I - General information about password managers

• A password manager is a tool that creates and stores passwords for you,
  so that you can use many different passwords on different websites and services
  without having to memorise them or write them down on paper or in an unprotected file.

• Features of a password manager:
  • Stores passwords securely: this is referred to as a vault
    passwords are stored in encrypted form in a file containing your ‘username/password’ database
  • Protects all passwords with a master password: this is the key to the vault, the encryption key
  • Generates strong passwords: no need to invent memorable ones
  • Being able to interface with several web browsers: all passwords are available on multiple browsers

• Benefits of a password manager:
  • Facilitates password management
    • Everyone now has too many passwords to manage without a tool
    • You no longer type them in, you copy and paste them
  • Secure passwords
    • Storage is secure
    • Storage is secure
    • Complexity is no longer an obstacle
    • Easy to have a different password for each site or login

• WARNING :
  • Using a password manager creates a single point of failure
    • If the vault is compromised or lost, all the passwords it contains are also compromised or lost
    • If the master password is forgotten, all the passwords contained in the vault are also lost
    • If the application, the vault or the master password are not available on the computer you are using, you will not be able to work
  • Do not mix your professional usernames and passwords with your personal ones:
    • Use two different vaults (two files)
  • It is necessary to manage the backup of the password vault very rigorously (for example, via SeaFile drive)
    • Choose carefully where to store the file or files containing the passwords.
    • Recommendation: store the file(s) in your ‘Desktop’ or ‘Documents’ folder
  • To reuse your password manager on a new machine, you need simply:
    • The application (available on the web)
    • The password vault (a simple file to copy)
    • Your master password

II - KeePassXC: our recommendation for password management software

• There are many free password management software available
• We recommend KeePassXC: mature, robust, well documented, easy to use, and can be used locally on your computer
• Versions available: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, IOS
• Download https://keepassxc.org/
• Our guides for Windows with screenshots:
  • installation
  • getting started and first use
  • integration with the Firefox browser
• The official ocumentation: KeePassXC user guide