Something else to consider is that the private group that acquired LogMeIn (parent company of LastPass) included affiliates of Francisco Partners. And it seems that "Francisco Partners previously owned a majority stake in NSO Group - this period saw NSO’s spyware used in the unlawful targeting of activists, journalists & lawyers globally from Mexico to the UAE, and an @amnesty staffer". Also "Francisco Partners-owned Sandvine profits from shutdowns and oppression in Belarus".
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DNS Benchmark v2 Release 5 with Consultant License Guest:
If you own any earlier release of our DNS Benchmark you may immediately download its release #5 replacement. Running an earlier release will detect the new release and help you upgrade.
Although this release is cosmetic, appearance matters and affects ease of use. The biggest change, as seen in the image above, is that the DNS Benchmark now has a traditional Windows application menu to more fully expose its many features. This release is also "Consultant License Aware" and GRC will now issue a Consultant version when owners have previously purchased four "Personal Use" licenses. If you have previously purchased four DNSB licenses, or if you wish to upgrade your "Personal Use" license to Consultant, GRC's purchase process will direct you through that process.
/Steve. -
Be sure to checkout “Tips & Tricks” Dear Guest Visitor → Once you register and log-in please checkout the “Tips & Tricks” page for some very handy tips!
/Steve. -
BootAble – FreeDOS boot testing freeware
To obtain direct, low-level access to a system's mass storage drives, SpinRite runs under a GRC-customized version of FreeDOS which has been modified to add compatibility with all file systems. In order to run SpinRite it must first be possible to boot FreeDOS.
GRC's “BootAble” freeware allows anyone to easily create BIOS-bootable media in order to workout and confirm the details of getting a machine to boot FreeDOS through a BIOS. Once the means of doing that has been determined, the media created by SpinRite can be booted and run in the same way.
The participants here, who have taken the time to share their knowledge and experience, their successes and some frustrations with booting their computers into FreeDOS, have created a valuable knowledgebase which will benefit everyone who follows.
You may click on the image to the right to obtain your own copy of BootAble. Then use the knowledge and experience documented here to boot your computer(s) into FreeDOS. And please do not hesitate to ask questions – nowhere else can better answers be found.
(You may permanently close this reminder with the 'X' in the upper right.)
Went to LastPass site and closed/deleted my account which they say will wipe all my info from their system. No choice to take their word for it, or as SG says TNO.
As for paying for the service, it is not about the $$, but the concept of having my CC info scattered/stored on more and more sites from everyone that wants a subscription. Some are unavoidable, but I limit this to sites/services, etc. where there is no option. Between every media outlet that puts up a paywall, and things like lastpass, I choose not to scatter my CC info out there when it is not necessary.
I use the same concept as far as bill paying. Most companies/utilitis for my routine bills offer a "draft" service where they have access to my checking account or credit card info. I can accomplish the same convenience by using my credit union's billpay service, and schedule them so I don't have to do anything to pay them each month.
Plus it save the hassle of having to update card info when the card expires and you get a new card. Thats when you find out how many companies are holding your CC info.
Again back to TNO!
As for paying for the service, it is not about the $$, but the concept of having my CC info scattered/stored on more and more sites from everyone that wants a subscription. Some are unavoidable, but I limit this to sites/services, etc. where there is no option. Between every media outlet that puts up a paywall, and things like lastpass, I choose not to scatter my CC info out there when it is not necessary.
I use the same concept as far as bill paying. Most companies/utilitis for my routine bills offer a "draft" service where they have access to my checking account or credit card info. I can accomplish the same convenience by using my credit union's billpay service, and schedule them so I don't have to do anything to pay them each month.
Plus it save the hassle of having to update card info when the card expires and you get a new card. Thats when you find out how many companies are holding your CC info.
Again back to TNO!
Seems like they want them back as a sponsor. Money talks.
It's disappointing they don't see though the tactic of making a paid feature free for a few years and then changing it back to paid. Trying to suck people in and force them to pay.
I just transferred all my stuff to Bitwarden, looking great so far.
Umm.. this has to be one of the most common business practices in the online (and sometimes real) world. Have you not heard about the razor company that gives the razor away knowing you'll have to buy blades for a lifetime. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what LastPass did... you're not entitled to their services for free, and if you thought it would always stay free, you deluded yourself. There is no successful business that "makes it up in volume" on free.
You've found a solution that works for you at a price you like, then be happy about that and promote it... but don't beat up on LastPass for trying to make money. (I didn't start the thread to beat up on them, but to inform users they may need to change situation if they were impacted.)
And cheap inkjet printers that will milk you for ink cartridges. I suspect that they actually lose money on the hardware knowing they will recover it on the ink.
The most annoying was Quicken, which I have used from the DOS days. Then they started timebombing features, i.e. downloading from institutions. So for a while you paid for software that had timebombed features. And finially on to subscription by the year, for software installed on your computer. Of course they know that there really isn't an alternative. Yes, I know Mint and others are out there, but the learning curve is steep and functions missing. I used Mint for weeks in an attempt to leave Quicken, and still far too many issues and omissions and limitations.
But with LastPass, there are very workable alternatives. I invested a couple of hours in moving and learning to move from LP to BitWarden, and that task is done.
@Roger Rabbit That is exactly how the free market works. I use HP's monthly ink subscription because it is cost effective for me.
I was a paid LastPass user until they (LastPass) cancelled my subscription which had been running for a few years and then demanded twice the price while continuing to offer the same for free. Note, I knew I could get the same service for free but I choose to pay even though I was only using the basic functionality available which was a password manager across different devices. No family, no storage, no premium features. I had also promoted LastPass to numerous friends, family and business clients. I have no problem with a software company or developer making money from their product but do have a problem when the making money bit becomes more important than the serving your customers bit which is what happened a few years ago with the price doubling and which is what I suspect is happening again now. Hence my reason to move to Bitwarden.
Incidentally, anyone that has moved away from LastPass, make sure and take a copy of your usernames and passwords from LastPass and then delete your account and info.
I skimmed over the messages here but didn't read every one. Let's be honest, running something like LastPass CORRECTLY for millions of users takes a large investment in knowledge, talent, and infrastructure. I don't expect it for free. I gladly pay the fee for value received. And, I'm OK with them making a profit. Imagine that. If they cease to exist, I have to find a way to store over 100 passwords I can't possibly remember or type on multiple different platforms. That makes my life much harder.
Having said that, the price is starting to get a little high. It's not that I cannot afford $ 3 / mo. It's $ 36 / year for that, and $ 80 / year for VPN, and $ 100 a year for WordFence security for my website, and $ 48 per year for Pandora, and $ 180 / year for Audible, and $ 144 / year for Humble Bundle Games, and so on. So, every little thing adds up after a while.
But, if there's anything I use that's probably worth $ 3 / mo, it's probably LastPass. For the moment, it's an easy choice. It's harder psychologically to pay the full year at once.
May your bits be stable and your interfaces be fast.
Ron
Having said that, the price is starting to get a little high. It's not that I cannot afford $ 3 / mo. It's $ 36 / year for that, and $ 80 / year for VPN, and $ 100 a year for WordFence security for my website, and $ 48 per year for Pandora, and $ 180 / year for Audible, and $ 144 / year for Humble Bundle Games, and so on. So, every little thing adds up after a while.
But, if there's anything I use that's probably worth $ 3 / mo, it's probably LastPass. For the moment, it's an easy choice. It's harder psychologically to pay the full year at once.
May your bits be stable and your interfaces be fast.
Ron
Or you can also use KeePass.
For those who wants cloud sync, you can put your .kdbx file in a cloud storage. All your devices/computers will get the password database from the cloud storage.
It is multiplatform.
For those who wants cloud sync, you can put your .kdbx file in a cloud storage. All your devices/computers will get the password database from the cloud storage.
It is multiplatform.
- Windows- use the original KeePass from the website
- iOS/iPadOS/macOS- use KyPass (pay once and use forever. But separate payment for macOS and iOS/iPadOS. No subscription)
- iOS/iPadOS/macOS- use StrongBox. Freemium model. Or you can pay outright separately for macOS and iOS/iPadOS. But more expensive than KyPass. No subscription)
M
Mainframe
Guest
I agree with what you are saying. We (as consumers) are being "nickeled and dimed" to death. So, we something for free now and then, big deal! Big bucks, Paul Thurrott probably gets a lot of stuff for free via sponsorship. Most of us have budgets and bills that need to be payed every month. There are lots of things, I would love to get paid subscriptions for, but I don't have unlimited funds.I skimmed over the messages here but didn't read every one. Let's be honest, running something like LastPass CORRECTLY for millions of users takes a large investment in knowledge, talent, and infrastructure. I don't expect it for free. I gladly pay the fee for value received. And, I'm OK with them making a profit. Imagine that. If they cease to exist, I have to find a way to store over 100 passwords I can't possibly remember or type on multiple different platforms. That makes my life much harder.
Having said that, the price is starting to get a little high. It's not that I cannot afford $ 3 / mo. It's $ 36 / year for that, and $ 80 / year for VPN, and $ 100 a year for WordFence security for my website, and $ 48 per year for Pandora, and $ 180 / year for Audible, and $ 144 / year for Humble Bundle Games, and so on. So, every little thing adds up after a while.
But, if there's anything I use that's probably worth $ 3 / mo, it's probably LastPass. For the moment, it's an easy choice. It's harder psychologically to pay the full year at once.
May your bits be stable and your interfaces be fast.
Many tech companies take advantage of the "Bait and Switch" model. Offer services for free, then take away those services for free unless you start paying $$$ monthly.
What makes you think this? Paul certainly gets some things to review but he generally needs to return them. Lots of items he reviews he buys himself and sends back during the return period. He buys the subscription services he reviews and cancels them if he doesn't need them.
Tangentially related to this, an article on The Verge today details how the LastPass Android app has 7 trackers included, more than any of other password managers listed in the article: https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/26/22302709/lastpass-android-app-trackers-security-research-privacy
Similar article on The Register
www.theregister.com
1Password has none, KeePass has none... So why are there seven embedded trackers in the LastPass Android app?
Third-party code in security-critical apps is obviously suboptimal, but company says you can opt out
My HP was out of date, drivers were becoming a challenge to install on Win 10, and time for a replacement Why I chose the Brother INKvestment Tank printer. Also, the features/function of the printer were inline with what I need.
I'm 5 days post LastPass and converting to BitWarden. Now with routine usage I'm quite happy with BW. Functions a bit different but is much less temperamental than LP, and I much prefer the Android version vs. LP.
This was a great article and a great find by the researcher. I love the quote "...the presence of the trackers demonstrates a suboptimal attitude to security". No kidding. This is important, because without access to the source code, the use of trackers gives us a look at the corporate mindset.Similar article on The Register
1Password has none, KeePass has none... So why are there seven embedded trackers in the LastPass Android app?
Third-party code in security-critical apps is obviously suboptimal, but company says you can opt out
That said, I am prejudiced against password managers
Not that they are wrong all time for everyone, but mostly because they are over-sold. For so many people, other schemes/approaches make more sense. In the blog I suggest a formula for sort-of kind-of generating passwords, but the big issue is to be flexible when it comes to managing passwords. And, all passwords are not the same. They vary drastically in importance. And, ease of use always means less security. Always.
@Steve what do you think about this?
Similar article on The Register
1Password has none, KeePass has none... So why are there seven embedded trackers in the LastPass Android app?
Third-party code in security-critical apps is obviously suboptimal, but company says you can opt out
M
Mainframe
Guest
LP is one of @Steve and @leolaporte major sponsors. They will just ignore this issue until it goes away.
LastPass no longer sponsors the TWiT network, and hasn't since the end of 2020. And even when they were a sponsor, I don't think @Steve would ignore a security or privacy issue, that's just not his role.
