A short collection of habits that make PanicVault safer and easier to live with. Each section below is a small change you can make once and benefit from every day.
Protect Your Master Password
- Choose a unique, strong master password that you do not use anywhere else
- Consider using a passphrase (several random words) for easier memorization
- Never share your master password
- If you write it down, store the paper in a secure physical location (like a safe)
The Password Generator can create a passphrase for you.
Make Regular Backups
- Export your vault periodically and store the .kdbx file in a safe backup location
- If you use iCloud Drive or Google Drive sync, your vault is automatically backed up to the cloud
- Consider keeping a copy on an external drive or a second cloud service for extra safety
- The .kdbx file is fully encrypted – it is safe to store backups in locations you do not fully control
Exporting is covered in Vault Settings.
Use TOTP for Important Accounts
- Set up two-factor authentication on your most important accounts (email, banking, social media)
- Store the TOTP secrets in PanicVault alongside the passwords
- This gives you 2FA codes without relying on a separate authenticator app
See Two-Factor Authentication (TOTP) for setup steps.
Organize with Groups and Tags
- Create groups for different categories (Personal, Work, Finance, Social Media)
- Use nested subgroups for finer organization
- Add tags for cross-cutting categories (for example, “important”, “shared”, “expiring”)
- Use the search feature to quickly find entries when your vault grows large
See Groups & Folders and Entries (Passwords).
Set Entry Expiration Dates
- Set expiry dates on entries for accounts where you want to rotate passwords regularly
- Expired entries show a visible “EXPIRED” badge so you know which passwords need updating
Review Lock Timeout Settings
- Keep the lock timeout short (30 seconds or 1 minute) for maximum security
- If you are in a secure environment, you can extend the timeout
- Remember that the same timeout applies when the app goes to the background – if you briefly switch apps and come back before the timer expires, the vault stays unlocked
The timeout lives in Security & Settings.
