Keeper has been around since 2009 and is among the most popular options on the market. Here’s more on the setup, security, and usability.
Setup
This one is super easy to set up, even for inexperienced users and complete newcomers to the world of password management apps. First, you should head over to the app’s official site and sign up for the free trial. The site will only ask for a valid email address, and the trial period is 30 days. If you click on the “For Business” button, the trial period is 14 days.
After that, Keeper will ask you to create a master password and the security question and answer. The question is there as a safety precaution should you lose the account password.
Having set up the master password and security question, Keeper will log you in and connect you to the app’s web client.
Next, the app will ask you to import passwords you’ve already created and stored in other password manager apps. However, you will have to get the app’s proprietary importing tool. Once you get it, you can proceed.
Keeper lets you import passwords stored in CSV files and written in plain text. You can get your passes created in True Key and Dashlane, among others. Of course, you can (and should) also import passwords from your browsers.
Security
Keeper follows the latest security trends and offers 256-bit encryption of all data. This is end-to-end encryption, meaning the company behind the app can’t get its hands on your sensitive data. Safe communication with servers is achieved with a pair of RSA 2048 keys. They’re also used during the initial account registration.
The app also supports two-factor authentication, which you’d want to set it up from the get-go. This feature can help you if you lose your master password and have to recover it (more on that later).
The company behind the app subscribes to the zero-knowledge policy, meaning that it doesn’t store your data on its servers. In effect, it can’t give your passwords away, even if mandated by the government.
The data key is a neat feature, and Keeper stores it on your device. It gives you total control over your data and your account. The app creates it with a 256-bit AES key that it gets through PBKDF2 derivation.
The existence of the security question might raise some brows, as it’s impossible if the encryption is genuinely end-to-end. However, Keeper’s Security Question wouldn’t pose any threat to you and your data. The question encrypts the second copy of your data key, which is stored on your device.
Ease of Use
Keeper is as smooth as a password manager app can get. It has an intuitive and straightforward interface across all supported platforms and it allows you to create passwords and usernames for your accounts inside the app. You only have to click or tap on the Keeper icon in the field you want to save. Keeper will store the entry and fill in the field for you.
Keeper also offers to automatically pre-fill login forms for you when you revisit sites that you’ve registered with the app. A pop-up will appear on the screen and then you can proceed with the automatic route or enter the data on your own.
Keeper can also update your passwords, but that only works for simple forms that only require entering the old and new passwords.
