I'd suggest taking a look at Better Touch Tool on the Apple App Store. This isn't like LaunchBar but if you are using a MacBook Pro with the PowerBar I discovered it is a great app to totally customize the Power Bar to do anything you want, like launch apps. Apps purchased in the App Store are identified online through your Apple ID. Neither are you sent a license code nor do we receive any information about your purchase. Why is an app not available in my country? Apps like Shortcuts and Launch Center Pro are great, but iOS simply doesn't allow them to have the power and range of apps like LaunchBar and Alfred. David Sparks and Brett Terpstra have written about HoudahSpot in the past, and I've had the same yeah, but reaction.
| Click here to return to the 'Use Launchbar to access securely stored passwords' hint |
Launchbar App Store Near Me
Having dusted off my InfoSec brain cells on the AES spec (FIPS-197, cheers for the pointer) I am suitably reassured of it's strength. I'm still left wondering why Apple doesn't offer us the option of AES-192 and AES-256 as well as the 128 bit variant.
Keychain Access is built in to every copy of OS X. Open it from the Utilities folder. Store free-form information in a Note and passwords in Passwords. If you want to categorize information, such as credit card info or SSNs, etc. I suggest creating separate keychains.
Keychain Access was my first port-of-call whilst searching for a password solution. I like that it's built-in, and you can allow apps access to keychain items. But I don't like the fact that there's no search facility (not that I could find anyway) and I don't like having to tick a little box, then enter my system password before I can see the information I want.
The lack of a good search facility is what led me to LaunchBar in the first place. I want to be able to just type the name of the password I want and then have it displayed for me, and I want to be able to do that in any application without launching another.
If Apple adds a good search facility to Keychain Access I'll likely switch to that instead, but LaunchBar is a hard act to follow in my opinion.
As an aside: I initially thought it was ironic that I used LaunchBar to launch Keychain Access back at the start of all this, but after consulting the dictionary I'm not so sure.
As an aside: I initially thought it was ironic that I used LaunchBar to launch Keychain Access back at the start of all this, but after consulting the dictionary I'm not so sure.Ironic: 'characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is'
It is ironic. You sought out a program that you thought would be your solution by using the one that turned out to be your solution. You're no Alanis. On topic, I second the suggestion of SplashID.
I personally prefer MacJournal with a locked journal for my passwords.
Yes, I know..I couldn't live without my LaunchBar. :-)
I don't have LaunchBar, but a possible security hole you might want to look into is this: when LB indexes the text file, where does it store the index? Is it written unencrypted to disk by any chance? That could be a vulnerability if there are other users you don't trust using the same machine.
I hadn't thought to check that, I must confess. Looking now I see that LaunchBar stores it's cache in this file:
Because LaunchBar is only indexing the names of the text files it doesn't present much of a threat. Unless you consider an attacker knowing which websites you frequent, and which cards you use, to be a threat. And if you're that concerned about security then you probably wouldn't use this system anyway.
I was just playing around with this idea in LaunchBar and found something that may be a little faster and more convenient.
Rather than creating individual text files for each password, just create one html file. For each password create a line like:
Some Web Site
Save the file as described above using the encrypted disk image, login item, etc.
Then in LaunchBar set this file up to be scanned for bookmarks. When you type the name in LaunchBar, it automatically displays the password in LaunchBar without having to actually open any other files. Also, just by typing command-c while the password is displayed in LaunchBar, you have copied it to the clipboard so you can paste it wherever you like.
This way you only have one file for all your passwords and you don't have to open and close text files just to see a password.
I didn't think to try that -- it's a great idea, but I don't think it'd work for me, as I often need to store more than just a password. I like the flexibility that the text file approach affords me.
If you want to be extra sure on security for this method, you would probably want to:
1. Put your ~/Library/Application Support/LaunchBar/ folder on the encrypted disk image and leave an alias to it in your Application Support folder.
2. For the 'Perform Setup Scan' on this item, choose 'Each Startup'.
valx -- I think that if someone was to use your HTML file suggestion, they would definately need to move their LaunchBar cache file (probably the whole support folder to be safe) onto the disk image. There'd be little point encrypting the HTML file and leaving the LaunchBar cache in the clear.
It's worth noting that doing so would require them to ensure that the disk image mounts before LaunchBar launches.
The problem with schemes like this is that they assume your data will only be compromised when you've logged out, or unmounted your encrypted disk, etc. The fact is that your data is most likely to be compromised when you least expect it. Your sleeping powerbook is stolen. Your Palm pilot is lost.
What you need is a storage mechanism that automatically re-encrypts itself and locks itself after an interval, say, 30 seconds. That way, a thief or opportunist has only a very slim chance of grabbing data. they would have to have your Palm pilot or laptop in their hands within thirty seconds of stealing it or finding it and without putting it to sleep.
With stuff as sensitive as bank logins, etc., it is worth every penny to invest in a tool that right for the job. I recommend Password Wallet, but there are others. Look for software that re-encrypts and locks its vault automatically after a brief amount of time. Also, it's cool if it can sync with Palm. Password Wallet has an application for Mac OS X, and for the Palm Pilot, and they sync beautifully.
Please, DON'T hack together an insecure solution. Identity theft is on the rise. $20 is money well spent towards helping secure your entire financial and personal life.
My 10 cents.
K
SplashID contains all of these features as well.
Kristofer -- point taken. I did consider the issue of security whilst logged in, and I agree that this is not the ideal solution for everyone. Perhaps I should have included my thoughts on this in the original hint, but I didn't want it to be overly wordy.
I agree that this system does not offer any protection against someone stealing your machine whilst you're logged in, or remotely accessing your machine whilst you're logged in and the image is mounted.
I also agree that this system is, therefore, not a good solution for everyone. However, in my case, I take steps to secure my machine while online at home, and I'm behind a pretty good firewall while in my department. I also set my machine not to wake from sleep without a password, and I use a password protected screensaver on a short fuse. Either of these measures would cause a thief to reboot, thus unmounting the disk image.
I realise that this hardly constitutes a secure system, but when you consider that I use a strong password, which I change regularly, and that the nefarious types that engage in ID theft currently target windows machines (or at least expect to find a windows machine when they open the stolen bag), I consider it to be secure enough for me.
Of course, others will need to make that decision for themselves. For me, this system provides an acceptable level of security, especially when you consider the ease of use. Again, this is only my personal opinion, and I know you're not supposed to sacrifice security to gain usability, but, well, I'm prepared to in this case.
If you have too many icons on your Windows 10 computer and struggling to organize them? Don't worry! We have a great solution to make your desktop more productive, namely app launcher. Using this, you can keep your favorite apps for easy and quick access. Nevertheless, it could become confusing for you to single out the best app launcher program for your Windows 10 PC.
Hence, here are the 10 best program launchers for Windows 10 that you can go for.
1. Launchy
Launchy is a simple program/app launcher for Windows 10 which allows you to launch programs, website, open files and folders on your computer. Once you installed Launchy, you can open it with the key combination of Alt+Space. Adobe photoshop version 3 0. And just you must enter the name of the program or file you wish to open and you can select the appropriate search result. The program is a good replacement of Windows 10 built-in search. It comes in both portable and .exe versions and it is free. You can download it from this link.
2. Executor
Executor is a very simple launcher that placed in the Windows taskbar. It allows you to access any installed application on your Windows 10 computer. Once you installed this program, it will index all installed apps on your computer. You must just open the app, type the name of the program which you wish to open. It has a various feature like you can lock your computer, shutdown etc. In case your Cortana not working than it is the best alternative of Cortana. It is free and you can download it from this link.
3. RocketDock
RocketDock is the most famous application launcher on Windows 10. It is placed on the top of your screen. It is designed after Mac OS X launch toolbar and it keeps your shortcuts for launching apps and files. Just drag and drop shortcuts to add them in toolbar. If you have so many shortcuts on your desktop then it will be a good option for you to use as it lots of space of your desktop. It is available for free, and you can download it from this link.
4. ObjectDock
ObjectDock is also a renowned application launcher for Windows 10. It allows you to add your favorite programs shortcuts for the fast access. You can also add widgets like clock, weather, battery and calendar to the dock. You can customize its skin and background with the various option available in dock. It is free to use for 30 days and after that you can purchase its paid version. You can download it from this link.
5. RK Launcher
Launchbar App Store Online
RK Launcher is another free app launcher for Windows 10 which allows you to add your favorite apps/programs. You can add shortcuts of programs, files and folders. It is placed on the edge of your screen or you can set it in any corner of your screen. Docklets allows you to customize the themes and custom icons. It is a great replacement of taskbar as it can minimize the program to dock. It is available for free, and you can download it from this link.
6. InerziaSmartLaunch
InerziaSmartLaunch is a very simpler app launcher due to its interface. As its just look like a search bar we often use on Google browser. Whenever you wish to open an app, you just enter the name of the app it will show you the suggestion in the context menu. From there, you can select the appropriate suggestion and hit enter to launch the app. It also allows you to search any document, folder etc. Just enter the type and it will search for you. It is free, and you can download it from this link.
7. Circle Dock
It is a most fascinating program/app which starts the Windows 10. As the name implies, it is a circular dock for start programs. To open it, it will instantly display next to your cursor, wherever it is on the screen like if your mouse it at the corner of screen. Once it open, you can all your programs in a circular arrangement, and you can access them in a single click.
You can add folders, links, shortcuts to it. You can also customize the background and icons of the dock.
It is free and you can download it from this URL.
8. KeyBreeze
Keybreeze works like Executor does. It can perform keyword-based tasks like Executor does. It also allows you to set custom keywords for favorite apps or URLs. For example, you can set a 'outlook' keyword that will open your webmail in your default browser. It is a great for emails. It has a feature to create sticky notes and do very basic text expansion which allows you to copy long chunks of text in clipboard. You can download it from this link.
9. WinLaunch
It is another app launcher which is built from Mac OS X Lion. You activate it using Shift + Tab key combination when it is minimized in background.
Once its enabled, it will show you the all listed of apps. It has a nice interface. It also consists ‘Jiggle mode' which helps to shift icons in one group to another group. To add icons to it, Enter F key. It is free, and you can get it from this link.
10. XWindows Dock
Launchbar App Store App
XWindows Dock emulates Mac launcher toolbars for Windows 10. The best feature of the dock is that it allows you to make complete customization of graphics, shadow, blur etc. You can add your favorite apps and programs to it. You can also add plugin for custom interface. It is the most powerful and fastest dock available to Windows. It is free, and you can download it from this link.
That's all folks, if you want well-organized and clutter-free Windows 10, give a try one of these launchers and let us know your comments in the section below.
