Take Control of 1Password
Author: Joe Kissell
Publisher : TidBITS Publishing, Inc.
Price: $10.00
148 pages, ebook format
ISBN: 9781615424283
Unless you live under a rock or are new to the Internet, no doubt you’ve heard of 1Password. On the off chance you haven’t, 1Password is a full-featured password manager that works with Macs, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android. It’s the one app I’ve downloaded on all my devices, no questions asked, since 2007. With all these years of experience you’d think I’d be a 1Password expert. I’m not, so I turned to the expert, Joe Kissell, who’s written yet another fabulous book, Take Control of 1Password.
Take Control of 1Password should be required reading for all 1Password users. Whether you use 1Password as a simple password manager or you’re more of a power user, 1Password can be a little confusing due to all its features beyond creating passwords. Kissell, as he’s done with past Take Control books, explains the ins and outs of 1Password that’s easy to understand yet goes deep into the intricacies that help you get the most out of the application.
The book begins with an introduction to 1Password and a quick start to learn the basics. For new users, the chapter entitled Meet 1Password is mandatory reading, as Kissell explains how to configure 1Password, choose a secure master password, install browser extensions, create logins for web sites, and tweak the settings to the users own specifications. This chapter alone is worth the $10 price of the book.
For users with more 1Password experience or are more comfortable diving in with both feet, Take Control of 1Password does not disappoint. Kissell shares tips and tricks to get the most out of this powerful application. Tired of having to retype your master password on your iOS device every time you leave 1Password? Are there web sites you go to on a regular basis that you’d like easier access to? Would smart folders or tags make your life easier? Kissell discusses all the above and more in Take Control of 1Password.
(Here’s a hint that you may already know, but it’s worth repeating: many web sites ask you to answer security questions, such as “What’s your mother’s maiden name?†or “What high school did you attend?†You don’t have to tell the truth, but you do have to remember the answer. Make a secure note in 1Password for the particular web site with your answer. So the next time the web site asks for your high school you can respond with “king tissue is not a calculator†or “4&gT10cvE#Adwâ€)
While reading Take Control of 1Password on my iPad I was furiously highlighting passages and following along with 1Password open on my MacBook Pro. It was amazing how much I didn’t know or was unclear about with 1Password. An important section of the book hit home with me. Perform a Password Security Audit showed me how some of my passwords haven’t been changed in many years, and how others were incredibly weak or duplicates. That’s no longer the case, as I immediately changed those passwords to unique and secure ones.
The news is constantly publicizing security breaches and stolen passwords from major companies, Target being the most recent one as of this writing. Having a strong password for every web site you use, and frequently changing those passwords, will help keep your online identity and information safe. I’ve been a long-time fan of 1Password and of Joe Kissell’s Take Control books. Put them both together and you have a first-rate foundation for password security.
MyMac.com Review Rating: 10 out of 10