![]() ![]() ![]() You can configure certain logins (like, say, your bank’s) to require you to re-enter your master password before they can be used.You can specify the master password be re-entered after a period of inactivity.You’ll get nothing out of a password vault’s database until you’ve specified your master password. Unlike your browser, however, a master password is required. Like the browser, these tools store your information in a database on your machine. I’m a strong believer in using dedicated “password managers” or “password vaults”, explicitly designed to keep website logins and much more secure. Let a utility save your passwords instead In addition, if the browser supports it, instruct it to require the master password more often than just once when you start using the browser - perhaps again after some amount of time has passed. If you’re going to use your browser’s password vault, I strongly recommend you place a master password on it. They may also be able to view passwords and make off with them. If you have your passwords stored in the browser’s password vault, anyone can walk up to your machine and wreak all sorts of havoc. A master password further encrypts the database and prevents hacker access, but it does something much more important: it prevents casual access. Second, most people fail to place a “master password” on the database. There are even utilities that display the database contents, including the passwords, for some browsers. While this has definitely improved over the years, depending on the browser it may be possible for a hacker to extract the contents should they gain access to your machine. Unfortunately, there are a couple of security issues.įirst, the database is sometimes not quite as secure as we want it to be. It fetches the information as needed and fills it in for you. If you allow it, most web browsers maintain their own database of usernames and login information collected on your behalf. This should have you thinking very carefully about your security.Īnyone who can walk up to your computer is able to examine your passwords quickly and easily. Internet Explorer and Edge use the Windows credential store, which you can also use to examine saved passwords. Most browsers let you do this here are instructions for Google Chrome, for example. (Click for larger image.)Ĭlick the eye icon next to the row of dots representing the password, and you’ll see the actual password.Ī few clicks, and all your passwords are visible. Click on one in the left-hand pane, and you’ll see information about that login. This page lists the sites for which you have login information saved. Click on Privacy & Security in the left-hand pane.Type the ALT key to expose the menu bar.If you have your browser remember passwords for you and you’re wondering why this is even an issue, do the following in Firefox: For better security and greater convenience, use a dedicated password vault instead.If you let your browser remember passwords, specify a master password to prevent unauthorized access. ![]() When you do, it’s easy to view actual passwords.Letting your browser remember passwords can be risky. ![]()
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