Review: mSecure UWP
Score:
85%
Unbelievably, we don't seem to have reviewed this secure database (i.e. secret stuff manager) system before on AAWP. Even in the days of the WP8.1 version. And at some point a Windows 10 UWP version was released... and we still didn't review it. Partly the developers' fault for not, you know, contacting us - ever, but we should have spotted it anyway. Making up for lost time, here's a look at the latest generation of this massively sophisticated personal security tool.
mSecure is a 'secure database' in the classic sense - it's not a web site password auto-fill system like Lastpass (though there's a rudimentary clipboard copying system into Edge). The focus here is on remembering and protecting everything that's secret about your life. If you need information from it then you'll find that anything in the database can be copied to the clipboard manually and pasted elsewhere - just don't expect Edge automation.
Which I think is a Very. Good. Thing. Password automation systems are never 100% reliable, are prone to vulnerabilities, are typically limited in the types of data they can store, plus you never get to see your own passwords because they're handled without your input. With a secure database, passwords and PINs are shown when you need them and - subconsciously - your brain will register that your Facebook password is 'MyFaceP83' or whatever. Or that your bank account login id is '037391'. You don't need to remember either of these but there will be one day, at a friend's house or when travelling and when your phone's battery is dead or whatever, then you'll sit down at a strange computer and your brain will pop the details in for your fingers.
It's why I standardised on an open source secure database, KeePass, many years ago, for which there are clients for all platforms under the sun. There are even Window 10 Mobile versions, though none are implemented that well (I've spent two years researching them). Which is why I was interested to test out mSecure, whose developers are clearly star Windows coders.
Here's a spin through mSecure then, in its UWP form for Windows 10:
Idyllic, isn't it. mSecure has done such a good job with this and I can't recommend it highly enough.
There are just a couple of caveats. Firstly, it's not at all clear how to get secure data in from another source, should you be trying to migrate from a different secure database system (like KeePass). I couldn't find a way to do it. The short answer is that you'd have to build up your mSecure database from scratch, likely as not copying and pasting anything non-trivial in, field by field, from whatever you're currently using (perhaps a password-protected Word or Excel document?)
Secondly, mSecure isn't cheap, at £25 or so. Now, don't freak out, this is for the UWP application and, once bought on (e.g.) the phone then you can install and run the exact same UWP app on your (e.g.) Windows 10 tablet or laptop too. And possibly even more devices, bringing the cost per device down further. However, don't get too hung up on price - this system is going to hold your deepest and most valuable secrets, and as such is worth every penny to stop interlopers grabbing them. You're paying for the slickness and speed with mSecure - it's SO much more polished than its competitors.
PS. There's much more on mSecure here online.
PPS. Don't get too excited by the passwords, details and QR codes above, they're all dummies. In fact, feel free to log in as me and help populate the database with more sample data!!!
Reviewed by Steve Litchfield at