What is 1Password?
More Than a Password Manager: In an era where data breaches and cyber threats loom large, safeguarding your digital existence demands a robust, intuitive solution. Enter 1Password – an advanced security suite that transcends the boundaries of a conventional password manager, now with enhanced functionality on Linux.
Linux Compatibility
I had been a long-time LastPass user before the hacking debacle and I was fine with their Linux offerings, which was ok I would say. Compared to that, 1Password’s compatibility with most major Linux distributions is excellent. With dedicated desktop versions, tested and optimized for these environments, managing my passwords and sensitive information has become effortless.
Ever since the controversy of snap vs deb started, the behaviour of certain applications has started to vary too! Mind you, it has not gone the friendly way, at least not for me. So, most of the time, these days, I always check if there is a .deb version of the application. For the same reason, I downloaded the 1Password .deb package from the official website instead of installing the app from the shiny new app store of Ubuntu 23.10. Granted, this version of Ubuntu, the 23.10 is stupendously good, even better than Fedora38 in my opinion on my ASUS ROG14, the 3rd party apps still don’t play nice with snap versions.
Installation
Before you start installation, make sure you have an account. If you do not, you can get a 14-day free version from here. Also, if your workplace uses 1Password for password management (1Password enterprise), you will get the personal version completely free of cost as long as you’re employed there.
1Password .deb or .rpm package can be downloaded from here. Once downloaded, execute the CLI command or double-click on the package to allow the respective package manager to take over the installation. Snap or Flatpack installs tend to cause integration issues with browser extensions so I do not recommend them.
Ubuntu/Debian based distros
sudo dpkg -i 1password-latest.deb
Fedora/RedHat (rpm) based distros
sudo rpm -i 1password-latest1.rpm
Once installation is completed successfully, open up the app and enter the authentication details. For first-time users, you will be required to enter a master password. It is important to remember that or save it somewhere safe. if you forget the master password, as per my research, there is no way to recover your stored data. So, do not forget your master password. Also, you will be asked to enter the master password after every reboot/logoff session and after every 30 days, if you never log out.
Setup on the phone or secondary machine
1Password is cross-platform and is pretty easy to set up either using a QR code or a link. Just use the option “Set Up Another Device”. Androd and iOS apps are available from their respective app stores.
Multifactor Authentication
Say goodbye to the hassle of manual code input for MFA. 1Password on Linux supports QR code scanning, simplifying the setup and usage of multifactor authentication.
Biometric Authentication
One of the great features of 1Password is its compatibility with biometric authentication modules available in Linux. If your Linux laptop/desktop has a fingerprint reader, 1Password can leverage it to unlock the password manager and also use it as a Passkey for passwordless authentication. Howdy, the open-source equivalent of Windows Hello, seamlessly integrates with 1Password (stable version) too on Ubuntu (Not so on Fedora 38), leveraging biometrics for easy authentication. It makes life a whole lot easier for quicker authentication.
Browser Extensions
Browser extensions form an integral part of this integration. Chrome, Edge, and Brave 1Password extensions work flawlessly with the desktop app. Click here to install. However, since Firefox is installed as a snap app, the integration with 1Password desktop app is broken and it behaves as an independent app. This becomes quite annoying if you’re like me and use more than one browser. If you want the same level of integration with Firefox, you’ll have to reinstall Firefox as a .deb package.
Conclusion
1password is an excellent alternative to LastPass and other paid password managers. The prices are competitive and you can get a family discount of a further 25% if you sign up from this link. If you’re looking for a free one, I would recommend Zoho Vault. it’s a good free alternative.
Disclaimer: Tuxtrix may earn a commission if you buy from the affiliate links in this article
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