Password Managers, Anti-Virus & VPN software

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by wadec22, Apr 7, 2020.

  1. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    Thanks all. Lots of good advice here. Several programs I had never heard of. Good leads. Greatly appreciated.
     
  2. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    This is a great thread. I'm new to Windows and just starting out (used CPM to start with, then Mac for 35 years, and also Linux for 15 years). I've tried various AV solutions over the years on the Mac, but always ended up removing them. I used OnePassword for years, but stopped at version 7, when it switched to subscription. I know many people that use OnePassword with the subscription and really like it. I'm using LastPass now, but I really like the idea of self-hosting BitWarden on my Linux server! Thanks folks.

    On a side note, I started using chocolatey and really like it. More than half the software I need is there.

    For a home router, I use ASUS and Merlin's firmware. anyone using this or other open firmware? Anyone using DSN over TLS at the router level?

    For firewall control, anyone using Windows Firewall Control? I have use cases where I need to block certain domains, and this seems like an easy solution.
     
  3. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    If you want to get crazy about internet traffic you can use something like Little Snitch which lets you allow/deny incoming and outgoing connections per application based on individual IP addresses (which sets up rules for future connections) but the danger with this kind of thing is the allow/deny pop ups are disruptive and so people tend to just approve, or approve too broadly just to get rid of them. It’s similar to requiring an admin password to do trivial tasks, in theory it improves security but you get desensitized to the request and so when something comes along that you really should pay attention to it doesn’t get the scrutiny it deserves.
     
  4. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    I used Enpass self-hosted with SyncThing to sync it for awhile, like you switching away from 1P when they went cloud-hosted subscription (plus I had my kids on Linux and they didn't support it then). However, I need to make things "simple" for my wife in case something happens to me, so just in December switched back to 1P. They support Linux now, ironically my kids are on Apple devices now.

    Home routing/firewall is done by a Ubiquiti ERx box. Excellent in every way, massive performance and software updates! No DSN over TLS for me though; ethernet via cable modem into the ERx. ERx also acts as a DHCP server for the network. Wifi via a Ubiquiti AmpliFi that allows me to segregate all the spying Chinese-made devices onto another network that has no visibility to anything but the internet.

    I enable the firewall on all the macs, but no antivirus. Local DNS server set up using CoreDNS with a block list to filter ads/pr0n/gambling for the kids' safety. DNS servers are running OpenBSD, the most secure OS out there.

    CoreDNS was surprisingly easy to set up, and can run on a RaspberryPi or equivalent.
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    The takeaway I’ve gotten from most security experts on password managers is just f'ing use one. Find one you like and stick with it. Bitwarden and Keepass are there if you must have open source software, otherwise get whichever password manager you like best and has the features you want. I’ve been using 1Password for years and I’ve played around with others, including LastPass, Bitwarden, multiple Keepass forks, and even some unique one offs here and there. Every time I’ve come back to 1Password. The subscription pricing is like $36 a year which given how much I use it is a bargain.

    Unless you’re a rebel fighter in a war torn country or a government whistleblower, any of the major name password managers will work for you and they’re all better than nothing. I suggested to my wife she use LastPass because their free tier is sufficient for basic use. If Bitwarden had existed back then I would have suggested that for her instead.
     
  6. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

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    Do any of you guys have experience with Comet search? I managed to pick it up and none of the tutorials I found work for removal. Windows 10 & Google
     
  7. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I just got notified from LastPass that the free version will now only work on one device type (as of March 2021). Pick computer, and it only works on computers. Pick mobile, and it only works on mobile. Want both? Pay.

    Time to check out Bitwarden.
     
  8. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Thanks for the heads-up... you'd think they would have sent out a notice to current freebie users.

    FWIW, you had to know this day was coming... they have to do something to monetize the software. I don't know anyone that was paying for it (and as long as the price is reasonable, I'll probably pay rather than go thru the effort of transferring to something else).

    -------edit----------
    Now that I click on the Lastpass button in my browser I see that they do have a notification there. I never have to click on that button and never would have seen the notification.

    ------edit2--------
    $48/yr for 6 family members is a winner in my book...
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2021
  9. Biodegraded

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    I transferred to Bitwarden earlier today. It's a bit clunky, but I'm getting used to it. One frustration was when logged in with Chrome, the Chrome extension kept telling me I wasn't and therefore wouldn't come up with suggestions for newly-opened login tabs and wouldn't allow access to a number of options mentioned in the help. The trick is to log in to Bitwarden via the extension, not via a new browser tab, and fool with the settings in there.

    Exporting my Lastpass data and getting it into Bitwarden was remarkably quick and painless following the steps here: https://bitwarden.com/help/article/import-from-lastpass/

    The Android app seems pretty good too.

    @dasman66 , I'm a free user and received an email from them (as I gather from his post Allan did too). Maybe it hit your spam folder?
     
  10. strid3r

    strid3r New

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    I'm also in the process of shopping around now that LastPass is changing their free tier service. I've heard a lot of good feedback on Bitwarden, so I'm leaning that way. The price is also quite reasonable for the Premium level ($10/year). I've heard 1Password is also good, but it's relatively pricier at $36/yr. Hearing that exporting data from LastPass into Bitwarden is another plus.
     
  11. bobmysterious

    bobmysterious Facebook Friend

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    Another 1Password user here. It's been doing it's job for me very well for quite some time. It's user friendly, unobtrusive, and stable. Can't recommend it highly enough. I'm stubborn and haven't signed up for a premium plan yet though. Not necessarily opposed to it, just would rather spend the money buying music or literally anything else.
     
  12. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    The email actually showed up about a hour ago. I have 5 people using the free version of LastPass. For me, it's worth the $48 for the family version to not have to deal with researching a new package and then getting everyone switched over on their multiple devices (win10, macbooks, andoids, iphones... we run the gamut of every device I saw listed on their site).
     
  13. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Keeper is what I've been using for years. I do pay for it though. Can recommend.
     
  14. supertransformingdhruv

    supertransformingdhruv Almost "Made"

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    Just hopped to bitwarden myself. So far so good, though the one weirdness I’m encountering is a 3-6 second lag on iOS when I invoke the password autofill via the keyboard.

    Bitwarden’s got an interesting pricing model. The free tier gives you unlimited devices, and the premium tier gives you better 2fa (with yubikeys, bitwarden’s own auth, etc) and some encrypted file storage. Doesn’t look like any other the other password managers in that regard.
     
  15. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    what about multiple Lastpass accounts setup using different emails?
     
  16. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    Well, LastPass' UI was pretty lame, at least compared to 1Password, so I already wasn't thrilled with it. Sure, I could have two accounts, but the passwords wouldn't sync between them.

    I will start to use the free version of Bitwarden, then if I like it, I will set up my own server. If that doesn't work out, I might jsut get a subscription to 1Password. Reviews of 1Password on windows aren't great, but hopefully it will get better
     
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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  18. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Just out of curiosity, the site states "If you are currently using a password manager software like 1Password, LastPass, Roboform, or iCloud Keychain, you should pick an alternative here."

    But then gives no explanation as to what is wrong with those packages and why the ones they recommend are better/more private. It would be helpful if they stated where those solutions fall short and why they recommend against them.
     
  19. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    PrivacyTools only recommends open source software. All the commercial password managers (except Bitwarden) are closed source, which immediately disqualifies them from inclusion on PrivacyTools. And since their recommendations are designed for maximum privacy and security, they're going to recommend you switch away from closed source programs.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Are you still using BitWarden?

    paging @YMO who would like to know how to self-host but needs a for-dummies guide
     

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