Roland Waddilove takes a new look at this updated password manager, which now addresses what happens after you die
Passwords have been in the news recently, and the most popular ones have been published on the web. It takes seconds to find them using Google or Bing. How many of yours are on the list? If you use a password manager like LastPass, then there's no excuse for insecure passwords that are easily guessed by hackers or Googlers, and they can be as complex as you like. LastPass remembers them all for you and the password manager has been upgraded to version 4.
LastPass is available as extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera. Also, there apps for iOS and Android phones and tablets, and even support for Mac OS X and Linux. Almost all interaction with LastPass is through the browser extension. It detects forms, signup and login pages, and when you fill them in, it asks if you want to save them. It encrypts them, stores them and syncs them with other computers and devices you use, so your passwords are available everywhere.
On subsequent visits to websites, LastPass automatically fills in the login details. It doesn’t work with every site, but it works with most. It copes with multiple logins for sites too – for example, if you have different accounts. You can select the user name from a drop-down list, and it inserts it with the password. LastPass detects when a password is required and offers to create one, consisting of complex combinations of numbers, letters and symbols.
LastPass can be used for free on your desktop computer, but if you want to have access to your passwords on mobile devices, then an annual subscription is required. It's only $1 a month (£0.70), which is so small an amount you don’t notice it. Mobile access is essential, because if you use complex passwords for everything, and you should, you'll be locked out of websites and services on your phone and tablet. With the LastPass app, you can access your account and copy user names, passwords and other information.
The main change to LastPass 4 is the redesigned website. The list view of sites with login details is still there, although it's a bit smarter. There's a new tiled view, and site logos are displayed, which makes it easy to find sites. One click opens a browser tab, goes to the site and logs in.
Shared folders can be created and sites added to them. You invite people to access it and choose whether they can see passwords or make changes. The idea is that instead of emailing someone a password, which is insecure, you share it on LastPass.
The most interesting new feature is Emergency Access. In the event of an accident or death, your partner or family might need to access bank accounts to pay bills and sort out your affairs. You add people you trust to LastPass and choose a time delay of up to 30 days. If you’re not actually dead when they try to access your account, you can revoke access rights. This is a useful way of addressing what happens should the worst happen.
I cannot think of a password manager that offers so much for so little money. Roland Waddilove
A great password manager, and well worth the price.