NGO in a Box - Security Edition
PASSWORD TOOLS
Passwords are the first level of protection for your computer systems and accounts. People make two major password mistakes:
1) they create simple-to-remember passwords and
2) they write their passwords down and leave them in places where others can see them (on their computer screen).
Most hackers will attempt to break into someone's system by guessing the passwords. Hackers do this with the help of password-cracking software. This software utilizes dictionaries in a variety of languages as well as common popular words to crack the passwords. To guard against this, you should create complex passwords. One of the best ways to do so is to use mnemonics and numbers.
Another common problem is that, due to the large number of passwords required in the modern world, many of us use the same password everywhere. Once this password is cracked, we are left completely vulnerable to hackers and adversaries. Think of it as letting someone look over your shoulder as you are putting in your pin to withdraw money from a bank machine.
In this CD, we have included guides about passwords and two programs to help you generate, store and protect your passwords better.
Keepass
program stores your passwords in a highly encrypted database. This database consists of only one file and can therefore be transferred from one computer to another easily. This database is locked with a master password or a key-disk. If you use a master password, you only have to remember one password or passphrase (which should be strong then!) at a time. If you lose this master password, all your other passwords in the database are lost too. The database is encrypted on the basis of mathematics, and there isn't any backdoor or a key which can open all databases. There is no way of recovering your passwords.
Version/Date: 1.06 (2006.10.16)
License/Price/Language: Free Software / No Cost / English, Spanish, French, Russian, and
more
Installation: [
Screenshots]. To install other language versions go to
this folder, copy the appropriate language file (*.lng) into the directory where KeePass was installed (e.g. C:\Program Files\KeyPass Password Safe\). Start KeePass, goto View -> Change language... and select your language. Restart KeePass.
Manual: ngo@box,
orginal - spanish,
orginal - french,
orginal - russian
Home Page: keepass.sourceforge.net
Password Safe
program stores your passwords in a secure database. It is a small and easy-to-use program, which you could also run entirely from a floppy disk. The database is locked with a master password, called 'safe combination'. All your other passwords are accessible only by entering the master password correctly. Your passwords are stored in different categories to help you retrieve them when necessary.
See also some references to the security materials:
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