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The user names and passwords are gone from signons.sqlite file

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 15 views
  • Last reply by Lammmas

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Hello,

I have this issue: I had to reinstall my Windows XP, but before that I set up Sync. However, once the new Windows was installed, I accidentally created a new Sync key, which meant that I lost all my info in Sync. No problem, I thought, I'll just restore. After restoring the deleted file I was able to use Firefox Password Viewer to view the sqlite file, however all that is written there are the site addresses and form field names, but the password and user name fields were empty. When I viewed the sqlite file for the newly installed Firefox, then I was able to see the user name and password for the sync, so it should not be the program's issue. What could have caused the password and username ONLY to be lost from the file? Is that a Firefox or Sync security thing? Any advice or info is much appreciated.

EDIT: In hex editor I can see the SQL data (like CREATE INDEX, etc) with filled password, user name and site URL info. However, the data seems to be encrypted.

Hello, I have this issue: I had to reinstall my Windows XP, but before that I set up Sync. However, once the new Windows was installed, I accidentally created a new Sync key, which meant that I lost all my info in Sync. No problem, I thought, I'll just restore. After restoring the deleted file I was able to use Firefox Password Viewer to view the sqlite file, however all that is written there are the site addresses and form field names, but the password and user name fields were empty. When I viewed the sqlite file for the newly installed Firefox, then I was able to see the user name and password for the sync, so it should not be the program's issue. What could have caused the password and username ONLY to be lost from the file? Is that a Firefox or Sync security thing? Any advice or info is much appreciated. EDIT: In hex editor I can see the SQL data (like CREATE INDEX, etc) with filled password, user name and site URL info. However, the data seems to be encrypted.

Modified by Lammmas

All Replies (2)

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hello, the passwords aren't stored in permissions.sqlite, but in signons.sqlite encrypted by key3.db - also refer to Recovering important data from an old profile.

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Hello,

Thank you for your reply. However I think I accidentally wrote down the wrong filename (permissions), since I did check both the signons and key3 files, just in case, and signons is where I can see the list of the info. I've also checked that kb article as the first things, and that's where I got the names for the files to look for, however just copying the files over does not bring back any passwords. Again, thank you for the reply!