First off, let me just say that Dropbox isn’t the only way to go about setting up the ultimate password syncer. Services like FolderShare, ChronoSync, Unison and SugarSync, work as well. I personally use Dropbox (get it free) and have been very happy with it.
Depending on if you’re an Apple or Windows user will determine which password management app you’ll want to use, although the concept here may work on other password management apps, you’ll just have to check into those details further.
The two password management apps that I know this will work on (both Apple and Windows), include:
(If you’ve used this concept with any other password management apps, I’ll add it to the list. ;-))
How-To Setup the Ultimate Password Syncer
1Password
If you’re using 1Password , before you do anything else, make sure you’re using the Agile Keychain Format. Since they released that feature a few years ago, you may already be doing so. Otherwise, you can learn how to switch on the 1Password blog.
Here’s how to move your Agile Keychain with 1Password.
First, under your preferences, go to your Keychain and select Change Location:
Select a nice place in your Dropbox (or other cloud file service that you use):
How easy is that!?!
The great part about this is, you can setup other computers and mobile devices to do the same thing. So, when you make a password update/change on your laptop, it will effect your desktop or mobile phone, since they’re all sharing the same database, assuming you go through this process on all your devices.
If you are setting this up on another device, instead of selecting “Change Location,” select “Show in Finder.” Browse to your dropbox, find the Agile Keychain, and make the switch!
Do not follow the same process as you did to setup 1Password the first time. You could potentially overwrite your Agile Keychain!
KeePass
Your basically doing the same thing as described with 1Password, but instead of moving an Agile Keychain, you’re going to move your KeePass database.
Just selected File -> Save As, then point KeePass at your Dropbox folder. Now, you can do this on any other computer. Just open KeePass (or KeePassX for OS X or Linux) and select File -> Open Database, and point it to the synced KeePass database file that you just added to your Dropbox folder.
Again, easy peesy!
One note, however, with KeePass:
KeePass doesn’t automatically update your passwords when it’s open, so if you make a change on one computer and then make a change on the other without re-opening the new database, you’ll end up with a conflict.
Other than that, you’re golden.
Do you use a password manager that leverages cloud technology?
[via Lifehacker]
April says
I have used Keepass through Dropbox on more than one occasion and I cannot tell you how much that comes in handy! 🙂
Eric Dye says
Yeah. I’m thinking about giving Keepass a go, even though I’ve heard a lot of good stuf about 1Password.
Reba says
I have used 1Password for a long time now. I have been syncing it through dropbox for a little over a year. This is an amazing tool and helps keep my life straight! Without it I would be so very lost.
Eric Dye says
Did you ever try Keepass?
Adam Shields says
I use ewalletGo but basically the same thing. But it is designed for dropbox and iCloud out of the box.
Eric Dye says
I’ll have to look at that. Thanks, Adam!