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possible to download-run firefox from an external hd in an effort to secure passwords etc?

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by FredMcD

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because threat of hacking is increasing and security/profile information is very vulnerable can i download and run firefox from an external hd, or store profile on external hd which can be disconnected from the computer once i have initiated firefox, in such a way that the profile is only available when actually connected by usb to the computer, yet firefox continues to run properly

does that question make sense to you ?

thnx, john dahl


edit: removed phone# from public.

because threat of hacking is increasing and security/profile information is very vulnerable can i download and run firefox from an external hd, or store profile on external hd which can be disconnected from the computer once i have initiated firefox, in such a way that the profile is only available when actually connected by usb to the computer, yet firefox continues to run properly does that question make sense to you ? thnx, john dahl ---- edit: removed phone# from public.

Modified by James

All Replies (8)

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Hello johndouglasdahl

I believe I understand your question. There is actually a portable version of Firefox available just for this requirement, to be booted from an external source. In fact because of the size of Firefox, you can even use it on a USB stick if you would rather.

You can download it here: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable.

Kind regards

Edward Haigh

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Firefox Password Manager has the option of using a Master Password. Once set, you must enter the Master Password before the manager will fill out anything.

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The Portable Firefox option as mentioned has been a trusted source for years now even though it is not Mozilla. It is useful as the Profile is contained with Firefox instead of being separate.

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thnx for your recommendation Edward i was not aware of Portable Firefox/Mozilla

if i understand you correctly its eems the Portable would be downloaded entirely to a thumb/external drive and run from that location - that everything Portable needs - all the concomitant files would be on the external including the firefox profile files

at the moment i am using the Mozilla Master Password. perhaps there is a way to store the master password and the password file(s) on a removable thumb which i would remove once i'm connected to the internet

i kinda sound paranoid thnx,j

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thnx FredMc and James C i've started using the Mozilla Master Password option

it uses a max of17 characters for its password, so i wonder abt its security abilities

my concept is to have all passwords exclusively on a portable thumb drive which i insert for the moment the password is needed, then remove it from any connection to the pc

maybe my concept is naive; i'm sure more cleaver persons would hijack a pc by not so much as scanning for a particular (bookmarks or favorites) file then sending the file to home base, but would sit quietly waiting until it sensed that the operator has been asked to enter a password, then send the password to homebase.

i

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thnx FredMc and James C i've started using the Mozilla Master Password option

it uses a max of17 characters for its password, so i wonder abt its security abilities

my concept is to have all passwords exclusively on a portable thumb drive which i insert for the moment the password is needed, then remove it from any connection to the pc

maybe my concept is naive; i'm sure more cleaver persons would hijack a pc by not so much as scanning for a particular (bookmarks or favorites) file then sending the file to home base, but would sit quietly waiting until it sensed that the operator has been asked to enter a password, then send the password to homebase.

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i want to than each of you contributors for suggestions and help

i'm having too many issues with firefox portable and i don't want to deal with them; i don't think there is an easy, viable solution; or i have mixed two incompatible products

i've purchased LastPass

now i want to delete portable and reinstall firefox24, BUT i don't want to loose any bookmarks from firefox33 or from LastPass. i think i cannot have my cake and eat it too UNLESS you have a suggestion how to isolate bookmarks from being uninstalled (i plan to manually, paper-pencil, copy names of sites and their respective passwords, just in case ! nothing is easy re computers and security and conflicting sofware programs, and in life generally.) thnx, john p.s., i'm using this/these sets of threads because i can't successfully start a new question/subject - software keeps me going in circles and not to the place where i can actually type a question, like here

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Warning ! ! ! Firefox 32 and later builds store the passwords in the logins.json file in the profile folder and no longer use the signons.sqlite file.


These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences