Installing 1Password for the very first time involves creating the initial master password (you can change it later if you desire). This password is used to unlock the 1Password keychain and access all your data contained within 1Password. Without this password, no one can access your 1Password data when the 1Password keychain is locked. Obviously, this is the one password you will need to remember and is the reason that the program is named 1Password. I want to address a couple of issues that arise from time to time regarding the master password.
1. There is no way to recover a lost or forgotten master password so choose wisely
If you create a master password and later forget it you can forget about accessing your data unless you can figure it out or somehow remember it. There is no backdoor, special procedure, or anything we can do to recover your master password if you forget it. The only thing you can do is to start over from scratch.
Here is the procedure for starting over:
Exit 1Password
If you using the OS X keychain format for your 1Password data:
Rename the 1Password.keychain file located in the User_Name >> Library >> Keychains folder to 1Password.keychain.forgot
or
If you are using the new Agile keychain format for your data (and you should):
Rename the 1Password.agilekeychain file located in the User_Name >> Library >> Application Support >> 1Password folder to 1Password.forgot
If you are using Dropbox, iDisk, or some other location to store the data file then look there instead of the locations above.
Start 1Password
1Password will create a new blank keychain and allow you to assign a master password.
2. If you have data in 1Password that family members may need to access in the event of your untimely demise provide them a means to do so.
None of us like to think about this and unfortunately we often do not plan for it enough. However, save your family members the burden of not being able to access your financial accounts and other important information by leaving information about 1Password and your master password in a secure location. This could be a locked file cabinet or a safety deposit box. Generally think of this as the same location you would keep your will or other important documentation left to survivors.
However...
3. Do not keep your master password on a sticky note next to your computer or any other place that would be easy to access if a thief were to steal your Mac. Instead, choose a password that you can remember but would be hard for others to figure out.
Choose what works best for you in this regard but here are a couple of ideas for choosing.
a. Make an acronym from a phrase by choosing the first letter of each word. Here's an example using numbers as well.
"I got my first car in 1912 and it was fast" becomes igmfci1912aiwf
b. Choose a phrase with or without delimiters.
ireallylove!bothofmychilderen&mywife
This one might better suited for faster typers. :)
c. Choose a pattern on the keyboard. For example, using the 10 key pad I could start with the 7 key and make a big number 7. Try it. (78951) The letter C would be 9874123 and S is 987456321. So CS7 becomes 987412398745632178951. Doesn't take that long to type, is easy to remember, but would give a brute force hack attempt a nightmare.
Again, choose any method you are comfortable with but do not forget it. :)
4. You can change your master password anytime you want.
This is done by clicking on the button shown below in the 1Password preferences.
