Password Manager Glossary

This glossary contains a list of terms and feature descriptions commonly used when discussing password managers.

Term

Definition

auto-fill

Auto-fill is when a password manager automatically fills in a web form on a web page. There are basically three ways to fill a form with a password manger.

auto-fill	The password manager automatically fills a web form when you navigate to a web page.
manual fill	The user takes an action (presses button or enters a hot key) and then the password manager fills in a web form.
prompt to fill	The password manager reminds you when it can fill a web form. You then respond to the prompt to have the password manager fill the form.

You can find password managers that use each of these methods. You will also find password managers that offer all the methods and have otiosn that let you select the one that works best for you.

auto-save

The easiest way to think of auto-save is as a recorder. The password manager records (saves to its data base) any web site login information that is not already saved in the data base. Using auto-save means that you do not have to type all the usernames and passwords you use into the data base. The password manager builds the data base for you while you work.

auto-submit

Auto-submit works in conjunction with auto-fill. After a web login form is auto-filled, auto-submit automatically "clicks" on the Login or Submit button on the web form to complete the login. Without auto-submit the user must click the Login or Submit button after the web form is filled.

browser toolbar

A toolbar that is added to the web browser that gives quick and convenient access to password manager commands.

encryption

Encryption is the process of obscuring information so that is can not be accessed without special knowledge. In most password managers, the special knowledge is the master password. The master password is used to encrypt and decrypt information in the password manager data base. Without the master password information in the password manager data base cannot be accessed.

exclude sites

Some password managers allow you to exclude sites from password manager processing. This is useful if you have some sites that you don't want the password manager to fill in.

export

Export is a means to move the password manager data base information to another location. This can be for purposes of backup or sharing of information.

form fill

Form fill is a password manager feature that allows the password manager to fill out web order forms. The user enters their personal information into the password manager one time and then the password manager uses that information to fill out web order forms. Password managers can typically fill out name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number and credit card information. Some password managers can also fill in birth date, driver's license number and other information. Because there many different web form formats most form fillers have trouble with some forms. It is best to test this feature thoroughly before selecting a product that does form filling.

highlight fields

The password manager highlights the fields it fills to make it easy to see what the password manager has filled.

import

Import is a means to retrieve exported data back into the password manager data base.

multiple browsers

Most password managers interface with web browser to fill out web forms. Almost all password managers support Internet Explorer, but if you use a web browser other than Internet Explorer it is important that you make sure the password manager you select supports the web browser you use or plan to use.

multiple credit cards

Some full featured password managers allow you to store information from multiple credit cards and select the card to use when filling a form. This is useful if you don't always use the same credit card when ordering goods or services online.

multiple languages

The form filling function of password managers is language dependent, so it is important to make sure the password manager you choose supports the language you use.

multiple users

Many password managers support multiple users. This means more than one person could have a password data base on the same computer. This is useful when multiple family member or employees share the same computer.

notes

Notes are used a couple of different ways in password managers. First, some allow you to add notes to the web login information you have saved. This is a useful place to save information about the login or the web site itself. Perhaps you want to keep track of when you created an account on the web site or the last time you changed the password. Notes provide a handy place to store miscellaneous information. The other kind of note is just a free form note that is saved in the password manager data base. It can be any text that you want to be protected by encryption. It does not have to be a password, it can be anything, for example, a PIN number or a combination to a safe or safety deposit box.

password generator

A password generator creates random passwords of a user selected length. The more random the password the greater security it provides. Not all password managers contain a password generator.

password manager

A password manager helps users organize and manage usernames and passwords. Some include the ability to fill in the username and password information on web login pages. Some include the ability to fill in web order forms with personal details like name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, etc...

quick launch

The ability to open a web page and login to the web site via a single command from within the password manager.

Removeable Device Support

Removeable device support allows the password manager to be copied to, and run from, a removeable device. The removeable device is typically a USB flash device, but it could be a writeable CD or DVD. This support allows the user to take the password manager and password data base with them and to use it on another computer.

System Tray

The password manager places an icon in the Windows system tray for easy access.

web login

The information required to login to a web site. Typically a username and password, but it may also be an account number and password or just a password.

One Password to Secure Them All!

Password Manager Terms Glossary