Data Guardian for Mac review
Data Guardian for Mac addresses the ever-present dilemma that so many of us are faced with these days -- do you want passwords that are secure or that you can remember? This app lets you save passwords and other data securely, making it easy to use complicated passwords that are hard to crack.
Pros
Intuitive interface: While Data Guardian isn't anything extraordinary design-wise, it earns points for being sleek and easy to navigate. With a few experimental clicks of the app's buttons, we were up and running, with no need to consult the Help file.
Customization options: Data Guardian lets you create records that by default have fields for the account name, log-in, password, URL, and notes. However, you can also add custom fields and delete fields you don't need. So although Data Guardian is well suited to storing your passwords, you could actually use the app to store all kinds of sensitive data.
Built-in password generator: Feeling the need for a password that's a little more secure than your dog's name or husband's birthday? Data Guardian can automatically generate and save 11-character passwords that are a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Cons
Caution needed: Data Guardian's strength is also its downfall; although the whole point of the app is to remember passwords so that you don't have to, you'd better make sure that you remember the master password to get into the app to begin with. If you don't, you'll permanently lose access to all the data stored within, which could be quite a hassle.
Trial limitations: You can try Data Guardian for 15 days, but after that you'll have to purchase a license if you want to retain its full functionality.
Bottom Line
Data Guardian for Mac is a great way to keep track of your passwords and other sensitive data. The app manages to keep your information both accessible and secure. If you find yourself frequently locked out of your accounts, because you've forgotten complicated passwords -- or worse, writing down your passwords next to your computer -- Data Guardian might be just what you need.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Data Guardian for Mac 3.2.
