Passpack, the online username and password manager, just announced the 6th version of their initial beta release.

Passpack stands above its competition by offering *multiple* levels of security including a master password and packing key (which can both be multiple words or entire sentences for additional security) in addition to a verification phrase and automatic session time-outs.

For each entry you create (see figure 1 below), you have multiple options for details including: username, password, URL, notes, tags and associated email address.

Figure 1: New account entry

When you’ve added your existing accounts via the online application’s import feature or via manual creation, finding the entry from the main entries listing (see figure 2 below) couldn’t be easier.  The "find-as-you-type" search box offers extremely fast discovery of your account information.

Once you’ve found the account you’re looking for, click on it and then click on the "scrambled" password field.  Voila!  Your password is automatically copied to the clipboard.

Figure 2: PassPack master entries listing

You also have the option of creating an auto-login bookmarklet.  Clicking on said bookmarklet while at a site for which you have credentials stored in PassPack will automatically log you in to that site.

At the moment, I’m currently unable to save any modifications in the Beta 6 release so you may want to stick with the Beta 5 release for now.  (The 6th release was just presented to users today, May 31,  so it’s most likely just a temporary problem.)  That said, I’ve been using Passpack for about a half-year now and I honestly would be lost without it.  I’m comforted by the application’s multiple levels of security…and the level of convenience of having all of my account information in one place is priceless.  Previously, I used the portable version of the KeePass password manager stored on a flash drive.  (I’m loving the fact that I no longer have to constantly keep track of that tiny drive anymore.)

Once the beta period is complete, free accounts will be limited to 400 (this could change) account entries.  From what I can tell, the company plans to monetize the service by offering advanced accounts capable of handling MORE than 400 accounts.  (Hey, apparently I’ll need one.)

If you’re interested in learning more about the service (and the company behind it), I strongly encourage you to check out their official blog: http://passpack.wordpress.com.  There are numerous articles on the blog providing details on features offered by the service and there’s also some great discussions on security.

One last thing, Passpack offers you an option to carry your data elsewhere by providing an export option alongside the import option you’ll most likely be using when creating your initial account at Passpack.com.