SamuraiSafe
SamuraiSafe is a password manager for iOS and macOS. It has a simple, clean interface, is highly secure, and is free. Your data is only stored where you allow it. You can generate and audit passwords, sync to multiple devices, and create password groups. Any textual information may be stored. Each password entry may contain an arbitrary length secure note.
See more detail on SamuraiSafe features, and also some comments on design philosophy.
You can read about why SamuraiSafe was created and who developed it.
Downloads
Samurai Search
Recursively search source code and text files for a pattern, then open matched files in your favourite editing/viewing app.
Supports flexible search options, including regular expressions. Files searched can be selected from standard or custom text file types.
Search folders can be selected from On My iPad, iCloud Drive or external file providers (e.g SMB share). Saved search folders are retained by the app where possible.
Notes:
- Some third party file providers don’t currently provide external folder access (eg Google Drive and Dropbox).
- If an iCloud Drive folder is selected, the Download iCloud Files option will appear. This option, when enabled, will download iCloud files in selected iCloud Drive folders that match the file type (file extension) criteria, if they are known, yet not downloaded on the device.
- Typically this needs to be only run once before a set of search queries. For this reason the option resets after use. It is re-enabled if the file type criteria are changed. It can also be enabled manually.
Share Sheet Issue:
- Sometimes when trying to open a file via the share sheet, nothing will happen. This seems to be a one-off occurrence after a new install of the app, and appears to be resolved by quitting then restarting the app. Resolved in V1.8
Downloads
Password Security News
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Kaspersky Password Manager: All your passwords are belong to us
The psuedo random number generator (PRNG) being used to generate passwords for the Kaspersky Password Manager was very weak, and wasn’t not suitable for crytographic use. It was being seeded by the current time (in seconds), which meant that every instance of the Kaspersky Password Manager in the world would generate the exact same password at a given second. it was therefore very easy to bruteforce. It has subsequently been updated.
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If Hackers Crack a Six-Digit iPhone Passcode, They Can Get All Your Passwords
This article points out that if your iOS passcode is discovered, your passwords stored in the iOS KeyChain will be exposed. This is correct. The solution is to store your passwords somewhere else. Like SamuraiSafe.
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Dangers of auto-fill in web browsers
SamuraiSafe resisted adopting password autofill of web pages within the web browser, as the implementations were often vulnerable to compromise. SamuraiSafe now adopts Apple’s AutoFill Credential Provider Extension interface which is built into iOS/iPadOS. It aims to avoid such vulnerabilities.
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Revisiting Security Vulnerabilities in Commercial Password Managers
An analysis of five popular commercial password managers discussing previously disclosed vulnerabilities and exploits for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Many of the previously reported vulnerabilities have been found to persist.
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Should you be concerned about a password manager that uploads passwords to its server?
An attack on server API used by a popular password manager. The exploit tricks the password manager server to disclose your encryption key. It arises from an interaction between a trusted extension user interface with web applications.
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Recovering the Master Password from a Locked Password Manager
By analysing password managers in running states on Windows 10, ISE found a fatal flaw in an otherwise good password manager. This type of exploit requires malicous access to the OS, so potentially applies to macOS (or a jailbreaked/compromised iOS).
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Diceware passwords now need six random words to thwart hackers
Diceware is an effective way of generating strong passwords by rolling dice. Ars notes the creator now recommends using six words where five were previously recommended. The SamuraiSafe passphrase feature is modelled on Diceware but uses a larger word list (~21,000 vs 7,776 for Diceware).
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Why you still can’t trust password strength meters
Naked Security explains why you can’t trust (most) password strength meters. SamuraiSafe uses the password strength meter that was the best performing: ZXCVBN from DropBox.
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Why should I use a password manager?
Should You Use a Password Manager? discusses the pros and cons of using a password manager. Am I An Idiot for Still Using a Password Manager? questions the risks of managers that store your data server side.