Security and passwords settings

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This document explains all of the optionspreferences available in the Security panel of the OptionsPreferences window of Mozilla Firefox. For other panels, see OptionsPreferences window.

The Security panel contains optionspreferences related to keeping your web browsing safe.

Security Panel - Win1Prefs - Security - MacPrefs - Security - Lin

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Security settings

  • Warn me when sites try to install add-ons: Firefox will always ask you to confirm installations of add-ons. To prevent unrequested installation prompts which may lead to accidental installations, Firefox warns you when a website tries to install an add-on and blocks the installation prompt. To allow installations from a specific site, click Exceptions..., enter the site name, and click Allow. Uncheck this to disable the warning for all sites.
  • Block reported attack sites: Check this if you want Firefox to check whether the site you are visiting may be an attempt to interfere with normal computer functions or send personal data about you to unauthorized parties over the Internet.
    • Note that the absence of a warning does not guarantee that a site is trustworthy.
  • Block reported web forgeries: Check this if you want Firefox to actively check whether the site you are visiting may be an attempt to mislead you into providing personal information (this is often referred to as phishing).
    • Note that the absence of a warning does not guarantee that a site is trustworthy. If you come across a "phishing" site which is not marked as such, please report it by clicking on the Help menu and selecting Report Web Forgery..., as explained in the menu reference. For more information, see How the phishing and malware protection in Firefox works.


Passwords

  • Remember passwords for sites: Firefox can securely save passwords you enter in web forms to make it easier to log on to websites. Clear this checkbox to prevent Firefox from remembering your passwords.
    • Even with this checked, however, you'll still be asked whether to save passwords for a site when you first visit it. If you select Never for This Site, that site will be added to an exceptions list. To access that list or to remove sites from it, click the Exceptions... button.
  • Use a master password: Firefox can protect sensitive information such as saved passwords and certificates by encrypting them using a master password. If you create a master password, each time you start Firefox, it will ask you to enter the password the first time it needs to access a certificate or stored password. You can set, change, or remove the master password by checking or unchecking this optionpreference or by clicking the Change Master Password... button. If a master password is already set, you will need to enter it in order to change or remove the master password.
  • You can manage saved passwords and delete individual passwords by clicking the Saved Passwords... button.


Warning Messages

Click the Settings… button to configure the security warnings Firefox displays while you browse the web.

Security Warnings Dialog

  • I am about to view an encrypted page: When this enabled, Firefox will notify you every time you are about to view an encrypted page.
  • I am about to view a page that uses low-grade encryption: With this enabled, Firefox will warn you when you visit a page which uses low-grade encryption.
  • I leave an encrypted page for one that isn't encrypted: With this enabled, Firefox will warn you every time you move from an encrypted page to an unencrypted page either by selecting a link on the page, selecting a bookmark or typing a new address into the location bar.
  • I submit information that's not encrypted: When this enabled, Firefox will warn you when you submit data via a form that's not encrypted.
  • I'm about to view an encrypted page that contains some unencrypted information: With this enabled, Firefox will warn you when the page you're viewing contains a mixture of encrypted and unencrypted content. If an encrypted page contains unencrypted data, you should verify the identity of the page you're viewing prior to entering sensitive data.


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