Archives For November 30, 1999

The KeePass password manager now is at version 2.55. Here are the new features and PPA repository for all current Ubuntu releases.

KeePass 2.54 now uses the enforced configuration file for the triggers, global URL overrides, password generator profiles and a few more settings. See more about enforced configuration.

As well, there’s now new ‘Enforced Options’ dialog for storing certain options in the enforced configuration file. User can open it by going to menu 'Tools' -> 'Advanced Tools' -> 'Enforce Options'.

The ‘Print’ and ‘Export’ command in most report dialogs now requires the ‘Print’ application policy and ‘Export’ application policy flag, and the master key must be entered.

Other changes in KeePass 2.54 include:

  • Hide passwords and other sensitive data by default in report dialogs.
  • Support hiding the value via asterisk in single line edit dialogs
  • Like on Windows, commands that require elevation now have a shield icon in Linux/macOS.
  • add ‘Move Selected Unused Text to Dialog Control’ command.
  • Redesign export confirm dialog.
  • Disable the clipboard workarounds by default in Linux, macOS, etc.
  • Various other improvements.

How to Install KeePass 2.55 (updated) in Ubuntu via PPA

Besides building from source code, I’ve uploaded the package into this unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.10, Ubuntu 23.04 and their derivatives.

NOTE: Thanks to @AnonTester, there should be no longer “invalid data format” pop-up in every app launch. Because, I’ve made small script to sync the version number between KeePass.exe and KeePass.exe.config files during the building process.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. Then, run the command below to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

2. For old Ubuntu 18.04 & Linux Mint, you need to manually refresh package cache though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu 20.04+:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, either run the apt command below to install the package:

sudo apt install keepass2

Or use Software Updater (Update Manager) to update the package if an old version was installed on your system.

Uninstall:

To remove the software package, also open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepass2

And, remove the PPA, either by going to “Software & Updates -> Other Software” and remove the source line, or run the command below in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

The KeePassXC password manager application released version 2.7.5 today! Here are the new features and how to install guide for Ubuntu / Linux Mint users.

KeePassXC 2.7.5 add a new “Allow Screen Capture” option under “View” menu, though it seems to be for Microsoft Windows only. By enabling this option, allows to temporarily take screenshot of the app window.

Allow screenshot option for Windows.

For Linux, the release added a new rule “SingleMainWindow=true” and “X-GNOME-SingleWindow=true” in the .desktop app shortcut file. So, there will be no longer “New Window” option when right-clicking the KeePassXC shortcut icon.

Other change in KeePassXC 2.7.5 include:

  • Add support for compiling with Botan 3
  • New shortcut “Ctrl + ,” to open Settings.
  • Greatly improved performance when having large amount of entries.
  • Increase max TOTP step to 24 hours
  • Improve HTML export layout
  • Turn search reset off by default
  • Various stability and other fixes.

How to Install KeePassXC 2.7.5 via PPA in Ubuntu/Linux Mint

For all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 22.10, Ubuntu 23.10, and Linux Mint 20/21, and their based systems, KeePassXC 2.7.5 is available to install via its Official PPA repository.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. If you have an old version of KeePassXC installed as .deb package, simply launch “Software Updater” or Update Manager to update it to the latest.

Or, run the apt command below in terminal to install the password manager:

sudo apt install keepassxc

NOTE: Linux Mint has to run sudo apt update first to update cache.

After installation, search for and open the tool either from ‘Activities’ overview or system start menu depends on your desktop environment.

Uninstall KeePassXC

To uninstall the password manager installed as native .deb package, either use Ubuntu Software app or open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepassxc

And remove the PPA repository either via ‘Software & Updates‘ tool under ‘Other Software‘ tab,

or command below in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

That’s all. Enjoy!

KeePass password manager released new 2.53 version a few days ago. Here are the new features as well as PPA packages for Ubuntu users.

The new release enhanced the History tab in Edit Entry. When editing an entry, the History tab contains the ‘Dialog (unsaved)’ to represent all data entered in the current dialog, and ‘Current (TIME)’, for currently stored in the database.

As you see in the screenshot above, when selecting 2 history entries, user can click “Compare” button to get a detailed comparison between them in a new “Compare Entries” dialog.

As well, there’s now a ‘History’ option in the ‘Find’ main menu, allows to get a overview of all edit histories.

The release also added filter box, Print and Export buttons to most report dialogs (see the last 2 screenshots), including last modified entries, history, large entries, similar password clusters, password quality, history entry comparison, database file search.

Other changes in KeePass 2.53 inlcude:

  • Support for running KeePass in FIPS mode.
  • Add access keys in the ‘View’ -> ‘Sort By’ menu, entry templates menu, ‘Perform Auto-Type’ menu, and
  • Ctrl+T for the ‘Copy Time-Based OTP’, and Ctrl+Shift+T for the ‘Show Time-Based OTP’ entry data command
  • Enhance Password Depot XML import module to support the new format
  • Improvements to integrate with Edge browser.

How to Install KeePass 2.53 in Ubuntu:

For native Linux password manager, I would recommend KeePassXC. Though, it’s always good to have more choices!

There’s an unofficial PPA maintains the software package, for all current Ubuntu releases (Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, and 22.10) and their based systems.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. Then run the command below to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

2. For old Ubuntu 18.04 & Linux Mint, you need to manually refresh package cache though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu 20.04+:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, either run the apt command below to install the package:

sudo apt install keepass2

Or use Software Updater (Update Manager) to update the package if an old version was installed on your system.

4. Since KeePass 2.52, it checks ‘KeePass.exe.config’ file on every app startup. And, it will pop-up a warning dialog due to version mis-match. The exe version number (the last 5 numbers in 2.53.0.13788) auto-generates depends on when you build the package. It cannot be totally same to the one in KeePass.exe.config file, unless it happened to build at exact same time when the official KeePass team compiled the package.

  1. I can’t figure out this issue due to poor bash scripting skill, but you can workaround the issue by checking version number via command:
    monodis --assembly /usr/lib/keepass2/KeePass.exe
  2. Then edit the KeePass.exe.config file via command:
    sudo gedit /usr/lib/keepass2/KeePass.exe.config

    Replace gedit depends on your DE, or use nano that works in most Linux.

  3. In the pop-up text editor, replace “newVersion” value with the one you got in the monodis command out.

Finally, save the file and enjoy! For nano text editor, press Ctrl+X, type y and hit Enter to save.

Uninstall:

To remove the software package, also open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepass2

And, remove the PPA, either by going to “Software & Updates -> Other Software” and remove the source line, or run the command below in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

This tutorial shows how to install the latest version of KeePassXC password manager (v2.7 so far) and keep it up-to-date via the official PPA in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

The popular KeePassXC password manager released version 2.7.0 few days ago with many exciting new features. Here’s are some of them according to the release note:

  • Entry tagging
  • Unlock via Windows Hello and macOS Touch ID
  • Auto-Type overhaul.
  • Improvements to Secret Service integration (Linux)
  • Change the crypto backend from libgcrypt to Botan

KeePass 2.7 Entry tags

How to Install KeePassXC 2.7 in Ubuntu:

For those OK with the Snap package, the package is available to install directly from Ubuntu Software.

For native .deb package, the official PPA has made the package for Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 21.10.

1. Add the PPA:

Firstly, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal window. When it opens, paste the command below and hit Enter to add PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. Update package cache.

Ubuntu 18.04 user has to run the command below manually to update the system package cache, though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu 20.04 & higher.

sudo apt update

3. Install / upgrade KeePassXC

Finally, install the password manager by running command in terminal:

sudo apt install keepassxc

If an old version was already installed, just run regular updates (via Software Updater) will bring you the latest KeePassXC package.

Uninstall KeePassXC:

For any reason, you may remove the password manager by running command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepassxc

And remove the Ubuntu PPA using command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

Or, use ‘Software & Updates’ utility by removing the sources under ‘Other Software’ tab.

Using KeePassXC to store your passwords? By releasing v2.7.0 (Beta at the moment), the popular password manager introduced many exciting new features!

KDBX 4.1. The new release finally implements the KDBX 4.1 which was introduced 10 months ago via KeePass 2.48. The new version of the KDBX file format features

  • assign tags to groups;
  • optional password quality estimation;
  • remember previous parent group;
  • custom icons with names and last modification/deletion times;
  • custom data items with last modification times.

Replace all crypto libraries with Botan. Due to feature list and maintainer support, the release now replaces Argon2 library with Botan on all platforms. And, the minimum requirement is Botan 2.11.0.

Quick unlock database via Windows Hello / Apple Watch. If you’re using the software in Windows 10+, then you’re able to unlock KeePassXC database easily via a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint. And, macOS Catalina (10.15)+ may use TouchID or Apple Watch to get access.

Security improvements. Also in Windows and macOS, the new release now make KeePassXC (main & child windows) invisible for screen recording and screen shooting. It prevents malware from looking at your screen by recording your desktop or taking screenshots.

Other changes in KeePassXC 2.7.0 (Beta) include:

  • Direct write save option, which my solve problems for cloud storage and GVFS
  • Allow to specify custom backup location & filename.
  • Add group clone action.
  • Add tag functionality.
  • Implement support for hardware keys via wireless NFC
  • Add support for OpenSSH 8.2 FIDO/U2F keys
  • Add Microsoft Edge support for Linux
  • Bulk-delete and purge unused custom icons
  • Support adding custom passphrase wordlists
  • Improve attachment handling and security
  • Add option to double-click copying some entry columns.

Download / Install KeePassXC:

As the release is in beta stage, it’s not available in the official download page so far.

However, you may download the packages for Linux, Windows, and macOS from ‘Assets‘ section via the release page:

For Linux user, grab the ‘.AppImage‘ package. Add executable permission by right-clicking and going to ‘Properties -> Permissions’. And finally run it to launch the password manager.

Looking for an app to store your passwords? Secrets is a good choice for those using GNOME desktop.

“Secrets” is a free open-source password manager that integrates perfectly with GNOME desktop and provides a modern and easy to use user interface. It’s formerly Password Safe (nothing to do with pwsafe). Since v6.0, it’s called Secrets.

Secrets:

Secrets is a GTK4 app using libadwaita library to provide an adaptive UI. With it, user may create or open KeePass v4 format database in “.kdbx” files. And, it supports AES, Twofish, and ChaCha20 256-bit encryption algorithms.

Secrets add new or open database

The “.kdbx” file is used to store your passwords. While creating it, user may choose to secure it via password, key file, or password and key combination.

Secure database with password, key, or their combination

Then, each time you open the database or back from inactive, it asks for unlock the database before accessing your passwords.

Need to unlock when back from inactive

After creating / opening a database, user may add as many password entries or groups as possible. It allows to assign a color, icon, and add attachments for each entry. As well, it supports OTP tokens and expiration dates.

Assign color, icon, add attachments, & support one-time password, expiration date

All password entries are listed in the home of the database, with buttons to quickly copy username or password into clipboard. And, the data will be cleared from clipboard 30 seconds later.

Password Entries

Install Secrets:

Actually I don’t use a password manager app, because I use similar accounts and passwords in different websites. And, I wrote them down in plain text 😓. The Gnome Secrets looks really good. Maybe I’ll store passwords with it. The only downside however is that it’s only available via Flatpak package.

1. Open terminal by searching from ‘Activities’ overview. When it opens, run command to install the flatpak daemon:

sudo apt install flatpak

2. Next, install the app via command:

flatpak install https://dl.flathub.org/repo/appstream/org.gnome.World.Secrets.flatpakref

There will be hundreds of MB more install, if you’re first time installing GTK apps via Flatpak.

Once installed, search for and open it from ‘Activities’ overview and enjoy!

Uninstall Secrets:

To remove the app, simply open terminal and run command:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.gnome.World.Secrets

And run flatpak uninstall --unused to remove useless runtime libraries.

KeePass Password Safe 2.49 released with user interface improvements and minor new features. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu via PPA.

According to the release note, the new release added new dedicated context menus for custom string fields and auto-type associations in the entry dialog. Allows to copy names, values, target windows and sequences, copy and paste items, and do select all and move to actions. The button “More” is present to the right of the custom string fields and auto-type associations list to show the context menu.

The release also added optional “Auto-Type – Enabled” and “Auto-Type – Sequences” main entry list column. They are disabled by default and can be turned on via menu “View -> Configure Columns”.

KeePass 2.49 added support for importing Keeper 16.0.0 JSON files, and automatic screen reader detection based on the operating system’s screen reader parameter. Other changes include:

  • New ‘Show confirmation dialog when opening a database file whose minor format version is unknown’ option.
  • Dialog banners can now be read by screen readers
  • Added accessibility names for some controls
  • Controls in the accessibility/automation control tree are now ordered by their visual locations
  • Various accessibility enhancements and other improvements.

How to Install KeePass 2.49 in Ubuntu:

KeePass 2.x runs on Linux through Mono, the open-source .NET Framework-compatible software framework. The UI looks old. If you don’t like it, try KeePassX the native Linux password manager.

The software does not provide Linux binary package so far. Besides building from the source, you can use the unofficial Ubuntu PPA.

NOTE: I offer no warranty for any package in the PPA. Build rules and patches borrowed from the Julian Taylor’s PPA. Use it at your own risk.

1.) Firstly, open terminal from start menu and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

Type user password when it asks since sudo command need user authentication and hit Enter to continue

2.) Then run command to update package cache, though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu 20.04 & higher while adding PPA:

sudo apt update

3.) Finally install this mono based password manager package by running command:

sudo apt install keepass2

By keeping the Ubuntu PPA, next time a new release is published you’ll be able to upgrade it using system’s Software Updater (Update Manager) utility.

Uninstall KeePass2:

To remove the software package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepass2

And remove the Ubuntu PPA either via command in temrinal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

or by launching “Software & Updates” utility and removing the relevant line under “Other Software” tab.