Home               Products               Partners               Press               Support
DataVault Home Page
FAQs for other versions: iPhone iPad iPod Touch, Windows, BlackBerry

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ascendo DataVault Password Manager for Mac OS

- Where can I download DataVault for Mac?
- Where can I download the DataVault plugin for Safari and Firefox?
- Where can I buy DataVault for Mac?
- Can I try DataVault for Mac before I decide whether I want to purchase it?
- What is the latest version of DataVault for Mac?
- What's new in the latest version of DataVault for Mac?
- How can I find out when new versions are released?
- Can I transfer my license from a different platform?
- I can't remember my master password. What are my options?
- I installed Mac OS X Lion and I have problems viewing information in older versions of DataVault. What should I do?
- Each time I start DataVault, I am prompted to select a new password. How can I fix this?
- DataVault is not saving new entries. What could be the problem?
- How can I transfer data between DataVault for Windows and DataVault for Mac OS?
- Can I sync DataVault for Mac with DataVault for Windows?
- I am unable to sync DataVault for Mac and DataVault on a mobile device over Wi-Fi. What could be the problem?
- I am not able to sync via Mobile Me. What could be the problem?
- How do I setup an ad-hoc network to synchronize DataVault for Mac with DataVault on my iPhone?
- How can I skip to the next line when entering information in the Notes section of an item?
- How can disable or remove the DataVault plugin for Safari and Firefox?
- What type of encryption has been implemented in DataVault?
- Why did Ascendo choose Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) over other encryption methods?


Question: Where can I download DataVault for Mac?
Answer: If you purchased DataVault through the Mac App Store, you can download the latest version by clicking on the Updates button in the top right of the Mac App Store menu bar.
If you purchased DataVault for Mac from our web site, or you would like to try DataVault before purchase, click here to download the latest version. You may need to open your downloads folder and click on DataVaultMac(Version).pkg to begin the installation process. To download DataVault for Mac as a zip file, click here. Then extract the zip file and click on DataVaultMac(Version).pkg to begin the installation process.


Question: Where can I download the DataVault plugin for Safari and Firefox?
Answer: To download and install the plugin for DataVault, follow the steps below.

  • If necessary, uninstalled previous versions of the DataVault plugin, see instructions below.
  • Download and install DataVault Plugin for Safari and Firefox by clicking here.
  • To complete the Firefox Toolbar installation, compatible with Firefox Version 5, copy http://ascendo-inc.com/downloads/DataVaultFirefoxV4_4_2.xpi to the Firefox address field and click on return. If Firefox is the default browser then simply click here to start installation. The DataVault Toolbar is also available from the Firefox web site.

Question: Where can I buy DataVault for Mac?
Answer: DataVault for Mac is available for purchase from the sites listed below.

  • Mac App Store (Recommended for users with Mac OS X 10.6 and above.)
  • Ascendo Store (Users who are unable to purchase through the Mac App Store.)

Question: Can I try DataVault for Mac before I decide whether I want to purchase it?
Answer: Yes, the version of DataVault for Mac available from our web site comes with a free 30-day free trial. After the trial period, you can purchase DataVault from the Mac App Store or from our web site.


Question: What is the latest version of DataVault for Mac?
Answer: Version 4.4.22 (Mac App Store) and 4.4.21 (Ascendo Web Site). The only major difference is the free trial period offered in the version found on our web site.


Question: What's new in the latest version of DataVault for Mac?
Answer: Please see the Release Notes page for a list of improvements in the latest version.


Question: How can I find out when new versions are released?
Answer: You can follow Ascendo on Twitter to receive real-time alerts when new version are released.


Question: Can I transfer my license from a different platform?
Answer: No, however DataVault for Mac is currently on sale for $9.95 instead of the list price of $19.95.


Question: I can't remember my master password. What are my options?
Answer: Tap on Unmask to show your master password in clear text. If you set up a hint question during a previous session, tap on Hint and answer the question to retrieve your password. If neither suggestion works, you can reset the database by entering the wrong password repeatedly until you have exceeded the maximum login attempts. This will erase the database. When you restart DataVault you will be prompted to select a new master password.


Question: I installed Mac OS X Lion and I have problems viewing information in older versions of DataVault. What should I do?
Answer: Mac OS X Lion contains changes to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that make information stored in earlier versions of DataVault appear garbled. You can correct this by installing the latest version of DataVault for Mac.
If you synced earlier versions of DataVault for Mac and you are having problems starting DataVault on your iOS device, install the latest update (v4.3.52 or above) of DataVault for iOS from the iTunes App Store and try again.
If you are still having problems, email tech support at wallet_support@ascendo-inc.com


Question: Each time I start DataVault, I am prompted to select a new password. How can I fix this?
Answer: This will occur if DataVault is unable to save data to your hard disk. DataVault creates a file called DataVault.db in Users\username\Documents, where username is the name of the user who installed DataVault. To fix this, start Mac Finder and check to see if the path and folder exist. If not, create them and reinstall DataVault. If the path and folder do exist, check if configuration settings restrict DataVault from writing to DataVault.db, then try changing the setting and re-install DataVault. If you continue to have problems, backup your data and reset the database by selecting File > Reset DataBase from the menu bar.


Question: DataVault is not saving new entries. What could be the problem?
Answer: In rare cases, the DataVault database may become damaged. If DataVault is not saving new entries, backup the your data by selecting File > Backup from the menu bar. Then re-install DataVault and restore your data by selecting File > Restore from the menu bar.


Question: How can I transfer data between DataVault for Windows and DataVault for Mac desktops?
Answer: You can transfer data between DataVault desktops by importing and exporting in DataVault Exchange Format. Please note: If you are not using the latest versions of the desktops, Category and Type information may not transfer.
To transfer data from DataVault for Windows to DataVault for Mac, follow the steps below.

  • Start DataVault for Windows and select Tools > Export > Full DataBase from the menu bar.

  • Start DataVault for Mac and select File > Import DVX from the menu bar.

To transfer data from DataVault for Mac to DataVault for Windows, follow the steps below.

  • Start DataVault for Mac and select File > Export DVX from the menu bar.

  • Start DataVault for Windows and select Tools > Import > DataVault eXchange from the menu bar.


Question: Can I sync DataVault for Mac with DataVault for Windows?
Answer: At this time, you cannot sync DataVault for Mac directly with DataVault for Windows. There are two options for keeping both versions of DataVault desktop in sync.
1) Use your handheld device as a conduit. First, sync the most up-to-date copy of DataVault desktop with DataVault running on an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or BlackBerry. Then sync DataVault running on your handheld device to DataVault running on the other desktop.
2) Export your DataVault database as a DataVault Exchange (DVX) file from the most recently updated desktop. Then import the DVX file into DataVault running on the other desktop. Please note: Importing DVX files will overwrite the DataVault data file (one way synchronization).


Question: I am unable to sync DataVault for Mac and DataVault on a mobile device over Wi-Fi. What could be the problem?
Answer: Synchronization over Wi-Fi may require modifying several system settings. In addition, security applications such as Firewalls, VPNs and virus protection packages may block communicate over Wi-Fi. If you continue to have problems after trying the troubleshooting tips below, we recommend that you consider cloud sync as described in the iOS user guide.

1) Synchronization requires recent versions of the products. If necessary, backup your data and install the latest versions of DataVault for Mac, DataVault for iOS or DataVault for BlackBerry.

2) Synchronization requires that the master password used with DataVault for Mac be the same as the master password used with DataVault on your mobile device. To verify your master password, unmask it while logging in. To change the master password, select Change Password from the DataVault for Mac menu bar.

3) Verify that you are following the correct sequence as described below.

  • Start DataVault for Mac and select File > Wireless Synchronization from the main menu. Do not close the synchronization window until synchronization has completed.
  • Start DataVault on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch then tap on the tools icon in the navigation bar and select Synchronization. A list of devices detected on your Wi-Fi network should appear. If not, see below for trouble-shooting options.
  • Tap on the desktop which is running DataVault then tap on the Synchronize button. On DataVault for Mac v4.3.3 or above, the DataVault desktop sync service will appear as DataVault (Mac Name)

4) DataVault uses Apple's Bonjour discovery protocol to synchronize over Wi-Fi. Bonjour is present on all Macs with iTunes. You can install the latest version from the Bonjour support page.

5) Make sure both your handheld device and desktop computer have Wi-Fi turned on and that they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, see instructions below.

  • iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch: Tap on Settings > Wi-Fi > Choose a Network.
  • Mac OS desktops: Click on AirPort icon in menu bar, select a network from list. A checkmark should appear to the left of the network name.
  • Windows 7 & Vista: Click on Start > Network > Network and Sharing Center > View wireless networks.
  • Windows XP: Right-click on the wireless network icon in the task bar then select View Available Wireless Networks.

6) Try setting the IP address for your desktop manually. To do this, start DataVault on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, tap on the option icon in the navigation bar, select Synchronize, then tap on the field labeled DataVault Desktop ip address. To find your desktop IP address, see the instructions below.

  • Mac OS: Start System Preferences and click on Network icon. Your IP address is in the Status section.

  • Windows & Vista: Click on Start and type Run in the search field. Click on Run in the search results list to start the Windows command line, then type ipconfig and click on the return key to display your IP address.


7) If you are running a Firewall on your Mac (Preferences > Security > Firewall)), give DataVault permission to exchange information through the Firewall.

8) If you are using virtualization software such as VM Ware or Parallels, set the Network Adapter to Bridged Mode; then restart your computer. To do this with VMWare, select Virtual Machine > Settings > Network > Connect directly to the physical network (Bridged).

9) Check to see if other apps such as anti-virus software or VPNs are blocking Wi-Fi access & reconfigure if necessary.

10) Disable 3G on your iPhone by selecting Settings > General > Network then set Enable 3G to Off and sync again.

11) Reboot your handheld and desktop and try to synchronize again.

If you are still having problems, please contact technical support at wallet_support@ascendo-inc.com.


Question: I am not able to sync via Mobile Me. What could be the problem?
Answer: The Mobile Me username that you enter into DataVault settings should not include @mac.com or @me.com. Verify the Mobile Me username setting in both DataVault for iOS and DataVault desktop and try to sync again.


Question: How do I setup an ad-hoc network to synchronize DataVault for Mac with DataVault on my iPhone?
Answer: An ad-hoc network is a direct connection over Wi-Fi that doesn't require a network router or internet connection. To setup an ad-hoc network between your Mac and your iPhone, follow the steps below.

  • Click the Airport icon in the Mac menu bar and select Create Network.
  • Select and name for the network and set up an optional password to connect.
  • Join the new network from your iPhone or iPod Touch by tapping on Settings > Wi-Fi.
  • Open DataVault on both the handheld and desktop and proceed with synchronization.

Question: How can I skip to the next line when entering information in the Notes section of an item?
Answer: Go to the end of a line in the Notes field, hold down the Control key and click on the Return.


Question: How can disable or remove the DataVault plugin for Safari and Firefox?
Answer: To disable or remove the DataVault plugin, follow the steps below.

  • For Safari, select Safari > Preference > Extensions from the menu bar, then uncheck Enable or click on Uninstall.
  • For Firefox, select Tools > Add-ons > Extensions for the menu bar, then click on Disable or Remove. Then go to the /users/username/Library/Application Support/Mozilla/Extensions/{ec8030...}/ folder and delete the datavault@ascendo.inc folder. Please note that username and {ec8030...} will be different on your desktop.
  • For Safari and Firefox, complete the removal process by deleting DataVaultPlugin.bundle from the /Library/Internet Plugins folder.

Question: What type of encryption has been implemented in DataVault?
Answer: DataVault encrypts data using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a symmetric-key encryption standard adopted by several governments including that of the United States, as well as numerous industry leaders in security sensitive fields. The standard comprises 128-bit block size ciphers published under the name of the Rijndael algorithm. DataVault uses a 128-bit key. Experts have calculated that a 128-bit AES key would take a super computer 149 trillion years to crack. The AES ciphers have been analyzed extensively and are used worldwide. For more information, see Wikipedia.


Question: Why did Ascendo choose Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) over other encryption methods?
Answer: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) chose the Rijndael algorithm as the new Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) over alternatives including
Twofish (successor of Blowfish), Serpent, RC4 and MARS. The announcement concluded a multi-year effort working with government, industry and academia throughout the world. Proposed by two Belgian cryptographers, AES has emerged as the clear winner and has since been adopted as a worldwide standard. See links below for more information.

  • AES Questions and Answers (NIST), "When considered together, Rijndael's combination of security, performance, efficiency, ease of implementation and flexibility makes it an appropriate selection for the AES."
  • Advanced Encryption Standard (Wikipedia), "AES was announced by NIST... on November 26, 2001 after a 5-year standardization process in which fifteen competing designs were presented and evaluated..."
  • Is AES stronger than Blowfish?, "AES has higher design strength than Blowfish... It's also just much newer - it has the advantage of incorporating several more years of advances in the cryptographic art".
  • The importance of IV's, "Rijndael was chosen to be the new AES because it was deemed to be more secure than Blowfish. Keep in mind that Blowfish never even made it into the AES competition."



FAQs for other versions: iPhone iPad iPod Touch, Windows, BlackBerry
DataVault Home Page




Copyright © Ascendo Inc. All rights reserved.