S10 Password Vault

CNET Editors' review

Secure password managers store passwords, user names, logon details, and other personal information under the protection of a master password with strong encryption. Accommodating widely varying logon procedures and steps has been their weak spot, but we looked at a free password manager designed to automatically log on to a wide range of Web sites--even secure sites--as well as launch programs, e-mail accounts, and other tasks, via hotkeys or from an easily customizable folder view. It's called S10 Password Vault.

When we launched S10 Password Vault, it prompted us to create a master password--one as long as possible, with letters, numbers, and other characters, or even phrases or sentences. Be sure to remember it; the master password can't be recovered or reset if you forget it. The program uses a series of configurable hotkey commands to launch Web sites, programs, processes, and other accounts you create via a compact interface that resides in the system tray. The program's default view shows a series of folders with labels like Banking, Email, Websites, and Work, but it's easy to customize the folders to suit--subfolders, too. We right-clicked a folder called Shopping and created an Account for a shopping site, which involved entering an account name, our user name and password, an address, and the title of the window, which S10 Password Vault reads for security. We created a custom logon sequence, telling the program to activate the Tab key, enter our user name, press Enter, and then wait one second before entering our password. This process took a little trial-and-error since we had to clear the existing cookies and logon data and set the sequence of actions. However, we were soon able to securely log on to a site via the hotkeys as well as by clicking Launch on the folder's menu. The program can also generate strong random passwords to use with your accounts. The Tools menu had a few interesting extras, including the ability to synchronize passwords between different PCs running this program.

We're impressed with S10 Password Vault's ability to store secure passwords and automatically open and log on to Web sites, programs, and other processes. It's far more flexible and customizable than any other secure password manager we've tried.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.5 stars

    out of 19 votes

    • 5 star: 5
    • 4 star: 8
    • 3 star: 1
    • 2 star: 1
    • 1 star: 4
  • Current version:

    3.2 stars

    out of 8 votes

    • 5 star: 3
    • 4 star: 2
    • 3 star: 0
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 3
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-8 of 8

  • 4.0 stars

    "Works fine, ease of use"

    May 12, 2013  |   By facehoo

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    Easy, good encryption of passwords, simple graphical interface

    Cons

    limited options

    Summary

    I still have to figure out how I can determine which browser the software has to use when none is default. Sometimes it uses firefox or IE. All in one nice application if one needs a program with no unnecessary stuff, just what it is made for

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Would not let me set Master Key"

    April 22, 2013  |   By gpachal

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    Free software
    Sounds like a good product

    Cons

    Could not get the Master Key set screen; it kept bringing up the sign in screen.
    Help page offers no troubleshooting information on this topic.
    Internet searches also brought no answers.
    CNET Bloatware installer: have to read all print on all pages to avoid getting loaded with bloatware. Suggest using alternative site to download from.

    Summary

    Running Windows 7 Home Premium; don't think this should be a problem.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Best password manager out of the many I've used."

    December 15, 2012  |   By scoolsnake

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    Passwords are stored encrypted on your computer, not in the cloud. That always concerned me. It has a good help screen, which I didn't really have to use very much. I've changed all my passwords with the password generator. I never did that with the other managers. Afraid they would get lost. Easy to print them out after changing. They were also easy to tranfer to my other computers. The drag and drop works great, but I discovered a few short cuts, so I don't have to use it. I'm not looking for anymore password managers. Oh yeah, for the tag along junk that comes with it. Just uncheck the squares when installing. It's free unless you want to donate. It made me want to donate.

    Cons

    Setting up accounts takes a little more work, but worth it for my peace of mind. Not as automatic as some of the others, but alot better than trying to keep up with all the passwords.

    Summary

    I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, I'm going to set it up on my family and friends computer so they don't use the same password on all their accounts. Like I did for years.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "S10 installed with funmoods malware"

    November 18, 2012  |   By Joe_New

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    None AFAIK.

    Cons

    S10 installed from CNET with 'funmoods' malware!
    It was rather confusing (for a beginner to password managers). I didn't keep it long enough to learn the ropes.

    Summary

    This password manager was hard to grasp for this newbie at using such programs.
    But the real killer was, it installed from CNET with 'funmoods' malware! Curses! Highjacked my default search engine, my browser settings, and my homepage. I just hope Advanced Uninstaller PRO was able to get rid of it all.
    So, IMHO, it's a big NO.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "GREAT PASSWORD MANAGER AT ALL"

    November 14, 2012  |   By capitanflorius

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    The program is a must have.
    It is free
    It is great.
    It allows you to set different folders where you place your accont in order to have a more orderly.

    Cons

    No cons at all.

    Summary

    From the reviews I read on this page that some users are not getting well with this software.
    I provide below some information on how this program works:
    On my computer the operating system is window seven and goes very well.
    Well, create a folder (or use one of those of program defaul) and in this folder an account in with write all the necessary data: title for quick recognition, the URL address of the page where you normally enter the access data, userid, password, and any comments.
    We can make different folders containing different accounts.
    When we're done, click an account and opens in the default browser the page where you enter the userid and password (but it's not necessary insert data manually, this program does it automatically).
    Here's how:
    In the page above use shorcut (customizable): "citrl + alt + L" so userid and password are entered automatically and run.
    But first make sure that the blinking cursor be active in the first field (the field of userid.)
    As you can see, it is easy to use and throw everything (even the login cnet).
    The program use little RAM and few resources and too little disk space.
    This program is a must have. I recommand to all users.
    Very fine, very cool,
    THE BEST.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "One of, if not the best password manager for Windows!"

    September 29, 2012  |   By se7six

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    VERY lightweight
    Easy To Use
    Custom Auto Login Commands
    256-bit Encryption
    FREE

    Cons

    Not a single one!

    Summary

    I see bad reviews of this great little gem and I don't agree with them. Once you figure out how to use S10 properly and how to set up custom auto logins you will love it! It even works great with complicated multiple page logins.

    I ditched Password Safe and also Keepass for S10 and haven't looked back since. Both of those are great programs as well but for me S10 is the clear winner in all areas.

    Highly recommended!

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  • 1.0 stars

    "A Password Manager That Does Nothing"

    September 22, 2012  |   By EricVonZipper

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    Free is the only one.

    Cons

    Does not auto login, does not manually login, it does nothing at all.

    Summary

    Followed the instructions and created a master password, filled in an account for my Hotmail but it wouldn't auto login (even though it was set to do so) wouldn't do anything. Disgusting! It's amazing someone actually has this on CNET to waste people's time with.

    Updated on Sep 30, 2012

    No auto-capture, no auto-login - it's just a clipboard with a password.

    Updated on Oct 29, 2012

    One of the WORST damn password managers (and I use the term loosely) ever. Will not login to Wal-Mart sign in page, Verizon.net sign in page - that was enough for me. Watched the video some guy made to show how to do a custom login - no way, no how will this thing work. More crap than a cow feed lot! Better fiddle with a Rubiks Cube, it's more productive.

    Updated on Nov 10, 2012

    Download the S10 4.1 from softpedia.com or softronics - those actually work and work good! S10 download is less than 1 MB, and it runs about 1 MB in memory - so light it almost isn't there. I recommend S10 highly - just don't download it from CNET!

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  • 4.0 stars

    "works fine"

    August 28, 2012  |   By DC2349

    Version: S10 Password Vault 4.1

    Pros

    Not difficult to setup. Does what I need it to do.

    Cons

    Still can't get it to work on auto log in but it could just be my fault.

    Summary

    It does what I need it to do..store my passwords and creates a high rating password if I need it to. I had used MyPadlock until it went screwy. I just needed a simple way to store all my passwords. It works easily with Windows 7 and so far hasn't caused any problems with my anti-virus protection. I would recommend this program. It's easy to use and that is a plus. I use it with Goggle Chrome as my browser.

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Results 1-8 of 8

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S10 Password Vault