Creating Passwords With Keychain Access

You can use the Keychain Access app on your Mac to create secure random passwords for things that are not necessarily online. For instance, you can create random ATM pins or passwords for apps and other services. You can also store these passwords in your Keychain so you have a backup in a secure place in case you forget the password later on. Check out my book The Practical Guide to Mac Security at http://macmost.com/j-macsecurity



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Comments: 14 Responses to “Creating Passwords With Keychain Access”

    Gloria Messer
    9 years ago

    I never go on any site that requires me to sign into - not google, facebook, twitter or anything else. It is ridiculous to expect people to use passwords. I never remember them - especially when you need to keep updating them. And I do not want anyone on the internet to have access to my passwords. Iris technology needs to be enacted immediately.
    All humans are getting disgusted by passwords.

      9 years ago

      If you use the Keychain, then you don't need to remember all of those passwords. Or, use 1Password or LastPass. There's no need to remember those passwords, you are right. The solution for that already exists and many people use it. On Macs it is easy since Safari supports the Keychain. I talk about all of this in my book, btw.

    Lucas
    9 years ago

    I've read about Keychain in your book, and I've watched the video. Keychain and its Mac companions seem quite robust. Why might I want any other tool—1Password or LastPass, for example? What do they do better?

      9 years ago

      Cross-platform is the main thing. Keychain only works for you if you are 100% Apple. Also, I still use 1Password a lot because it has lots of extra little features, but nothing major.

    Steve Wolf
    9 years ago

    Informative video. Thanks Gary. One question. How do I use those Safari generated passwords on my Mac when I use the browser on my PC; eg. Internet Explorer?

      9 years ago

      You can't. You'd either need to have your Mac nearby so you can look them up in Keychain Access. Or, use a third-party app like 1Password or LastPass if you are cross-platform. I use 1Password myself and have for years.

    Bob O'Neal
    9 years ago

    Does the Key Chain automatically sync across all my Apple devices?

      9 years ago

      Yes. Make sure you have it enabled in your iCloud settings. Then if you add something of your own, like a password or note, make sure you are adding it to your iCloud Keychain, not your login (local) keychain. Just tried it with a note and it synced to my other Mac in seconds.

    Raiford
    9 years ago

    I don't use iCloud. Would 1Password still work OK on both Mac's and PC's?

    Claude
    9 years ago

    Hi Gary
    I'm hesitating between 1Password and Apple Keychain. I'm not cross platform and I like simple things. However, I'm also looking for the best. Any suggestions?
    Thanks, Claude

      9 years ago

      I use both. It is so easy to use 1Password primarily, but then "accept" it every time Keychain wants to remember a web password.

    Ivan Jamieson
    9 years ago

    Hi Gary,
    I'm a little confused between the relationship of Keychain & Safari. If I open a new account with a web retailer Safari will suggest a password but not always. Should I ignore Safari & use Keychain to create a password as you describe?
    Thanks, Ivan

      9 years ago

      Safari uses Keychain to store the passwords. So those password suggestions and where they are stored when you use them (or one you assign) is the Keychain. Use the functionality in Safari when you are in Safari as it is there to make the process easier.

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