Configure KeePassXC-Browser and Back up a Database File

     In the previous article, we learned about Entry data and Quick Unlock of KeepassXC software. This is open-source software and it is the best free password manager software. Today we will continue to see the Configure KeePassXC-Browser and Back up a Database File. 

Storing a Database File

The database file that you create might contain highly sensitive data and must be stored in a very secure way. You must make sure that the database is always protected with a strong and long password. The database file that is protected with a strong and long password is secure and encrypted while stored on your computer or cloud storage service.

Make sure that you or someone else does not accidentally delete the database file. Deletion of the database file will result in the total loss of all your information (including all your passwords!) and a lot of inconvenience to manually retrieve your logins for various web applications. Do not share the credentials to access your database file with anyone unless you absolutely trust them (spouse, child, etc.).

Backing up a Database File

It is a good practice to create copies of your database file and store the copies of your database on a different computer, smart phone, or cloud storage space such a Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Backups can be created automatically by selecting the Backup database file before saving option in the application settings. Additionally, you can create a backup on-demand using the Database → Save Database Backup… menu feature.

Setup Browser Integration

The KeePassXC-Browser extension is installed within your web browser so that you can automatically pull usernames and passwords from KeePassXC and populate them directly into website fields. It is a very useful and secure extension that enhances your productivity while using KeePassXC. With this extension, you do not need to manually copy the data from your KeePassXC database and paste it into the website fields.

You can download the KeePassXC-Browser extension from your web browser. To download the KeePassXC-Browser extension, perform the following steps:

   Click the link corresponding to your browser:

   - Chrome, Chromium, Vivaldi, and Brave

   - Mozilla Firefox and Tor-Browser

   - Microsoft Edge

 Click the button to install/add the extension to the browser. Accept any confirmation dialogs.

For the most up-to-date troubleshooting advice on all platforms, please read our Troubleshooting Guide.

Configure KeePassXC-Browser

To start using KeePassXC-Browser, you must configure it so that it can communicate with the KeePassXC application on your desktop.

   - To configure KeePassXC-Browser, perform the following steps:

   - Open the KeePassXC application on your desktop and navigate to Tools > Settings.

   - Click the Browser Integration option on the left-hand side (1). The following screen appears:

   - Click the Enable browser integration checkbox (2). Then select the browsers for which you have downloaded the KeePassXC-Browser extension (3) and click OK.

   - Ensure your database is unlocked, then open (or restart) your browser.

   - Click the KeePassXC-Browser extension icon (A) in your browser (see figure below). A pop-up window appears.

   - Click the Connect button (B) in the pop-up window to complete integrating the KeePassXC-Browser extension with your KeePassXC desktop application.

   - You are now prompted to enter a unique name to identify the connection between this browser and your database. Enter a unique name in the field (e.g., firefox-laptop) and click the Save and allow access button.

Using the Browser Extension

 The KeePassXC-Browser extension lets you automatically populate the entries from your KeePassXC database into the fields on websites you visit. To do so, perform the following steps:

   - Open your KeePassXC desktop application and unlock your database.

   - Open your web browser. The KeePassXC-Browser extension icon in your browser window will change based on its connection state. The figure below shows the different states.

   (A) KeePassXC is not running or is disconnected

   (B) Connected to KeePassXC, but database is locked

   (C) Connected to KeePassXC and ready to use

  - If the KeePassXC desktop application is not connected with the KeePassXC-Browser extension, click the extension icon in your web browser and click Reload from the pop-up window as shown in the following screen.

    - Open the URL for which you want to use with your database. If you have previously created an entry in your database then the KeePassXC-Browser Confirm Access dialog may appear

   - Ensure the credentials you want to use are checked, then click (A) Remember (optional), then click Allow Selected (B).

   - In your website, the KeePassXC icon will appear in the username field of the login form (A). Click the icon to populate the field with your stored credentials. If you have more than one credential for this website, a dropdown will appear to choose the one to use.

   This is also my last post about KeepassXC This is open source password management software and it is also the best free software. If you have a problem that you do not understand, please leave a comment. We answer together.

  In the next series of articles we will learn about data encryption software. This is also one of the very important areas in the current information technology boom.

  See you in the next series of articles.