Password Safe

[jerryctx]

Version 2 of PasswordSafe is now available from:

http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/

Its free and it was developed by one of the most respected names in security.

[KatMac]

Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the tip! I want to check this out but am a bit confused. I clicked "Download" and it took me here. Is it necessary to download both .bin and .src files, or just .bin file? (Having trouble navigating the site, can't locate ReadMe Txt). TIA - Kat

P.S. While I was looking at the SourceForge forum for help, I saw this thread on "Export Risks" and referral to Eraser. That sounds interesting as well. Do you know of Eraser and if so, do you like it?

[Tuttle]

You want the bin (binaries) zip file (which will contain a normal .exe). The src file just contains the source code.

[KatMac]

Thank you Tuttle!

[jerryctx]

Re Eraser

When you delete a file, only the directory entry is deleted. The data remains until the space is needed for a new file. Even after the data has been overwritten several times, it can be recovered.

Programs like Eraser overwrite the data multiple times (your choice). After enough overwrites, the data can not be recovered (maybe).

That's a bit wishy-washy because I don't know how many times are necessary. Federal regulations require disks containing top secret files to be sand blasted, then ground into dust. That tells me they aren't convinced that data can be unrecoverable without physical destruction of the media.

Most experts suggest 7 overwrites if the data are really sensitive (the NSA or DEA are interested in your files). One overwrite before you dispose of your computer is sufficient for most people. If you defrag often, old data will usually be overwritten by the normal updates to your files. I haven't used it for a while, but Norton's defragger had an overwrite option.

(Beware of programs that "delete" or "erase" magnetic media. There is no such thing. You can write on it and you can read it. To get rid of old data, you must write new data over it)

[KatMac]

Thanks for the input Jerry, very helpful and educational, as always.