RoboForm2Go USB Key

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

September 11, 2006

Anyone that uses the internet knows that passwords play a necessary role in the online experience. On any given day a single person may utilize dozens of passwords while accomplishing such mundane tasks as making posts to a bulletin board, purchasing an item, or checking their child's school grades. Over time, unless the same exact password is always used, managing this large number of passwords and the sites for which they work will become a challenge.

When a person is using his or her own computer, they have the option of allowing entered passwords and sites to be stored in the computer's memory. This is a very convenient feature, but it's hardly secure when others are also sharing computer access. People that use public computers have the added burden of needing a way to ensure that they will not unintentionally leave a password trail which will allow unscrupulous persons to steal their online identity.

For quite some time many password users have been aware of the award winning software RoboForm, which as described by their site: "Memorizes your passwords and Logs You In automatically, Fills long registration and checkout forms with one click, Encrypts your passwords to achieve complete security, Generates random passwords that hackers cannot guess, Fights Phishing by filling passwords only on matching web sites, Defeats Keyloggers by not using keyboard to type passwords, Backs up your passwords, Copies them between computers, Searches for keywords in your passwords, notes and Internet, and is Neutral: works with Internet Explorer, AOL/MSN, Firefox." Here is a quick overview of RoboForm for those that aren't familiar...

The first time RoboForm is run, a Master Password must be set. When the user the master password to log into RoboForm on their computer, the user will have unfettered access to all of their passwords - even if they don't remember any of them.

RoboForm will automatically import all current login passwords. The user then has the choice of whether or not to clear the cached passwords once they have been imported.

After installation, an additional toolbar will be integrated into the user's internet browser. Before getting hostile about the screen's lost real estate, let's talk about the value added by this toolbar...and if you still don't want it there, there are work-arounds available.

Clicking the RoboForm button displays all of the RoboForm options; these are also all accessible from the system try icon if you would like to forego the browser toolbar.

Clicking Logins shows a list of all of the passwords stored in RoboForm. The button with "Judie Hughes" on it indicates the identity RoboForm is using as it fills in browser forms. If there is a password associated with a particular site, it will be offered both in a window automatically shown in the upper right of the browser as well as in a drop down menu when I hover over the button with the mouse.

The Save button instructs RoboForm to keep an entered user name and password for future use.

The Generate button allows RoboForm to create an impossible to remember, and therefore near impossible to guess password.

RoboForm completely integrates with Internet Explorer, and it will also work with Firefox and Netscape; a full list of compatible browsers may be seen here. RoboForm is meant to work with computers running Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, and  Server 2003; it will not work on Mac computers. Multiple password protected passcards, safenotes and identities may be created with a single license of RoboForm Pro for multiple users on the same computer.

When using RoboForm on the user's main computer, the master password is required for login and RoboForm will continue working until the user logs off. The user's information is encrypted with "the strongest encryption available, including AES, RC6 and Blowfish, to achieve complete security." This is a great standalone solution unless the user needs to access their password list from multiple computers. That's when the RoboForm2Go USB Key and software come in handy.

Today I am going to take a look at a companion device that can take a RoboForm user's simplified and secured password experience from beyond their own computer to any other computer that they might use.

The RoboForm2Go USB Key is a 2.75" long 256MB thumbdrive that sells for $9.95 when purchased with the RoboForm2Go software. Let's take a look at the hardware first, then we'll cover the software and how it all works together...

The device I was sent was branded "Pass2Go", which has since been updated as "RoboForm2Go USB Key"

Included in the package are the RoboForm2Go USB Key (256MB), a neck lanyard and a USB expansion cord.

The RoboForm2Go USB Key utilizes USB 2.0 speeds, and it is optimized to automatically run the RoboForm2Go software when plugged into an empty USB port.

When files are being accessed, a green LED will flicker on the end of the drive near the loop where the lanyard is attached.

As I mentioned, the RoboForm2Go USB Key must be ordered with the RoboForm2Go software installed in order to get the $9.99 price. RoboForm2Go can also be purchased separately for $39.99 if the user already has their own USB drive.

This would be a good time to talk about the various ways in which the USB Key may be configured; I've attached a screenshot of the order page showing the various options. Mine came loaded with RoboForm2Go, a free version of the desktop RoboForm software, and a copy of GoodSync. As tested, the total would be $69.85. If I wanted to update to the RoboForm Pro, the total would be $79.80.

When the RoboForm2Go USB Key is plugged into the computer, it will show as a separate device with removable storage.

Using the RoboForm2Go USB Key is a simple matter of inserting it in a spare USB drive. The computer will recognize the plug & play device, and the RoboForm2Go installation screen will come up if the program has not already been installed. After installing RoboForms2Go, the installer will copy desktop passwords to the USB key.

RoboForm2Go stores saved web pages and passwords and allows the user to log into their accounts automatically on any computer. When the RoboForm2Go is plugged into a computer, it will immediately begin running - entering passwords as needed and allowing access to bookmarked sites from the list stored on the USB Key.

Once RoboForm2Go is running, a browser toolbar similar to the full RoboForm version will show.

When the USB Key is removed, all passwords - even those newly added - are contained on the key and will then be removed from the computer.

GoodSync is the other program that can also be run directly from the RoboForm2Go USB Key. According to its site, "GoodSync uses an innovative synchronization algorithm to synchronize your data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives and more. GoodSync combines bulletproof reliability with an extremely easy to use interface. Most synchronization software claim to synchronize your files, but many simply copy from place to place. GoodSync offers true bi-directional synchronization, which prevents deletion of files and data loss."

What GoodSync does is allow the user to keep a folder truly synchronized between their main desktop and the USB Key. In turn, the USB Key can be synchronized with a laptop, allowing the user to keep files current on both devices. Any information that is dropped into a synchronized folder will immediately be updated when the USB Key is inserted into the synchronized computer.

So to wrap things up, there are a few choices available here:

1. If you only use one main desktop computer, and you need strong password protection that will keep family users and guests from getting into your various accounts, you can use the free version of RoboForm. But if multiple profiles and logins are needed you should get RoboForm for $29.95.

2. If you do not have a main desktop at home (or if you don't want to install stand-alone software); but you commonly use computers in internet cafes, libraries or similar public computers, get the RoboForm2Go USB Key with RoboForm2Go for $49.95

2. If you normally use a main desktop computer at home, and you need strong password protection with multiple profiles and logins that will keep family users and guests from getting into your various accounts; but when you travel you want to have all of your sites and passwords handy, get RoboForm Pro and the RoboForm2Go USB Key with RoboForm2Go for $59.85

3. If you normally use a main desktop computer at home and you need strong password protection with multiple profiles and logins that will keep family users and guests from getting into your various accounts; but when you travel you want to have all of your sites and passwords handy as well as a way to synchronize certain files between your desktop and laptop, get RoboForm, the RoboForm2Go USB Key with RoboForm2Go, and GoodSync for $79.80.

Got it?