for encryption are good enough for all but the most paranoid. As both applications are relatively simple, it isn’t really fair to judge as far as overall useability is concerned.
I’ve included a couple pictures below to give you an idea of what the basic interface looks like.
[b]Pictures:[/b]
[img=keepass1.png]KeePass Default Interface[/img]
[img=keepass2.png]KeePass Entry Interface[/img]
[h2]Password Safe[/h2]
[h]Important Misk:[/h]
[b]Main URL:[/b] [url]http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/[/url]
[b]Download URL:[/b] [url=https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=41019&package_id=33169&release_id=372432]Download Me[/url]
[b]Open Source:[/b] Yes
[b]Last Release:[/b] November 25th, 2005
[h]The Skinny:[/h]
[b]Pros:[/b]
- Very simple easy to use interface
- Offers many import functions for various other password applications
- Easy to use backup system
- Offers many different methods of encryption
[b]Cons:[/b]
- No plugin system
- Not near as pretty as KeePass 
[b]Blurb:[/b]
Where KeePass can be categorized as a metapad, Password Safe is more of a notepad level application in terms of complexity and overall functionality. This lack of fancy features can be a good thing for the minimalist or for those folks that are going to employ this app for their not so brilliant end users. For the power users a definate advantage to Password Safe is the added options for encryption and ease of database backup whilst having minimal interface clutter, and again it boils down to personal preference.
I’ve included a couple pictures below to give you an idea of what the basic interface looks like.
[b]Pictures:[/b]
[img=passwordsafe1.png]Password Safe Default Interface[/img]
[img=passwordsafe2.png]Password Safe Entry Interface[/img]
[h2]Conclusion:[/h2]
As you can see from the brief summary of both applications there really are minimal differences between the two. KeePass has the eye candy where Password Safe has the advanced backup and encryption functionality. In my adventure to defeat CheeseBrain(tm) I’ve used both applications and had a hard time picking either app. But, being the consumer and industrial designwhore that I am my application of choice at this point in time is KeePass.
My suggestion? Give both a try and see which one you like the best. Failing that, there are easily thousands of other password management programs out there including kwallet, password gorilla, gator(haha), bonzai buddy(:)), etc. Either that or continue to jot those passwords down on the back of your hand!
Gday!
