In 2022, over 130,000 German users were affected by cyberattacks, primarily targeting passwords. Steganos has introduced a comprehensive password manager to enhance security, featuring efficient installation and a user-friendly interface. It allows for secure password storage and management, alongside multiple data record options, including bank details. Unique features like PicPass and advanced encryption methods bolster security, but the software’s reliance on strong master passwords is crucial. A 30-day free trial is available, with subscription options afterward.
In 2022, more than 130,000 users of PCs and smartphones in Germany became targets of cyberattacks. This alarming statistic comes from a report released by the Federal Criminal Police Office in 2023, highlighting that hackers are primarily after one crucial element: your passwords.
Cybercriminals exploit stolen passwords to seize control over your finances, identity, and various online accounts. Fortunately, you can protect yourself with a reliable and secure password manager. Steganos, a brand recognized for its comprehensive security software, including data protection and VPN services, presents a solution in the form of its password manager.
Marketed as an all-encompassing tool, the Steganos Password Manager certainly piqued our interest. We were eager to evaluate its offerings right away.
Installation and Initial Setup
Before diving into the benefits of the password manager, we needed to install the software on our test device, a Windows PC. The download and installation process was seamless and took mere seconds. However, to access the features of the Steganos product, we first needed to create a mySteganos account using our email address and a password.
Getting Started
Once our account was set up, the Steganos Password Manager launched automatically. An introductory help window appeared, guiding us through our first steps. We could choose to create a new keychain for our passwords, import an existing keychain, or restore from a backup. We opted to create a new keychain.
As is standard with password managers, our new keychain is protected by a master password, which serves as the gateway to our stored passwords. It is vital that this master password is robust, but it is equally important that you remember it. Without this master password, access to your stored data, including all passwords, is lost.
The software includes a security gauge that indicates the strength of the master password. However, it does not enforce any minimum security standards, meaning you could potentially set a weak password, which is certainly not recommended. Ideally, the program would restrict passwords to those meeting a certain security threshold.
Diverse Password Options
Many users, especially those less experienced, might not grasp the risks associated with weak passwords. Consequently, simple combinations like ‘1234’ and ‘password’ remain popular.
In addition to traditional alphanumeric passwords, Steganos offers a unique method for password creation using images known as PicPass. We will explore this feature shortly. For now, we chose to generate a conventional password secured with two-factor authentication and stored it safely on an external hard drive.
Of course, it’s essential to keep this backup in a secure location, ensuring that additional barriers protect your password vault from unauthorized access, while also providing an emergency entry point if needed. Let’s review our created keychain.
User Interface and Features
To our delight, the Steganos Password Manager allows for the storage of more than just passwords. The software accommodates records for bank accounts, credit cards, and various identities, with easy navigation via tabs at the top of the program window.
Alternatively, you can view all your records compiled in one space, though managing a growing number of entries can become cumbersome, despite alphabetical organization. Steganos offers two display options to assist with organization.
Organized Menus
The user interface of the Steganos Password Manager is well-structured and more visually expansive compared to some simpler alternatives. However, this does not detract from its usability. Creating new entries, such as passwords or financial data, is easily done via the menu located above the category tabs.
The program offers options to enter various details regarding your saved records. Not only can you input your password and the corresponding website, but you can also include your username, set reminders for password changes, and even attach relevant files if needed.
You can edit, duplicate, or delete entries with a simple right-click, or choose to copy a password for manual input into your browser. Thanks to its autofill feature, manual entry is often unnecessary, as you can decide per password whether it should autofill during website logins.
This functionality streamlines the process, especially for those who frequently navigate multiple accounts. Our testing indicated that the autofill generally performed well, as long as the correct URL was provided. A few sites presented issues, but common platforms rarely yielded errors.
It’s clear that the Steganos Password Manager is far more comprehensive than just a basic tool for storing usernames and passwords in a simple