Passwordstate’s Browser Extensions allow for the secure saving and retrieval of your password credentials using the Passwordstate vault. These credentials can then be used to autofill your website’s user name and password fields, streamlining the login process.
This automated process makes it easier for your end-users to have strong, individual passwords for all websites they visit. This is crucial in minimising potential attack vectors and is considered one of the best practices in protecting your personal and corporate data and systems.
All the details in this blog apply to the new Extensions for Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Firefox Browsers. As always, we welcome your feedback via support@clickstudios.com.au.
Enabling the URL Field
First, you’ll need to create a private password list by using the Add Private Password List Wizard. You can enter any name you wish for the new Private Password List and make sure you select the Web Site Logins template from the Template drop down box
Click Next and you’ll be presented with a screen to confirm your settings. Click on Finish to create the Private Password List.
Once completed the URL field is enabled. This is required for Browser Extensions to be able to save passwords. You can confirm the URL field is enabled by navigating to the Edit Password List Properties -> Customize fields tab
Adding Browser Extensions
The example used here is with the new Chromium Edge Browser. Simply go to the Edge Settings on the right hand side of your Browser, click on … and select Extensions
This will take you to the settings page where you’ll need to click on Get extensions from Microsoft Store. Search for Passwordstate in the search box and click on the Passwordstate result that is returned.
Next, click Get and then Add extension button. This will install the extension, which will appear red until you are connected to your Passwordstate instance.
Simply logon to Passwordstate using your normal credentials and the Browser Extension will turn from red to dark grey. You can now begin saving and using password credentials for your web based logins.
Using Browser Extensions
Searching for Website Credentials, Linking to Records and Passwordstate
You can use the Browser Extension to quickly search for Web Sites that you have logins for. Simply click on the Passwordstate Browser Extension and enter the Web Site name I the search dialog box
In this example we’re searching for reddit. This will search your Private Password List for a matching entry and return the title of the login, your username, the Password List where it is stored and the description of the login.
Clicking on the chain icon that is presented to the right of the text will take you directly to the Password record allowing you to change elements of that record
You can also link directly to your Passwordstate instance by clicking on Passwordstate Web Site button
Generating Passwords and Setting Preferences
You can generate new passwords direct from the Browser Extension. These can be generated by using any one of a number of different Password Generators available in the Choose Password Generator drop down box. Simply select a Generator and click New. Once generated you can copy the new password to the clipboard or apply it to the field for the currently active Web Site.
Under Preferences you’ll find options to enable Auto-Fill of your Web Site logins with your saved credentials, enable the Icon Overlay, specify which Password List to be used by default and also the default Password Generator to be used.
Reporting Site Issues
The Internet has literally millions of different Web Sites that have been developed using different technologies and standards. In the event that you come across a Web Site that doesn’t work properly with the Browser Extension you can report the issue to Click Studios by selecting the Report Site Issue.
Please supply as much information as possible, including the type of Browser you are using, the Web Site URL, your Email address and a detailed description of what happens. This will help us to analyse why the Browser Extension doesn’t work with that particular site. Please understand that because of the way that some sites have been developed it may not be possible to resolve the issue.
To disconnect your Browser Extension from your Passwordstate instance simply click on Logout
Capturing and Selecting Login Credentials
When entering your login credentials for a web site for the first time you’ll be prompted with the following screen. The example below is based on a login for Facebook. This will allow you to specify the Password List you wish to save the credentials to, the Username and Password you’ve just entered and the ability to add a description for the credentials.
To save the record to your Passwordstate vault click Save. Clicking on Ignore will prevent the web site from asking you to save any future logins and clicking on Close will close the dialog box without performing any action.
Once the credentials are saved, they will be automatically populated into the correct fields for you every time you open that web site login page. All you are required to do is click on the log in button.
If you have 2 or more logins for a particular web site, when browsing to it the Passwordstate Browser Extension will show the number of login credentials you have saved for that site. In this example we’re using Imgur and have 2 separate logins.
Simply click on Show Matching Logins and then select the correct set of credentials to login to the web site.
Alternatively, you can select the correct credentials to use from the Icon Overlay that is shown in the Login fields. Simply click on the Icon Overlay and you’ll be presented with the Log in as dialog box
Keyboard Shortcuts
Lastly there are predefine keyboard shortcuts available under Extensions->Keyboard shortcuts. All the shortcuts shown below are configurable if you’d prefer to specify your own key combinations.
To watch the full video tutorial for this blog please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnfJvgaRj4