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Rohkem teavet
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Assistance Required: Password Protection for Thunderbird Client

Thunderbird Security
david replied
ps cheema
ps cheema

Hi Team,

Greetings!

I need your assistance regarding password protection for the Thunderbird email client.

I have configured an IMAP account in Thunderbird and enabled the **Primary Password** feature. However, if I cancel or skip the password prompt during startup, Thunderbird still opens successfully, and all previously synchronized email messages in the Inbox remain accessible. The user is also able to view the mailbox and access email content.

My requirement is that "Thunderbird should not open, display any email messages or allow Send/Receive operations unless the correct password is entered".

Could you please advise if this functionality is supported natively or suggest the recommended approach to achieve this?

Looking forward to your guidance.

Regards, Ps Cheema

Hi Team, Greetings! I need your assistance regarding password protection for the Thunderbird email client. I have configured an IMAP account in Thunderbird and enabled the **Primary Password** feature. However, if I cancel or skip the password prompt during startup, Thunderbird still opens successfully, and all previously synchronized email messages in the Inbox remain accessible. The user is also able to view the mailbox and access email content. My requirement is that "Thunderbird should not open, display any email messages or allow Send/Receive operations unless the correct password is entered". Could you please advise if this functionality is supported natively or suggest the recommended approach to achieve this? Looking forward to your guidance. Regards, Ps Cheema

All Replies (6)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

That feature is only to protect account passwords. I share your opinion, that it should do more, and the bug report about that has been discussed for years. We're just volunteers here, so we don't vote. The somewhat official stance is to use a password for your OS to prevent access to your Thunderbird. That's the best I can offer. However, there may be third-party software to lock the message folder, allowing you to unlock and lock before and after use. Windows has a free encrypt feature for folders, but I have not used it.

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

I was curious myself and found this page of possible interest: https://thegeekpage.com/best-free-folder-lock-softwares-for-windows/

ps cheema
ps cheema Küsimuse esitaja

Dear David,

Greetings!!!

Thanks for your response and yes I am also well aware about these folder locker 3rd party softwares. But this solution is not appropriate. I already tried it.

Regards Ps Cheema

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

In that case, your only option is to either lock the PC when away from it, or create separate user account within the OS. The developers have their mind set to ignore this issue. You can read the debate that has gone on for six years here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1566458

ps cheema
ps cheema Küsimuse esitaja

Dear David,

Greetings!!!

Thanks for your support , this windows system already have seperate account & login password also enabled. Well anyways, I think, I need to develop this login authenticator app myself , which will prompt for password before I try to open thunderbird client.

Have a good day!!!

Regards Ps Cheema

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

Just remember that the messages may still be viewed if the person accesses the message folders directly. The messages are in mbox format, which is common.

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