This article is about protecting your browser passwords. It covers; Password protecting the browser, 2 factor authentication, and password managers.
Password Protect Your Browsers
Password Protect Firefox
Mozillazine – Master Passwords
This step prevents users from seeing the passwords you have let Firefox store. This works for both the password manager and the pages that apply to that password.
To set the Master Password in Windows: go to Tools > Options > Security > check the Use a master password box > set password > click OK.
To set the Master Password in Linux: go to Edit > Preferences > Security > check the Use a master password box > set password > click OK.
To set the Master Password in Firefox Mobile: Go to Menu > Settings > check the Use master password box.
Password Protect Internet Explorer
IE 10 and 11 does not have password protection. Some folks use a sort of workaround by enabling Family Safety (requires secondary account).
See: Set up Family Safety, Windows 7 and Set up Family Safety, Windows 8
Password Protect Google Chrome
Not possible without extensions.
See:
Simple Startup Password
ChromePW
Password Managers
LastPass – Free on one computer. Premium allows unlimited devices. $12 per year. Windows/Mac/iOS/Linux/Android/etc.
1Password – Windows/Mac/iOS/Android. Prices vary.
RoboForm – Free but limited. Premium for Win/Mac/iOS/Android $9.95 first year..
KeePass – Free, Open source. Windows officially supported along with Linux and Mac. Unofficially ported to other OS.
Password Safe – Free, Windows only.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
2 Factor Authentication
Recently many popular services started rolling out 2 factor authentication. You can read the full definition over at Wikipedia but for most of us this means you will use a password to sign on + some other thing. The some other thing can be anything from a phone number, to a temporary code, to a USB key, or even retina scan. Two factor authentication is another layer of security not final solution. It can also be a bit of a pain if you over-do it.
Alternate names: 2FA, TFA, multi-factor authentication.
See also:A half-assed additional factor does not equal two-factor security
Example:
1 – You start log in to Twitter by entering username/password and pressing the enter button. A box for a verification code comes up.
2 – Twitter text messages you a verification code.
3 – You enter code. Done.
Google Authenticator
This app (Android, BlackBerry, iOS) allows you to use 2 factor authentication at many sites.
Download:
Android
BlackBerry
iOS
Popular apps/services with two factor authentication:
The links below contain steps-by-step guides to set up 2 factor authentication:
Microsoft (including WINDOWS 8, Outlook.com)
Paypal (and eBay)
Twitter with how-to video.
WordPress via plugins: Google Authenticator, others
WordPress.com
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
How I Do It
I do not store browser passwords on my laptop or phone. I use 2 factor authentication to access my password manager on all my mobile devices.
Interesting Links
InformationWeek – 10 Top Password Managers
Change security and privacy settings in Internet Explorer
See also
Symantec Validation & ID Protection (VIP)
YubiKey
-END-