Passwords on usb stick
I would like to make my firefox passwords a little more secure. The master password alone is not enough. I have looked at various managers and I would virtually need an IT doctorate for most of them. All I want is to have my logins/key files on a USB stick for occasional use, instead of in the profile folder. I do not need the whole firefox profile on USB. You would think that would be easy, perhaps with a path in about:config, but apparently not.
Modified by becktrev
Chosen solution
I don't know if Windows 10 allows symbolic links to files in another directory and whether Firefox can detect and use this, so you will have to check this.
- https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-symbolic-links-windows10/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/fileio/symbolic-links
All Replies (6)
Give this a look see: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition
A fully functional package of Firefox optimized for use on a USB key drive. A specialized launcher will allow most favorite extensions to work as you switch computers.
Firefox Portable is a 3rd-party build. Support is available here: http://portableapps.com/forums/support/firefox_portable
You can use sync to share data between profiles. But some data cannot be shared between different versions.
Quote: I do not need the whole firefox profile on USB.
Just the passwords. I could keep copying the files from a usb stick into the computer profile every time needed, then delete them. But that is hardly practical. The program looks for the two files in the default folder. Surely it is possible to tell it to look elsewhere.
Plug in a thumb drive. Open your file explorer to your current profile. Copy the profile As Is to a folder on the thumb.
Now open the Profile Manager and have it look on the thumb.
You could also store just the password files on the thumb.
logins.json and key3.db [v58+]key4.db : These are the password files. Copy Both !
Using a Windows batch program, you can 1) copy the password files (both) to your profile 2) start Firefox 3) when Firefox closes, copy the files back to the . thumb (in case there were changes) 4) delete the password files in the profile
Chosen Solution
I don't know if Windows 10 allows symbolic links to files in another directory and whether Firefox can detect and use this, so you will have to check this.
Modified by cor-el
Thank you cor-el. Exactly what was needed. I'd tried using two normal links, which of course didn't work. The mklink command was totally new to me - and that after having had these machines since pre-Windows time.
It was necessary to use the command from a DOS box, not from the 'Run' Menu - and with Admin priv. Slightly slows down the master password call, but only seconds.
Works perfectly. The password files can now stay in the safe - where they belong. Greetings from Germany.