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
From S10 Software:
S10 Password Vault allows you to auto-login to any website or program. You can store sernames or passwords and other account info securely on your own PC in a single file, strongly encrypted yet easily accessible using a master password. Features include launching of websites or programs, keyboard commands for auto-typing, custom login sequences, auto-lock timeout, Quick Unlock with partial master password, random password generation, secure synchronization between PCs, sharing between users, optional key file on USB drive, auto-start when Windows starts, import or export, view-all mode, print capability, anti-keylogger technology, drag-and-drop support, attachments, standalone launch scripts, and a portable version that runs from a USB drive.
What's new in this version: Version 4.1 has added copy button for the highlighted field in the info panel and fixed problem with inaccessible personal info after master password change.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 11 votes
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Current version:
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"Simple interface, good memory usage, lacks text-search"
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
As a current user of the almost overly-configurable "KeePass" program, I was looking for something as good but simpler to use (for grandparents and possibly me) and this seems to be it. It has relatively few advanced options but they seem to be the ones that matter most.
Of all the password apps I've tested, this seems like the easiest to get up and running. Auto-logins are cleverly executed and worked well for 3 or 4 sites I tested. The learning curve really isn't steep, as another reviewer claims. The ability of the app to recognized websites by their page titles is unique.Cons
A big minus is the lack of ability to search text within all password account fields, including notes. I like to be able to look up obscure references or every instance of a login with a particular email address, etc. I a search feature could be added I'd give the app 5 stars.
Summary
Very good, except for the lack of a text-search feature.
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"This was easy to set up and has been easy to use."
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
Auto-login doesn't always work, sometimes I have to use copy and paste, depending on how a site's login is set up. But I found that with other programs, too.
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"New user - appears tedious to setup complex logons"
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
Appears to be secure, and easy access to initiate logons. But the frequent configure, test, and adjustments to create the logon script causes some sites to lock you out and requires security steps to re-access your account logon.
Cons
Behaves differently on the same logon page at times
Summary
I just started using s10, and maybe time will tell
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"VERY EASY TO USE"
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
ACCESS TO WEB SITES AND LOGIN FAST AND EASY. ALSO MASTER PASSWORD ENCRYPTION AND LOTS INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PASSWORDS AND EDITING CAPABILITIES.
Cons
NONE AS OF YET
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"Not for the faint of heart"
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
Passwords are encrypted and kept locally. Does not interfere with browsing. Can be used to auto-login to just about anything.
Cons
Set Focus function doesn't work with XP and IE or Firefox (bypass this problem by inserting TABs to set focus). No instructions at all, not even a single example.
Summary
This is a tough one to rate. If you don't have technical skills, you will NOT be able to use this app. If you're an experienced technician, this may be the answer you're looking for; It was for me. This app is free... no clue what the user review before me is talking about.
An automatic Sync uses server-side resources, so there IS a $5 donation required. Easy enough to do manually and if not, the price seems more than fair to me. But, to each his own.
Updated on Oct 21, 2011 -
"sync IS NOT FREE"
Version: S10 Password Vault 4.0
Pros
seems simple and powerful
Cons
sync IS NOT FREE - a required donation of $5 a year does not make a free program
Summary
if you want a free program that syncs between multiple computers than this is not it
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"Very professional"
Version: S10 Password Vault 3.5
Pros
I am using this soft for almost a week and I can say to you all that it is very professional and helpful in what it does.
Cons
Free soft that does what it says - there are no cons
Summary
I am using this soft for almost a week and I can say to you all that it is very professional and helpful in what it does.
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"Essentially useless for websites."
Version: S10 Password Vault 3.5
Pros
No positives.
Cons
Even using "custom" feature for logins, this password manager can't manage. Won't open the correct page for Yahoo Contributor, stalls on double tab entry for Helium, stalls on the 4 tabs for DailyKos, ignores webpages for my newspapers.
Summary
Worthless except for opening my hotmail account. Sort of opens the gmail account with my keystroke help. Can't seem to "understand" or recognize the boxes on most website pages. For most of them it goes to the underlying form for signup instead of the simple name + password login page. Waste of time. Going to uninstall.
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"I'm not with S10 and I think this is worth paying for"
Version: S10 Password Vault 3.5
Pros
Lightweight, very small memory footprint, also does password generation
Cons
Uses Internet connection for help files, would be nice to be able to assign a default account if no others match a website's name
Summary
I've tried a couple of the other password keepers, but this one seemed to work the best for me. I don't have the expertise to vouch for the encryption strength, but it stores everything in a convenient file that I can back up anywhere. Easy to use and does exactly what it says with no fluff or advertisements. Peace of mind that I can put different, crazy passwords on all my accounts and this program will remember them for me.
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"Excellent product but some issues to be taken care of."
Version: S10 Password Vault 3.2
Pros
Excellent product with useful features such as drag & drop, autotype, antikeylogging.
Cons
On program start my firewall indicates that the program likes to "phone home". Should I trust my banking passwords with this?
Summary
Very useful product other than the "phone home" feature, plus has the following defect: On start of the program, to the right of the field for entering the master password there is the "options" button. On clicking this, the program crashes displaying the following message:
I may would like to add that I am using the portable version of S10 Password Vault.
"Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue."
These are the only two defects I have found. Otherwise an excellent product.
Updated on Apr 11, 2010
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