Download the free Proton Pass for Chrome

Proton, the Swiss security and privacy specialist, now offers a free, cross-platform, synchronized password manager that also provides native email address alias functionality.

A software publisher based in Switzerland, Proton is known – and recognized – for tools such as Proton VPN, Proton Mail and Proton Drive. The common points of these programs: security and confidentiality. Proton’s goal is to expose Internet users’ data as little as possible with a high level of protection and encryption to respect the confidentiality of its users as much as possible. Added to this arsenal of tools is Proton Pass, a password manager of which there are already many, such as LastPass (a recently hacked target), Dashlane, KeePass, 1Password, and so on.

Proton Pass has been in beta for a few months and has now been revealed in a final version available to all…and free! On PC and Mac, it comes in the form of a browser extension. On mobile (iOS and Android), a full app is provided. In the program, the classic password manager allows saving identifiers and nametags associated with sites or web services but also the possibility to generate strong passwords during registration. The open source utility provides end-to-end encryption. It also makes it possible to keep secure notes, but also, which is new for this type of tool, to use aliases for email addresses. The goal: not to reveal your real address when registering for a new online service. comfortable.

Proton Pass comes in two versions. The first is completely free. Grants the right to manage an unlimited number of IDs and passwords through browser extensions and mobile applications, all synchronized. It also allows the use of ten aliases for email addresses. The second version is paid (as are most password managers available) and billed at €4.99 per month. Here, the number of email address aliases becomes unlimited and there is also the ability to use two-factor authentication for added security. The €9.99 monthly subscription also includes all other Proton services.

Proton Pass does not yet include very practical options such as managing payment methods or sharing data with relatives. But this is still only the first version that is likely to evolve.

On PC and Mac, the Swiss tool does not – at the moment – have a dedicated app. So it is necessary to go through the browser extension that is available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Brave.

► Start by downloading and installing the corresponding extension for your browser. For our example, we will use the extension for Chrome.

► Once the extension is installed, pin it to the browser toolbar by clicking on the Extensions icon and then choosing pin.

► Now tap on the icon proton lane in the toolbar. In the list that appears, choose the option that suits you best: Log in with Proton If you already have an account with Proton (for Proton Mail or Proton VPN for example) and enter your credentials. Otherwise, click Create a Proton account. Then follow the procedure to create an account. Do not forget to validate your registration by clicking on the link sent by email.

► When creating your account or identifying yourself, click again on the icon proton lane. The pop-up menu displays several options.

► First possibility, Create a login, allows you to save a username and password to access a website or service. Click on it and then give the password a title, enter the associated ID and password and finally, in the field websites, enter the URL of the relevant website or service. Finish by clicking the button sign in, in the upper-right part of the window. Then your username is saved.

► From now on, when you attempt to connect to this site or service, a Proton Pass icon will appear in the input field. Click it and Proton Pass will automatically fill in the field with the correct information.

► Proton Pass allows you not to start from scratch to save IDs and passwords that you may have already saved elsewhere (in a browser or another password manager). in list proton laneClick on imports passwords.

► The page that appears shows the services where you can retrieve your saved passwords to import them into Proton Pass. Choose the respective software or service and follow the procedure to recover the corresponding .csv file. Once the import is complete, remember to delete the used .csv file which contains highly sensitive data.

► The free version of Proton Pass also allows email aliases (10 in total). A convenient option for not revealing your real address when registering for a new web service. Emails addressed to this alias will arrive in the mailbox used for Proton Pass registration. In the list, click Create an alias to hide my email.

► Give a title to this nickname (for example, the name of the website you want to register with). A new address is automatically generated with the name of the respective service as a prefix or suffix (as desired). Make a note of this address so you can use it to register. Click the button Create an alias.

The advantage of Proton Pass over some other password managers is that, by default, the service allows saved passwords to be synced to an unlimited number of devices. Convenient if you want to keep your precious sesame close at hand no matter what device (computer, smartphone or tablet) you’re using.

► Install and launch the version of the Proton Pass app that matches your device operating system (iOS or Android). Click on sign in And enter the same credentials used when registering for Proton Pass above.

► Proton Pass then offers you to set the system (iOS in our example) so that the app fills in the input fields on your behalf with the usernames and passwords you have saved when visiting a website or web service. Make the settings as described otherwise, tap not now.

► You are then prompted to secure access to Proton Pass using device biometric identification; Fingerprint or facial recognition (or Face ID on iPhone). Choose the mode you want.

► After pressing Get started with Proton PassThe application page opens. You will immediately find the information recorded from the computer. Passwords, Secure Notes, and email aliases are synced. To add new usernames, email aliases, or secure notes, click the icon + at the bottom of the screen. All you have to do is follow the same procedure as detailed above.