WRT Settings 1.20

Since I created WRT settings there weren’t too many versions. It is as simple as it gets - you have list of name value pairs, formats are well defined and that’s it.

However, Iv7777 found an issue in way how encryption works for AsusWRT v2 configuration format. He has a bit longer explanation in addition to his fix. Short version is that some random values are not working properly with Asus’ configuration file encryption. Leaving aside discussion on how useful this encryption is in the first place, I give you new version with this correction.

In addition to this major issue, there is a bugfix for handling empty DD-WRT files and program has been upgraded to use .NET Framework 4.

As always, new version is available either from application itself or from project’s page.

Bimil 2.00

For this version probably the most notable change is copy/paste support. I know, how the heck can application in 2017 not support copy/paste in the first place. I can definitely think of an excuse or two but reality is that it was an inexcusable omission. Similar in the “revolutionary concepts”, finally a right-click menu is available so you don’t need to open an entry just to copy a password.

A lot of work has been done around textual passwords. As compared to the previous version, word count has gone down (27261 before vs 17701 now) but words that remained should be a bit easier to remember. Considering the default recommendation of 5 words per password is still giving you about 1 millennium in the worst case, I would say it is worth it. And don’t forget that estimate is conservative as heck: it assumes everybody knows all words you’ve used and that attacker can do 100 trillion guesses per second.

I also took liberty in removing the words found in the most common leaked passwords as well as showing the warning to user if he uses one. You can remove that warning in the Options at your own peril. :)

Filtering of entries has been improved, especially for the PasswordSafe imported categories. Additionally one can simply write * to show all elements and that should help the searches as well. Likewise Auto-type form got a bit of cleanup. Basic auto-type didn’t change but fields got Tab and Enter suffix each. It makes filling out information on forms much easier without having to predefine exact format.

A separate form for password history and other details has been added. While it doesn’t show anything that you couldn’t see in the old historical password combo box, different presentation does wonders for clarity.

Two noticeable changes happened on the setup side. The first one is change to .NET Framework 4 as .NET 2.0 simply became way too restrictive. I still didn’t want to leave Windows XP users stranded so this was as far as I was willing to go. You will also notice that most of settings are not stored in registry any more but in textual file. This should make those using Bimil without installing it much happier. :)

A few additional minor changes and bug-fixes were made but I will leave it for you to discover. As always, you can download new version from Bimil pages or upgrade from within application.

Bimil 1.70

For this version I mostly concentrated on getting auto-type working properly. Lot of bug fixes and improvements were done to it. It will work regardless of caps-lock state, added enter and tab keys, and looks on high-DPI screen have been improved; to name a few.

Start dialog has been improved too - most notable change being support for read-only files. And that doesn’t stop at start dialog as application now handles that pesky attribute without an issue.

Additional Run Command field has been added to allow for running any application directly from Bimil. It even supported environment variables (e.g. %APPDATA%) for better usability.

In any case, a new version can be downloaded either directly from application or from Bimil pages.

HamCheck 1.20

I am getting into the age when memory is not what it used to be. That is the only excuse I have for missing 2016 release of Extra Class Ham exam question pool by 3 months.

So, you’ve guessed it, this update includes the latest US amateur radio exam questions for Extra class alongside the unchanged General and Technician pools.

The newly added Extra pool has total of 712 questions. As before, there is a Technician pool consisting of 426 questions and the General Class pool with 462 question.

This program still remains one of the rare with keyboard-only operation and a high-DPI support and you can download the new version here.

Bimil 1.60

Once more, a new version of Bimil is here.

A major feature of this version is auto-type. Yes, copy/paste is not too hard but there is something magical about watching computer do it for you. Pretty much any fields can be automatically typed along with default Username <TAB> Password <TAB> <ENTER> combination. Those needing something specific can take a look in the read-me file and create combination of their choice. Pretty much all options from PasswordSafe are supported alongside a few Bimil-specific fields (e.g. two-factor authentication code).

While the password generator had a nice word selection already, it never hurts to expand it. For this I have used personal names and geographical features alongside the works of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Bible. Choice was driven mostly by desire to get wide selection of words that are easy to remember. Say what you want about these books but they are well known.

To scratch my own itch I have added a QR Code field. While you can pretty much add any text here and it will get QRification treatment, my particular problem was dealing with QR codes intended for settings of IoT devices.

The smallest of the features is adding a read-only mode. If you have file that you rarely need to change, this will come in handy.

As always, the newest version is available for download Bimil or you can upgrade it from within application.

Bimil 1.51

One of major issues reported with Bimil was the lack of password generator. In this version, you have two. :)

Classic password generator will allow you selection of password length and what it will consist of. You can choose between lower and upper letters, numbers, and special characters. Length can be anywhere between 4 (you’re crazy) and 99 (you’re paranoid) characters. For those of weak heart, generated passwords can be simplified a bit. It is pretty standard stuff really.

Followers of XKCD have probably seen his word-based password cartoon. For those taking his (actually quite good) recommendation to heart, Bimil now allows for random generation of just such passwords. It has a database of over 15,000 English words and 12,000 names so it should provide reasonable variety. Additionally it allows for further strengthening by using numbers and special characters so good entropy can be achieved even if somebody knows exactly which dictionary you used.

Both will give you a highly pessimistic view on how good your password is. It assumes omnipotent enemy and exaggerates his power. It is probably a bit too paranoid but it won’t hurt a bit. Just remember that any password with an 1 year estimate is actually pretty good. Of course, aiming for Eternity rating will give you more nerd points. :)

With more and more passwords it gets rather difficult to find what is where. While title does give a hint, often a search within content is needed. Now you can search for anything appearing in any of the visible fields. It definitely helps in situations when you remember user name or some similar detail but you don’t remember exact title.

For some purposes it comes in handy to track previous passwords. If you add password history field to any item, Bimil will remember up to three password changes before it starts dropping the oldest one. Most of the time you won’t need it but it beats manual storing of password in notes when you do.

In addition to these changes, lot of small improvements have happened but I will leave you to discover them when you download Bimil or upgrade from within application.

Bimil 1.30

Here is another small update for my password manager Bimil.

A single major feature for this release is local QR code generation for two-factor key. Up to now, if you wanted to use Authenticator or similar application, Bimil would use QR Code Generator API. While they do use HTTPS and they claim not to record keys, sending this information over the Internet was a security issue in my mind. As of this version, QR code is generated within application without any external components.

Other notable change is allowing timeouts to be configurable. While I do like timeout functionality, not everybody does and now it can be turned off or adjusted.

As always, feel free to download the latest release.

Bimil 1.20

Here is a small update for my password manager Bimil.

This release is mostly about fixing and adjusting behavior of the start screen. For example, now missing files can be removed once you try to open them and I’ve fixed crashing when there is no previously loaded files.

Search is refactored a bit to better match items within category and Bimil will auto-close if you leave it unattended for a while.

Feel free to download latest release.

Bimil 1.10

Although I kept Bimil, my password manager, without a version for more than five years, version 1.10 comes right on heels of the 1.00.

Most noticeable change is adding the Start window. While not offering anything that isn’t possible in rest of the program, it does help speed-up opening of recently used files. Opening files in read-only mode also becomes possible and I’m sure this will be handy feature to many.

Fields have been refactored a bit; two-factor authentication and CVV buttons are hidden by default and former has gotten an option to show code instead of just copy.

Alongside a few minor fixes, feedback form has been moved to https. It just felt wrong to have password manager send messages via unencrypted channels. :)

As always, upgrade is available directly from program or these pages while source can be found on GitHub.

Bimil and Summae

After using it myself for last five years, I finally decided to give my password manager a version 1.00 designator.

It is a simple password manager using Password Safe database format. Unlike Password Safe, it allows for storage of credit cards and two-factor authentication keys. Give it a try and see whether you like it.

Other application that got slight version bump is Summae. It now supports per user context menu settings. On other hand, you cannot install it on Windows Vista and below. If you are using Windows 7 you are good. If not, upgrade. :)