Like other browsers, Firefox can store usernames and passwords that you use to access email accounts and online services, such as your bank web site. Since these critical elements of private data are stored in files on your local computer, they represent a security risk and should be protected.

Using the Master Password feature, you can protect all of your locally stored usernames and passwords with a master password. When a stored username or password is accessed, you or anyone accessing it must enter the master password first.

Table Of Contents

• Defining a master password
• Using the master password
• Changing or removing the master password

Defining a master password

By default, Firefox does not use master passwords to protect stored credentials. To define a master password:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Click the Security icon.
3. Check mark Use a master password.
   
   
   
   
4. The Change Master Password dialog appears. As you enter your master password, the Password quality meter indicates the difficulty of guessing the password. To create a quality password, your master password should include the following:
   1. At least one capital letter
   2. One or more digits
   3. At least one non-alphanumeric character, such as the following: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ).
5. The password must be entered twice to confirm that you can enter it consistently.
   
   
   
   
6. To set the master password, click OK.
7. The master password is defined.

Using the master password

After you have defined a master password, you are prompted for it whenever you visit a web site, for which you have previously saved your credentials.

Note: The master password only needs to be provided once per session.

Changing or removing the master password

You can change or remove your master password at any time:

1. At the top of the Firefox windowOn the menu bar, click on the ToolsFirefoxEdit menu, and select Options...Preferences....
2. Click the Security icon.
3. Click Change Master Password.
4. Enter the current password to confirm you are authorized to change it.
   • If you've forgotten your master password, see Forgot my master password.
5. Enter the new master password twice.
   • To remove the master password, leave the new master password fields empty.
6. To accept the changed master password, click OK.
7. The master password is changed.

Based on information from Master password (mozillaZine KB)