The 1Password project has presented the first beta version of its online password manager for the Linux desktop. The project manages passwords, keys, certificates, credit card data, addresses and other access information for companies, teams, families and individuals on its servers and offers access via different platforms.

System clients for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Chrome OS and the Linux console have been available so far, as well as the web client 1Password X for Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. For the new Linux app, the developers promise a high level of integration into the Linux desktop with all the usual comfort and support for biometric login procedures.

The basics: Rust, Ring, React The backend is completely written in Rust and uses the ring crypto library for end-to-end encryption, as well as React for the component-based user interface. The developers want to guarantee tamper-proof, authenticated encryption, brute force protection with PBKDF2, secure vault release and account recovery. The security design can be found in the 1Password whitepaper.

The new Linux app is equipped with a quick search in the accounts including search suggestions. The unlock screen shows all the accounts that have been set up and allows the use of different passwords. The watchtower dashboard also provides suggestions for increasing password security. In addition, individual elements can be released and the releases overlooked in the “Move elements” dialog box. The account data can also be exported.

The main window of 1Password under Ubuntu

(Image: 1Password)

You need an account at 1password.com to use it. The prices depend on the account type. Available are: Individual, Family, Team, Business and Enterprise. The service includes automatic warnings about compromised websites and vulnerable passwords, one-to-one support, a digital wallet and a travel mode with which sensitive data on devices carried at border crossings can be deleted and then restored.

Free of charge for open source projects 1Password will set up free accounts for open source teams. All you need to do is register via the GitHub page 1Password for Open Source Projects.

The binaries of the Linux desktop app are available as apt and RPM packages for Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux and the Snap Store. There is also an AppImage for not yet supported distrib