SecretBox for Mac2.2.3

The developers have the customer service abilities of a slug. You can see below from the other comments that there are a LOT of people who've had the same issues. They are arrogant and unhelpful. In an email dialogue with someone from there about an upgrade issue, they ended up having a go at me! Total idiots. Avoid at all cost. This product used to be great (SecretBook) and they've made it progressively worse and worse, and now discontinued it. Fools.

Re. Secret Box & response from adnX customer service about syncing of SecretBox files: "it's no longer possible. SecretBox is a discontinued product." SecretBox is not just another software product; it stores vital information for every user. Not to be able to sync that information product, causes major difficulties and much work! Thanks a lot! With that kind of totally irresponsible and arrogant customer policy, adnX has just excluded itself from any future business with me - or anyone I will be able to influence. And trust me; I will make the effort for a very long time! STAY AWAY!!!!

I actually quite liked this app - it was easy to use and synced with the iPhone version. Then, the sync feature disappeared and when I migrated to a new phone the data did not follow - no way am I going to enter all my data manually on the phone! So then with the company rebranding all its apps in January their site listed SecretBox as coming in March or April with its new name. Just checked and all mention of it is now gone, and the site says if it ain't listed it's discontinued. Useless. So now I guess I will look for an alternate app from a company that has a better reputation, and I'll certainly not be buying anything from AdnX in the future.

I used it since it was named SecretBook. After adnX acquisition every version had been worst than the previous one (in terms of usability and interface). The only new feature, sync with iphone version has been removed... so, addio!

I bought this tool because it was able to sync over wifi to the iPhone version of SecretBox, so I always have my "Secrets" with me. Now they removed syncing (instead of fixing it) because of problems with Lion, and they "updated" the iPhone app in the same manner. Now the app is completely useless for me... PS. If you're not running Lion don't update!

Most of your comments have been fixed in version 2.1.1 We are not making apps for 1% of the market ! Most people use a MOUSE to use apps, not a keyboard !!

I started using this application when it was called SecretBook, and at that time, it was the only one that allowed individual fields per entry(!), file attachments and an XML export format for easy, readable data export should you ever have to switch to another app at some later time (you are not locked into the application). These features are still the strong main features of SecretBox. But unfortunately, the UI is continuously getting worse with each release (and this is seemingly the only thing that changes from release to release). Here's a list of the UI sins introduced in SecretBox: • the width of the groups pane at the left is not remembered between launches • clicking a field name to copy its value does not give any UI feedback (like a brief highlighting like the predecessor SecretBook did so beatifully) so you are never sure if the value actually got copied to the clipboard or not • the new search implementation introduced in v2.1 is horrible: - Cmd-F does NOT open the search window, you are requird to use the mouse to start a search (there is not even a menu command to assign a keyboard shortcut to!) - the list of results is horizontally centered, so its hard to skim over the results - you cannot jump from a search result to the actual entry in SecretBox (so there's no way to see which group a search result is in) - after you click on a search result and find it is not the one you were looking for, there's no way to go back to the result list; instead you have to perform the search anew - the animations of the search window for long search result lists slows operation down to annoyance level; this is a data storage and retrieval app that should be fast in getting at the data, but looks more like a Core Animation demo... In short, it is such a pity that the new developers at app4mac worsen the UI with every release to the point this application is almost unusable. The underlying database schema and core implementation would be really, really good featurewise, but are rendered unusable by the bad UI. The companion iPhone app continues in that tradition in that entries synced from the Mac show their data fields with ellipses (…) in the middle when they are too long to be displayed in one line (instead of making them scrollable, as is the case for entries that are entered on the native iPhone app). Have a long entry entered on the Mac? No way to ever see and get to the complete data on the iPhone. I have reported the iPhone issue, several localization issues (German language) and the no-feedback-on-click UI issue to app4mac (the latter one on their forums, but the entry seems to have been deleted meanwhile...?) several months ago, but none of the issues have been fully adressed till now. As it is at this point, I cannot recommend SecretBox as an app that you are intending to use daily since the UI will drive you mad (especially when you are a keyboard-centric person).

Well now, SecretBox is now $35 plus $23 for CD ROM if you want it with only 90 days worth of free tech support; A years tech support is $59 and unlimited support, $119. The trial version is somewhat crippled. As stated on their website: "With the trial version of SecretBox, you cannot : - Create more than 10 secrets - Use the Import menu options - Use the Export menu options - Print your list of secrets - Sync with the iPhone / iPod touch version Ok, fair enough. It seems to work nicely but Data Guardian, normally $20, works just fine for my needs and Koingo doesn't gouge you for support after 90 days as does SecretBox's developers, App4Mac. I'm staying with Data Guardian.

Installed the new version. It crashes immediately upon launch. Re-installed and it still crashes immediately. Will contact developer.

I still use SecretBook daily, although it's VERY long in the tooth for obvious reasons. And I have to say... $70 for SecretBox (or any app of this genre) is an astronomical amount. I mean, stratospherically high. I wish the devs every good luck and hope they continue to actively develop the software, but we're still in a worldwide recession. $70? That's crazy talk.

I bought the original app (SecretBook) which was simple and effective. The new developers who purchased SecretBook have been little more than rude and unhelpful when asked perfectly reasonable questions. They don't understand customer service at a a basic level - and really should get some help. The app is buggy when using imported Secretbook databases - despite not being told this until a couple of months of use - and then they told me 'fixing this is not high on our priority list'. I asked for a refund as it doesn't work - they told me they don't offer refunds. Hopeless. I'm off to 1Password or another similar product where hopefully the developers are not so ridiculous.

I considered buying something like this up until I saw the pricetag... 49 euro!!! That is too much for something like this, it is more like a retail price tag but as you add the option of getting a physical disc as well that price goes up another 19 euro. Extra support even more. What does it do that warrants that tag? It buys the licenses of other applications for me as well? Lifetime updates? Sure, but i.e. LicenseKeeper is only $19 and it does what I need _today_ without robbing me. Tomorrow is always tomorrow, and in the rapid changing world of computers that is far off enough. It's rather gutsy to charge for all the great things you're going to do in the future... And if that's the case, how about a roadmap, so that we might know what the future looks like, at least in plan? I.e. if we're buying features we might need or if it's just bloat? No, thank you, I'll pass on this 'investment'. Twin and Presto is now also off my list for reasons similar.

The old Secret Book was hundred times better. This new version takes ages... to check the licence validity. It's useless. I swith to 1 Password.

App4mac flat out refused to offer any type of support or help to our company in upgrading from Secretbook to SecretBox. They just lost a customer ready to purchase 20 licenses. Their emails even started to get rude before we decided to move on.

43 dollars is way to much for this app. I have secretbook, and ill stick with it.. And to comment on the previous statements from the developer, free updates for life means very little. Repeating it still dont make me wanna pay for it. When u say that the price for the app is set that high as a result of said "lifetime updates" you just admit that you could have sold it for 10 dollars and let people pay for the updates. Check out the other developers on macupdate. Many of them has simply stopped developing their apps further. We have no guarantee that u will keep developing this app for the next 5-10 years. I actually find it very unlikely. 15-20 dollars and ill consider it. 43 ? then your competition have yet another customer...

Not liking the new version. As a data application, I want to be in and out as quickly as possible. The cube animation is just a waste of CPU cycles. Also there are some glaring usability issues: the giant icons have to go--not all of us are running 27" iMacs. Also, the app still can't seem to remember how wide I want the sidebar to be.

Nice, but... Big league price without the big league features, and a developer with a relatively short track record. For less than half the price, check out info.xhead for a serious encrypted database app. For $3 less, check out 1Password, which transparently integrates with all web browsers to automatically save and send any and all login info. 1Password's developers issue rapid-fire updates to keep their app working seamlessly with all Mac web browsers, and their customer service is highly professional, in contrast to that exhibited by the SecretBox developer in this comments section.

the launch time is very long, ~20 sec before i see the window for login ? i'm on Snow Leopard (10.6.1, Mac Pro with 12Go RAM)

$43.00? Really? That seems quite steep for this app. I bought SecretBook 3.x and 4.x when it was like $12 or something. I see nothing in this app that is worth $30 more. In fact as a SecretBook 4.x user, I have to buy it again to get this new "improved" version. Sorry, but I liked it when Jason was still developing. I don't like app4macs high prices. There are better alternatives like Koingo SW data guardian, which has a ton more features: http://www.koingosw.com/products/dataguardian.php

When I told SecretBox 2 developers about the problem opening up the SecretBox 2 data, their response was "try this password : a it should works it's a temporary tip until we find the origin of this issue." I already trashed the application but I am concerned that you can bypass the encryption with the letter a. Haven't tried it but that was their response.

2.0 doesn't work. It enforced you to create a password during setting up a file. But the secret file could never been opened with your saved password. This application is junk and crap. Downloading it is just wasting you time. I trashed it immediately.

Version 2.0 doesn't work, it won't let me open the Secret files I create upon launching application, therefore I can't add any information to the database. BTW: I tried twice before trashing this application. Sticking with 1Password it still is the best of the bunch.

Sorry, i lost with RapidoSerial (an pre-SecretBox-App) ALL MY SERIALS! No support on their website…

I purchased the 50% off license for SecretBook users. I like what app4mac have done with the interface and the export/import of my SecretBook data was simple and worked perfectly. Yeah, I can certainly agree that it is not really a necessary upgrade as SecretBook was/does still work just fine, but with free upgrades in the future I thought I'd support the developers future plans for the app.

Version 1.1 really improves this app... developper was really reactive on that matter, good support and feedback by App4mac... Now, columns retain their width between lauches, new feature like application drag'n'drop from finder to create an entry is neat and welcom... Overall interface is more polished...

I have been using SecretBook for quite some time now, and I'm very happy with it. For me SecretBook does everything I want it to do; so I don't see any reason at all to upgrade to SecretBox.

From the developer's site, “A trial version has a limited feature set when compared with the unlocked version. These extra features can be unlocked at any time by entering a valid user license.” Non-sense. To obtain a license, you must pay for it, and to pay for it, it would be wise to fully evaluate the application. The question then is, how could you fully evaluate an application with a limited feature set? Kudos to developers who provide a fully functional demo for a period of time or a number of launches instead. It's not the case here.

I have to comment negatively on SecretBox, whereas in the past I would have commented quite favorably on SecretBook. I find it very appropriate that the name replaced "OK" with "X". Two major items: (1) app4mac told me that they no longer support sync with DropBox, which was a major plus since I need to access "OK" from different Macs. They said they didn't believe in this, and that iPhone was the way to go (too bad I don't have an iPhone); (2) I also was not able to successfully import "OK" data into "X" - just got a bunch of garbage. Then add that I am now asked to pay again for a product with less capability, and you've basically totally lost me. Very very disappointed in this whole path.

SecretBox is based on SecretBook app. by Bookshelf App... Former decided to give up with SecretBook development to put more time and efforts on another project... That could have been ok if leagcy users did not have to pay again for SecretBox, though a- 50% discount exists... Moreover, new app is not as convenient as formper one except that code seems to be better optimised when it comes to overall speed... But some flaws exist ( left column with groups and sub-groups that do not retain width between app launches, search results that are a bit cumbersome to display, no iPhone/iPod Touch app as of today, etc... ) Well, let's give a few weeks to App4mac to come back with improvements... But I'm not si happy to pay again for a software that is more a beta than a release.

Dear friends, I have an issue with importing SecretBook 4.0 file into SecretBox 1.0. As a matter of fact, I haven't succeeded so far in opening or importing a single file! Every time an error message appears and the opertaion ends. I have exported SecretBook 4.0 in all possible formats it allows and tried to import them by using the import function of SecretBox 1.0 but again was greeted by the infamous error message. Do any of you users experience the same problem? Thanks in advance for your help. Fariborz AMIRSHAHI -Verona (Italy)

Last year I've purchased Secretbook. It seems I'll have to pay the full price again ... !? Shame on you devs!

The best password manager I have tried. Certainly the best out of all the popular ones and even the free ones I've tried. Why the best? Because it is so versatile, it will store any kind of sensitive data you want, in whatever manner you want (each entry is totally customizable), nice group management, and preferences available, more features than I need. It's only shortcoming MAYBE is the interface, but with version 4.0.5 the optional HUD/floater is such a great add-on. The interface is fine, don't get me wrong, but it's just not the best/most efficient POSSIBLE interface on the planet, so I knock it down to 4 stars on ease of use, but everything else is flat out 5's. Price is easily a 5 for me because I got the family license which is an absolute steal! Truly the best-in-breed after searching for so long for a better PW manager (while using 3.2.x for the last year and a half or so). Also, RE: XPLICIT: in case you're wondering what it's like for developers: sometimes after you've spent hours and hours and hours squashing bugs and bettering your app that the world may run a little smoother for a few of your patrons, you might be so exhausted that the download link goes to the wrong file on one of the many file download sites you list your art on. As a web-designer I notice such things as dead-links or incorrectly redirected links very easily, but as my brother is a programmer, I also see how you might get burnt out when it gets time to update all of your listings on the web. IT DOES NOT MEAN THE PROGRAM IS BAD IF THERE IS A DEAD LINK ON THE INTERNET! (or a misdirected link or a link to a different version, etc.).

I've been using this program for several years now, without any problems. It's a secure program and very easy to use. The developer is also very responsive and has quite some experience with security. I don't understand the post below. These updates had nothing to do with security. Don't write a review after testing an app for a few minutes, just place a comment.

Seems to me like an app with some serious problems. Version 4 released, three days later the first patch, 4.0.1, with the download containing version 4.0.2 ??? What's going on? Security Problems? I don't feel I can trust this app. Some interface flaws too: You can choose an icon for a new group, but thats all, the standard field are the same for all groups. Funny, same field names for all purposes. Or you want create a new document, choose a template but then you change your mind an click cancel. The new document is created anyway. But with what settings??? Where is it saved, what password has it, and so on. PS: Don't try serials you "find" on the net, SecretBook sends home your user name via Safari.

If some of you don't already know, the developer has said in his blog that SecretBook 4 is a free update to current users of version 3. So go ahead and download version 4 now! --->Robert 8-)

iPhone sync feature is a must! Good upgrade!

I've been using for about an hour and created a couple dozen entries, works great, and is easy to use. I like how it works a little better than the free apps I've tried, although everyone's needs are different.

I've just started using this program and so far I like it quite a bit. However, now it's not letting me save, it keeps saying: "The document **** could not be saved. Multiple validation errors occurred." What is keeping me from saving my file?? I tried a few things, nothing seemed to work,

I've been using SecretBook for over a year, and I couldn't live without it. I've demoed lots of similar programs, but I keep coming back to Secretbook for its convenience and stability. Not too many bells and whistles -- no crazy, overblown GUI -- it's a simple program that does its job well. There are some features I'd love to see added, but right now, it works great.

At the time, I evaluated several packages for securely storing software licenses, bank account details and login passwords. SecretBook was the only one where the data fields could be different for each and every entry and named appropriately if the template for a category did not match the information to enter at hand. For example, sometimes a software license is called a "key", sometimes a "code", sometimes it includes a "name" component or a "TSID", sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it is even a license file instead of a textual string. All that I can store nicely in this application, correctly named and ordered, access it quickly and copy to the clipboard for pasting wherever I want. The application also has a nice printing function to print all or selected items (e.g. software license keys) for hard disk crash proof off-site storage. Contact to the developer was quick, polite and useful, and requested new features (for me, license file storage was essential) have been implemented quickly. I am using this software now for almost a year and am very satisfied.

If you are trying to tidy up your life right now and want to consolidate all of those pieces of papers littering your desk, this would be a great IF you want to use it for software passwords and if you don't expect to get the key from Kagi immediately. I paid for this over 24 hours ago and still can only use the demo which limits you to 10 passwords. I think it is worth it to try the demo. I also have 1Password, but I find that is only really helpful for website passwords and logins. These are both cool for what they do, but I suggest being clear what you need the app for and playing with it first.

Can't go wrong here. It works great, is fast and easy to use, the developer is *very* responsive, even giving me tips and what not on importing abilities. Great Stuff here!

If this app is as flexible, comprehensive, and easy to use as described, then the decision to buy (esp at the discounted price) and use is definitely YES, go for it.

You know I've been using it today and it seems pretty darn solid and yet not to complicated user wise. Now this said the last person that wrote, has a point about the really handy feature in Password Wallet so who knows if the developer is listening,and enough people request it maybe he'll put that feature in the future.

What .Mac integration?

Possible replacement for old SplashID desktop app if data could be accurately and reliably synched with or exported to PalmOS, if 1Passwd doesn't get there first.

Has some interesting features and a great price. Drag and drop without re-typing is a very good thing especially if you own and license alot of software - like I do.

Looks good, but I already have 1Passwd and DataGuardian, I don't see how this differs from those two?

I use Web Confidential and was looking to update it. SecretBook sounds good but it is limited. My database is on a mac.com site, and I connect to it from various net locations. SecretBook just crashes when I try to create a file on mac.com. The download includes a Backup quickpick, but SecretBook is only peripherally synched with mac.com through user folder backups. I'll wait for something better.

non-conspicuous yet necessary when you want to store and guard important data!

That's a nice deal, I think. I am looking forward to using it. Thanks.

Beats the pants off of "Licensed" for storing software licenses

I've been looking for a good password app. Maybe this is it.

Great Product. The keychain access just suit my needs

Anybody knows what this app adds over OSX keychain?

An integration with PalmOS devices (like Dataviz's Password Plus) would be appreciated. An idea for next release.

I'm a comfirmed Password Wallet user and after looking at SecretBook, I think I prefer Password Wallet. It's totally secure, passworded and encrypted and can launch apps directly from within your file. Say you have an online banking account with a complex password - just open Password Wallet and click on the account and you are taken there with the password ready to use. Password Wallet quits when you close it or after a settable number of minutes of not being used. Check it out (at VersionTracker). --azcurt

Seems like a fine piece of software, but the problem is you often need a password (bank pin, whatever) when you're on the road, so a program that syncs with your mobile phone (like SplashId if you have a Treo) makes more sense.

At 50% off today, I'm going to buy it!! All these 5-star ratings can't be wrong and this is a capability I need.

Looks like just the ticket for all of those bank account details, ridiculous ISP usernames, ftp passwords etc that I have lying around everywhere. Looks like a very 'Apple' interface too, good work.

Like many others I have been waiting in vain for an update to PasswordMaster. SecretBook appears to be a great alternative.

I use Yojimbo, but this appears more secure for way less cash.

I use SplashID, partly because it has a conduit to sync with my Palm device.

It's a really nice program

This looks much better than PasswordRetriever, which I've been using for a while.

"I like the .Mac integration." What .Mac integration?

cool addition to the typical note-taking app

Add Camino support and maybe it can replace 1password

I tried the demo and I must say that I like it a lot. The possibility to add my own custom fields and attachment to entries are winning features for me (espacially useful with software licenses). I'm now thinking about switching from Wallet...

Oh, keeping things a secret can be very handy... Thanks for this application !!!

This seems just what I have searched for. but 10.4 only, again (Its really time for leopard. dont want to switch to Tiger now.)

im not very good with computers and programs- would this be easy to use?

Looks like a great app. I may have to take it for a spin.

If I wanted my very own digital Secret Book, this would be it ! Simple and elegant design.

looks like an awesome program! Definitely giving it a try!

i use 1Passwd Secure Notes to keep serials, but cant add license files.

I've got both 1Passdd and WebConfidential registered... but the developer for the latter has just dropped off the face of this Earth and not done anything to his app for a long time. While 1Passwd seems to concentrate on web integration I use WebConfidental to keep track of passwords and codes in general (software keys, bank accounts, passports)... ahem, SecretBook from now on that is.

Is it possible to add license files? the app look good.

I've used this app for about a month now and it is the best serial number/password storing program I have used! Defenatly get it!!!

Already am using 1passwd but will give this a try to see how it compares.

SecretBook is just one of those Mac apps that makes you glad you are using a Mac. Everything works the way you think it should, it looks great, and the developer responds quickly to questions. I had issues with formating my data so I could move close to 200 passwords out of the unsupported Wallet and into this gem. Of course if I had spent more time looking at the excellent help file would have found my answer there.

One handy part of this app is the Spotlight integration. You can easily access any secured data right in Spotlight.

This app is handy to have around because everything can be indexed nicely with Spotlight. I can grab my secured files easily with a simple Spotlight search.

Software offers 2 unique features not seen in most programs that offer encryption of data.. - the definition of templates (by group) defining the data fields to collect info for (new in SOHO notes this month). - the ability to insert and extract information via AppleScript. Only trick is that you have to remember your script is sending your password via an appleevent in the clear... Impressive..

I second that question, what makes the app better compared to mac os's own password center?

Definitely worth a try, especially with the discount.

Looks interesting, but 1Password seems to cover all of this. It has .Mac, secure notes, keychain integration, etc. The price on this is right, though!

I like the .Mac integration.

It looks interesting, but mostly for the notes part.

Hmmm ... what is the killer feature against e.g. 1Passwd or all the other container apps that contain encryption?

I've been using Mori for notes and 1Passwd for Secure things... I'm looking for a secure notebook app though...

Excellent in almost every respect. Especially the feature to copy secret fields without ever showing them on the screen is awesome. New releases tend to come maybe a little too often. Only one problem: It claims that I have two secret books, even though I only have one, and this makes opening of the right book a little too timeconsuming.

I'm curious - what does this app do that Keychain Access doesn't?

If you're leaving RadicalSafe, like I do, because it's not supported anymore and the bugs RadicalSafe has are very annoying, then SecretBook is your program. Importing all the stuff from RadicalSafe into SecretBook works within seconds, fantastic! Thanks a lot Information Graphics!

This is a great program with a lot of features that make it very safe. For example: You can make your passwords automatically hide after a specific time, lock when your Mac goes to sleep or after a specific time and your clipboard is cleared when the program is locked. It's also nice to be able to find things through Spotlight. Support is also very good, it's clear that the developer knows what he's doing and he really does something with the comment and requests he get.

I have a huge concern. What if this app "phones home" and transfers all your secrets? It would be great to hear the author's official statement on that.

Thanks for this nice application. But there are a few things that are really necessary: - Icon "All" has clumsy whitering around and the word "All" is to near to the Icon - Window-size is not saved - more optional fields for the items - more "default-values" are necessary - a customizable toolbar Nevertheless this is really the best app for Password management. Thanks