Privacy Friendly Password Generator; generating strong passwords.
Repository
https://github.com/SecUSo/privacy-friendly-passwordgenerator
Introduction
Hello there and welcome to today's review. In today's review, I'll be discussing an app called Privacy Friendly Password Generator.
I have been having issues creating/formulating my passwords, especially when the required password must include a number, an uppercase, a lowercase, and a special character. Some days ago, I came across the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app. I found a review of the app while doing my normal web surfing 馃弰. I went to the app's GitHub repository and found my way to the F-Droid download button. Afterwards, I installed and launched the app.
I was actually curious about what lied behind the app because I haven't seen a password generating app or site before. All I've ever seen is an app that randomly selects numbers. Due to my curiosity, I launched the app before doing researches concerning it. However, I can still remember the look of awe that hovered around my face (when I launched the app).
The fact that I was overwhelmed by what I saw made me go back to the GitHub repository to confirm who was behind the app. On going back to the repository, I confirmed that the app is created by the SECUSO group. I was also pleased when I saw that they have some other cool projects.
Shout-out to their teamwork!
While I was going through the other projects of the SECUSO group, I saw another unique project of theirs. But before we talk of that, let's get done with the Privacy Friendly Password Generator.
What is Privacy Friendly Password Generator?
Privacy Friendly Password Generator is a lightweight, free and open source Android project which is aimed at formulating passwords.
Privacy Friendly Password Generator is an Android application that generates passwords based on previously saved accounts and a master password.
It is a Privacy Friendly App that deterministically generates passwords from parameters and a master password.
The app was first launched on May 3, 2017, and has a total of 4 releases. The latest version (v1.0.3) of the app was launched about 3 months ago (March 28) in which there was a bug fixing. The latest version is available to both Google Play and F-Droid users. Just in case you want a direct download, you can click here.
Features
The Privacy Friendly Password Generator is a simple app and is focused on generating passwords. Nothing more, nothing less. Therefore, there's no long story about the features of the app.
- Tutorial: I really really appreciate it when project owners add a tutorial feature to their projects. That's one of the things I admire in a project.
On the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app, there's a tutorial page which guides the users. Some other projects may seem to be confusing, but the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app isn't confusing, yet it provides a tutorial for all users.
The tutorial feature has 3 different pages. The first page defines the app and its use. The second page informs the user that passwords are generated using a master password. The third page talks about characteristics of a password which is being set in an account.
The tutorial feature can still be accessed even after the initial launch of the app. When a user clicks on the three horizontally arranged lines at the top left corner of the screen, the tutorial button is shown.
I'm really grateful that the SECUSO group added the tutorial feature. It helped me, and I'm sure it'll help you too when you install the app.
- Accounts: When I launched the app, I observed that there were sample accounts which were already available. I did some tests and ended up deleting them, in order to create mine.
Without an account, there's no way a user can generate a password. Don't worry, you don't need an internet connection to create an account. To create your account, just click on the plus icon at the down right corner of the screen.
The password which will be generated depends on the account which the user created. On creating an account, the user will have to input an account name, a username (optional), the characters that'll be involved, and the length of the passwords that'll be generated.
When I created my first account, I didn't want special characters, so I unchecked the box for special characters.
Please note that the app doesn't accept screenshots (Privacy Friendly), and that's why I took most of the pictures using another device.
- Generate Password: Generating passwords is the main aim of the app. Therefore, this is the most important feature of the app. Passwords cannot be generated without an account. This means the user must either use any of the sample accounts or create his/her own account (I recommend this). Like I said earlier, the password which will be generated depends on the inputs the user gave while creating the account.
Two accounts can never generate the same password unless the exact details and master password are used (which is impossible). I ran a test to see if it is possible for the app to generate the same password for a slightly different input, and I was surprised.
I created two accounts with the same details, except for the fact that a letter in one of the account's username was a lowercase, while the other was an uppercase. I used the same master password to generate a password from each of the accounts, and was overwhelmed when I saw the big difference in the two passwords (caused by just one lowercase).
The master password is what the user needs to remember because the password generated depends on it.
To generate a password, all the user has to do is to click on the account which he/she wants to use, input his/her master password, and click on 'GENERATE'.
Comparing Privacy Friendly Password Generator with Password Generator
Both password generators are good. They are both Open source, and they are very similar and have little or no difference.
- The first thing I'll like to point out is that the Password Generator app doesn't look as simple and advanced as the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app.
Another thing I'll like to point out is that the Password Generator app is not as privacy friendly as the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app. The fact that I could screenshot a password proves it.
Lastly, the Password Generator app randomly generates passwords. Meanwhile, the Privacy Friendly Password Generator app generates passwords depending on the account and master password.
How to get started with the app
- Download and install the latest version of the app from Google Play, F-Droid or direct download.
- Launch the app
- Create an account
- Click on the account you created and input your master password.
- Click on the 'GENERATE' button.
That's all! 馃槉
You can also copy the generated password but then, you shouldn't forget your master password.
Remark
Now I can create very strong passwords without any worries of losing them. I'll just use a master password I can remember. 馃構