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TAX SOFTWARE REVIEWS
The Associate Editor requests that JATA readers contact her if they wish to review a particular item of software or if they know of new software that JATA's readers might be interested in.
The Associate Editor is:
Susan E. Anderson
Department of Accounting
Bryan School of Business and Economics
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402-6165
Phone: (336) 334-5658
Fax: (336) 334-4706
Email: [email protected]
The current issue of JATA compares various password management software packages.
Password Management Software
Passwords are currently a critical component in restricting access to computer resources such as desktop computers, networks, web pages, and email accounts. Their pervasiveness makes them one of the weakest components, because they are dependent on the actions of individuals who tend not to be conscientious about or even aware of their proper use, especially when required to use so many. Since it only takes one individual's lapse to compromise an entire network, it is incumbent upon all individuals to increase their vigilance.
The purpose of this review is to identify and briefly describe a few of the many software applications designed to help manage passwords. The emphasis is on applications that have a high rating by ZDNet (http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/), work on several Windows-based operating systems (Windows 95/98/NT/2000), and include certain desirable features. At a minimum, effective software must store a user's passwords in a password-protected and encrypted database, such that the user need memorize only one password, to gain access to that database. Ideally, the software should facilitate the generation of effective (strong) passwords that can not be readily deciphered by unauthorized users and the database should be transportable between computers at different locations. Finally, an application should have a mechanism for uninstalling it from the computer.
Password Keeper v5.7 for Windows 95 /98/NT/2000, Software Design, July 2000. Free to try for 30 days, $20 for continued use. Download from http://www.gregorybraun.com/PassKeep.html. This application is relatively easy to install, configure, and use. Installation is quick and follows a familiar standard procedure for today's software before automatically opening the dialog boxes used to configure settings related to...