Opera "stole" all my saved passwords, login sessions, everything from Firefox
I am using latest version of Firefox 54.0.1 64bit. Today I wanted to try out Opera so I installed it. Once Opera is launched, when I used it to visit some websites I used to visit with Firefox, I found that the websites were already logged in with my accounts, or the login page would be auto filled in with my passwords saved in Firefox. Opera also imported my bookmarks from Firefox.
I am pretty sure I haven't chosen to import anything from Firefox. And even if I did, I don't think Firefox should allow other browsers to import saved passwords and login sessions. If Firefox does allow, this is a security breach.
All Replies (5)
hi, the way how firefox stores passwords and cookies is well documented and it's not a security breach when other programs import them (firefox will ask to import from other browses as well when you launch it for the first time). if you want to protect your passwords so that other programs/people using your device cannot access them you'd need to set a master password: Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords
Modified by philipp
That's....... new to me. I thought passwords and login sessions saved in Firefox are pretty safe........
So, that means any software installed in my PC can easily access my website passwords and login sessions saved in Firefox, and access my online services, like gmail, behind the scenes without me knowing?
yes and the same is true for every other browser besides firefox - if you can access it without any hurdles the same is inherently also possible for everyone/thing else that's active on your system (see http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/web_browser_password.html for an example)!
henleu said
So, that means any software installed in my PC can easily access my website passwords and login sessions saved in Firefox, and access my online services, like gmail, behind the scenes without me knowing?
Have you set a Master Password? That should make it difficult for other programs (and other humans) to use your saved logins. See: Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords.
Would you take a look at this thread please :
http://forums.opera.com/discussion/1872439/how-does-opera-know-my-logins/p1