Internet services

LastPass is an online-only, browser-based password solution that works across multiple browsers, as well as offering a subscription-based smartphone solution. When we last reviewed it, we were enthused by its speed and ease of operation, but in the meantime the company had a security breach. According to the company, the breach was minor and only affected those with very weak master passwords, but it’s still something of a red flag in terms of trusting an online entity like this.

Keeper takes a slightly different tack; instead of being a one-off installed app, it’s a subscription service that covers cloud-based backup and synchronisation to mobile clients. The client requires an up-to-date Java installation. Setting up new passwords is easy enough, although we were alarmed by the fact that it does so with the password for each site displayed as plain text — this isn’t good security. Synchronisation is extremely wide and a big part of Keeper’s appeal, and it’ll sync to additional PCs, iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and the Chrome browser.

Clipperz embraces the web side of password management by being an entirely web-based cloud product. Each password is stored as its own ‘card’ and you can download your cards for offline use, but the key selling point is that you’ll only be accessing online services when you’re online anyway. The master password is the only way in or out of your account and it’s to the product’s credit that the security of the that password is prominently mentioned: lose it and your account is unrecoverable. Clipperz supports bookmarklets for easy direct login to your sites across a number of browsers.

Foxtel On Xbox 360 is the company’s first fully IP-only TV service. It’s a touch cheaper than regular Foxtel (available only in areas already serviced by Foxtel; Austar customers are currently out of luck) because you provide the set-top box and ISP-based delivery method. On the good news front, streaming in our tests at any of the three quality levels was very good, even over a meagre 3Mbps ADSL2+ connection. The bad news is rather more of a problem. The basic $19.50 package doesn’t encompass many channels, with a strong news/documentary focus.