Open Sesame

This password manager securely stores your log-in information, and even generates more secure passwords for your accounts, but one option could leave your information vulnerable.

Open Sesame's interface is straightforward, but we weren't happy the program doesn't require users set up the main program access password on first run. You'll have to head to the file menu and choose Change Password, even the first time you enter one. Novice users who miss this step run the risk that others will open the unsecured program to view all passwords. By default, the program is set to close after 10 minutes, but you aren't given the option to change the time before Open Sesame shuts down.

Setting up your accounts is very easy. We liked the optional Open Sesame icon to easily recognize saved accounts. One click of the associated image in Open Sesame's simple interface opens the Web site and a tiny window with your log-in ID and masked password. Click the icon to the left of either field and the information is copied to the clipboard for easy pasting. The window automatically closes after 60 seconds. Despite this security measure, copying log-in information to the clipboard means it could be uncovered by other users. We were able to paste the information repeatedly in other applications, including text editors, and the password wasn't masked.

The password generator lets you select the length, but doesn't have options found in similar programs to choose alpha or numeric characters. The passwords Open Sesame generated were a mix of both, uppercase only for the alpha characters. Because Open Sesame copies your information to the clipboard, we don't recommend this program for users who share a computer. Open Sesame will suffice for frugal users seeking one place to store multiple passwords.