* Have you ever forgotten a password, or a user name, or some other piece of important information?

* Do you have a system for remembering your passwords but forgot the system?

* Do you avoid registering for things because you can't cope with yet another password?

* Would you like to keep all your important details safe and remember just one single password?

* Would you like to find a free tool that will solve all your problems?

I had the same problems and more for years, I was getting so frustrated trying to remember all this important security stuff that I got to the point where something had to be done. It isn't just Internet passwords either, what about bank card PIN numbers, credit cards PIN's, passwords for the telephone answering machine. The list goes on and on and it never stops getting bigger and bigger.

*** Good News - I Found a free Solution ***

I've been using a utility called KeyPass for some time now and it's made my life a lot easier. I would like to show you how it can make your life easier too.

First of all take a look at my review of this program at: http://howdo-i.com/keypass.shtml

Now take a look at the tutorial at: http://www.codeproject.com/tools/KeePass.asp

If you have read the review and you think that KeyPass can be of use to you, follow the instructions below to download and start using it to manage your passwords.

1. Download And Install KeyPass

Download the latest stable version of KeyPass from http://keepass.sourceforge.net/download.php

Now this is not the easiest of web sites to download stuff from so if the instructions for downloading look too daunting or you have any trouble with the download then please email me at steve@howdo-i.com and I will email it to you.

The source code is available for this program but you can ignore it unless you are a developer.

Click the link: "Download from one of the SourceForge.net download servers". This will take you to another web page where you should locate the 'setup' download for 32 bit windows link. (It only works on Windows.) Clicking on this link will take you to a further page allowing you to choose the server to download from. Choose a server close to you and click the icon in the download column.

The file should begin to download after you have specified a location for it on your hard drive. When the download is complete click on the file and install it.

2. Start KeyPass and create a database

Click the KeyPass icon on your desktop to run it then select 'New Database' from the 'File' menu. Enter a password for

Select 'Save Database' from the 'File' menu and select a suitable folder and filename for the database then click 'Save'.

You have now created a password database.

3. Add some entries to the database

Right click in the left hand pane of the KeyPass window and select 'Add Password Group' from the context menu. Type "Test" into the box and click 'OK'. This creates a new group folder called 'Test' into which you can add entries.

Left click on the 'Test' group in the left hand pane then right click in the right hand pane. Select 'Add Entry' from the context menu.

Make up something for the Title, Username, URL and Password.

Notice that clicking the '...' button to the right of the Password field toggles between masked and unmasked view. When the password is unmasked you can copy and paste it into another application.

KeyPass automatically generates a password in the 'Add Entry' dialogue so you can use this one if you wish or type in your own. Clicking on the 'Gen' button underneath the '...' gives you KeyPass's 'Password Generator' where you can easily create a password without having to dream one up.

click 'OK' to commit the entry to the database.

Add some more groups and entries by repeating the above process.

4. Set options

Select 'Options' from the 'Edit' menu then click the 'Start and Exit' tab.

Check 'Automatically open last used database on startup'. Check 'Automatically save database on exit'. Check 'Remember last opened.

then click 'OK'

5. Save and Close

Close the KeyPass window. When you open it again it will load up your database for you after you have entered the master password.

Well that's all there is to it. You can now add all of your passwords into your new database and recall them whenever you want.

If you are still undecided whether to start using KeyPass then take another look at my review at: http://howdo-i.com/keypass.shtml

And take another look at the KeyPass tutorial over at http://www.codeproject.com/tools/KeePass.asp for a better understanding of the application.

If you have any questions about this article or you have a request for a future "HowDo-i" please email me at steve@howdo-i.com.

Steve Garratt is a professional Software engineer dedicated to helping the average person get the most out of their computers and the Internet. Benefit from Steve's Experience by subscribing to the newsletter at http://howdo-i.com.

steve@howdo-i.com