A Master Password protects access to your stored passwords in the Password Manager. Firefox can save usernames and passwords that you use to access online services, such as banking and email websites. The use of a Master password is highly recommended to protect your passwords.

• For other privacy issues related to sharing a computer, see How do I share Firefox between people on a computer?

By setting a Master Password, anyone using your profile will be prompted to enter the Master Password when access to your stored passwords is needed. You will also need to setup a master password if you wish to install S/MIME certificates. You can access the Password Manager via "Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: Show Passwords".You need to set one, see "Setting a master password" below for how to do that. You can see the Master password as a way to authenticate who you are to the Software Security Device just like you do to a server on a web site: you log in to a web site and enter your credentials and you do the same if supply 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. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Click the Security panel.
3. Check mark Use a master password.

   

   • The Change Master Password dialog appears.
4. Enter your master password. The Password quality meter will indicate the difficulty of guessing the password. To create a quality password, your master password should include the following:
   • At least one capital letter.
   • One or more digits.
   • At least one non-alphanumeric character, such as the following: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ).
   • Also, remember to make your password something that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess to ensure that you, and only you, will be able to retrieve this secure information. For more information on choosing passwords, see Choose a strong password.
5. Enter the password a second time to confirm that you can enter it consistently.

   

6. To set the master password, click OK.
7. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Removing the master password

If you don't need a master password, you can remove it at any time:

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Click the Security panel.
3. Uncheck mark Use a master password. The Remove Master Password dialog will open.
4. Enter the current password to confirm you are authorized to remove it.
   • If you've forgotten your master password, see Reset your Primary Password if you've forgotten it.
5. Click Remove.
6. Click OK in the dialog that appears to confirm its removal.
7. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Changing the master password

You can also change your master password at any time:

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and select Settings (select Preferences on older macOS versions).Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Click the Security panel.
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 Reset your Primary Password if you've forgotten it.
5. Enter the new master password twice.
   • Leaving the two fields empty removes your master password.
6. To accept the changed master password, click OK.
7. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Based on information from Master password (mozillaZine KB)