SYNC IN
KEEPASS
There are ways to keep your database
in sync between multiple desktops
and mobile devices using the main
KeePass (https://keepass.info)
application, but if you’re looking for
a straightforward, cross-platform
approach, consider choosing the
more user-friendly KeePassXC fork
(https://keepassxc.org), which has
been designed to make things easier
for multi-platform use (Windows,
Mac, and Linux; Chrome and Firefox
browsers; plus mobile).
KeePassXC works with existing
KeePass databases, so once
installed, start by loading it in. Next,
enable Firefox and Chrome-based
browsers to access the passwords in
the database by navigating to “Tools
> Settings > Browser Integration”
and checking the appropriate box.
See https://keepassxc.org/docs/
keepassxc-browser-migration/ for
additional instructions if required.
Keeping the database in sync with
other desktop clients can be achieved
by simply storing your database
file inside a folder accessible to all,
whether that’s a folder on your NAS
for synching exclusively over your
local network or the folder used by
any cloud provider, such as Dropbox
or OneDrive, installed on your PC.
When it comes to extending
KeePassXC to your cell phone, there’s
no native application provided, but
the KeePassXC team recommends
one of KeePass2Android for Android
users and Strongbox Password Safe
for iOS. Both enable you to sync your
mobile vault with the desktop file
using supported providers (you need
the requisite cloud app installed on
your phone).
Both Android and iPhone apps
work in a similar fashion: Open the
app and choose to add an existing
database when prompted. Select your
cloud provider from the list, then
browse to your synched database file
and select it. Provide your password
(and select your key file if necessary)
to gain access to your saved
passwords from your phone. iPhone
users should navigate to “Settings
> Passwords & Accounts > AutoFill
Passwords” to configure Strongbox
to automatically fill login boxes, too.this enables you to generate a random
password of 10–50 characters. This
can be random characters or words—
choosing characters enables you to select
what types to include, from alphanumeric
to spaces, dashes and underscores,
and symbols. Click “Generate” to keep
generating passwords until you find one
you like, then click “Use this” to record it.
If you’re migrating from another
password manager, you may be able to
import your passwords into Buttercup
to save time having to recreate them from
scratch. Choose “File > Import,” where
you’ll find options covering 1Password
(.1pif), KeePass (.kdbx), LastPass (.csv),
Bitwarden (.json), and previous Buttercup
installations (.csv). 1Password and
KeePass users are prompted for the
master password from the original vaults.
EXTEND TO MOBILE AND BROWSERMost of your logins will, of course, be
linked to websites—while we’ve shown
it’s possible to set these up in the desktop
application, a far better option is to install
the browser add-on and/or mobile apps.
These work in a similar way. First, click
“+” to add a new archive or link to an
existing one. If you select “System >
Enable Browser Access,” you can link
your browser add-on to a password file
stored on your PC; otherwise, it’s a case
of selecting your chosen cloud provider
(including Google Drive, of course) to log
in, browse, and select the archive file.
After entering your master password,
you’re prompted to give this archive a
name—this is purely for identification
purposes, so doesn’t need to match its
file name. Now your archive is connected
to all your devices, you can update it
from browser, mobile, and desktop, but
sometimes changes are slow to appear—
to force a sync in the desktop application,
for example, choose “View > Reload.”
When you next log into a website using
your browser, Buttercup pops up a promptYou can install a Bitwarden server in Windows 10.
Click the “Settings” button to configure access to your Bit warden ser ver.
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