Passbolt

At VSHN we use Passbolt as our official password manager. This page contains all the information you need to get it up and running.

Installation

  1. To be able to install Passbolt, you will need an invitation provided by Corporate IT

  2. Follow the Passbolt User Documentation to set it up.

  3. Once you receive an invitation to join, follow the link and install the browser addon. Note: Unfortunately, there isn’t a browser addon for Safari yet, so please use Chrome or Firefox.

  4. Make sure to keep the private key that Passbolt gives to you during the set up, you will need this if you ever change browser or computer.

If you change browser or computer, it will make you go through the account recovery process, for which you need your private key and your password (which you stored on your personal password manager according to the passbolt initial setup). There is no way to reset your password or to get your private key back. If you have lost either of these, your account will need to be deleted and re-created.

How to use

Passbolt is similar to other password managers in that it uses a browser plugin to allow you to input credentials into forms without ever even seeing the password. You can also search for passwords directly from the addon, or you an use the web interface by logging in here: cloud.passbolt.com/vshn/. There is also a redirect from passbolt.vshn.net to this.

Process

Passbolt does not allow administrators to add users to groups before they have activated their account. This means that your account will need to be added to the relevant groups in the admin interface after you have activated your account.

Finding file attachments

Unfortunately, Passbolt does not support file attachments to passwords yet, it is in their roadmap for 2022. Text files have been stored in the encrypted description field of passwords and picture files have been stored in NextCloud, with links put in the password description field.

FAQ

Can I use Passbolt in two separate browsers?

Yes, see How to Use on a Second Browser/Computer in VSHN’s Passbolt User Documentation

Can I use Passbolt with my Mac?

Yes, but not on Safari. According to Passbolt’s download site it’s coming "soon" (as of 2024-12-10).

Can I use Passbolt to save my personal passwords?

We, don’t recommend to use it for personal passwords. If you lost your private key (for example if you did not follow How do VSHNeers get access to Passbolt? the first time you installed Passbolt), then the admin has to delete your account on Passbolt and re-invite you to our Passbolt group. That will create a new account and you will lose your private passwords. An admin cannot reset your password for Passbolt, so once you lose access, all is gone which was personal.