Protect Firefox with a password - how it works
If you want to protect your history, cookies and other data in Firefox from prying eyes, you should secure the browser with a password. We'll show you where to find the necessary settings.
Protect Firefox browser with master password
With Mozilla Firefox you can set a master password in the settings. This protects private data such as your saved passwords. You only have to enter the password if you want to access this special data. You can still browse without a password.
- Start Firefox and click on the menu icon with the three horizontal bars at the top right.
- Then select the "Settings" with the gear icon.
- In the "Security" section, tick "Use master password".
- A new window is opening up. Enter your desired password there twice and confirm with "OK".
Firefox: Set password at startup
If you want to secure the entire browser with a password, you need a special addon. After installation, Firefox asks for your password each time it starts - you cannot surf the net without the correct input.
- Download the free extension "StartupMaster" using the "Add to Firefox" button.
- A window opens automatically in which you have to set your master password. This is the same password as in the first paragraph.
- If you confirm your entries with "OK", the addon is active. If you restart Firefox, you must first enter your specified password.
If you don't want to leave sensitive data on your computer at all, you should surf in private mode and delete your saved passwords. This article is based on Firefox 52.6.0.