I use Mac computers almost exclusively. For testing purposes I use VMWare Fusion and I have a number of Virtual Machines setup for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2003 Server and Ubuntu Linux.

To store passwords, serial numbers, code snippets etc. I use YoJimbo from Bare Bones Software. This is then syncronised to my other Mac’s via Mobile Me. So far so good. YoJimbo however does have some limitations, single user, no choice of backend database storage, no Windows version etc. All of these limitations will be overcome with my product Sicuro, which if customers wanting bespoke solutions will leave me alone for a bit (just kidding! I love all my customers ) will be available in the first quarter this year.

With the need to travel to Europe and my aversion to carrying any more than will fit in hand luggage, and also the fact that I sometimes visit customers on my motorcycle, I have needed a small and light laptop. Apple does not do a netbook unfortunately and the MacBook Air is still to big so I have recently obtained a Dell Mini 9. Which runs Windows XP. Which means that all my serial numbers, passwords, website logons etc. are not available to me when I travel.

This is where R10Cipher is really useful.

To start with I highlight all the items I want from YoJimbo and use the Export option. The problem here is that YoJimbo exports a new file for every entry, and I need just the one file. To address this I open the Terminal application and navigate to the directory containing my exported password files. I then type the following command:

cat * > newfilename.txt

Voila ! I now have a single file that contains all of my exported passwords in plain text.

I then launch R10Cipher and drag the contents of my text file into the ‘Clear Text’ area of R10Cipher. I type a ‘Shared Secret’ and click the Encrypt button. My passwords are now encrypted, protected by the key, or ‘Shared Secret’ that I just entered.

All that remains is for me to copy the encrypted file onto my Windows netbook and when I need the passwords I can use the Windows version of R10Cipher to open and Decrypt the file which allows me to view the contents. If I lose my netbook or it gets stolen - so what. At least my data is safe.

Note to UK Government agencies: YOU NEED R10CIPHER

Cheers - Steven Cholerton
Arten Science

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Tags: Arten Science, R10Cipher