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Master Password, I want to protect my passwords from others to be read, but NOT to enter it every time I start Firefox

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

Roneye
Roneye
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I don't have any problems when a friend/collegue uses my computer/browser for some minutes, without needing to log out. So even the autofill-option of passwords feels okay to me. But I don't want him to see all my passwords in the security tabs as clear text! Isn't there a option to set a master-password to only protect the Site-Passwords from being displayed but nevertheless to start Firefox without entering the master-password?

I don't have any problems when a friend/collegue uses my computer/browser for some minutes, without needing to log out. So even the autofill-option of passwords feels okay to me. But I don't want him to see all my passwords in the security tabs as clear text! Isn't there a option to set a master-password to only protect the Site-Passwords from being displayed but nevertheless to start Firefox without entering the master-password?

All Replies (4)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I think Firefox asks for the master password either:

  • the first time you load a page for which you have saved a password
  • when attempting to view saved passwords in Options

If you have saved a login for your home page, that could explain why you get the question immediately. One option would be to change your home page to a blank page or the built-in home page as a workaround.

That said, I usually get prompted for the Master Password when clicking the Show Passwords button. This is a separate prompt from opening the dialog or logging in on a page. Does your Firefox not require the password again?

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If you use Sync the Firefox wil also ask for the Master Password.

The Sync version used in Firefox 34 and later uses the password manager to store the name (e-mail) and password to be used to connect to the Sync server. The chrome://FirefoxAccounts entry in the password manager stores the authentication data (kA and kB) in JSON format. Previous Firefox versions stored this data in the signedInUser.json file in the profile folder, but the current version only stores the sessionToken in this file and needs the password manager for the Sync credentials.

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
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To answer your question directly, no Firefox doesn't have a feature to have a password to keep someone who is sitting at your PC from viewing your passwords in Options > Security -> Saved Passwords -->Show Passwords.

cor-el
cor-el
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Names and passwords that are stored in the Password Manager are encrypted with the Master Password and you need to enter the MP to make it possible for Firefox to enter the name and password in a form on the web page. If necessary you will be prompted to enter the MP to log in to the Software Security Device and have access to names and passwords stored in the Password Manager.

You can log out from the Software Security Device (e.g. click Cancel in the Show Passwords dialog) to force re-entering the MP once again.

  • Options > Security: Passwords: "Saved Passwords" > "Show Passwords"

You can view the current status via this page (either Log In button or Log Out button is enabled):

  • Options > Advanced > Encryption: Certificates > Security Devices
    Select: Software Security Device: Log Out button