Adding Built-in Password Protected Feature for Firefox Browser

[sutton230520]

As a dedicated user and enthusiast of the Firefox browser, I would like to propose an enhancement that I believe would greatly benefit the Firefox user community.

Suggestion

I suggest adding a built-in password protected feature to the Firefox browser that allows users to lock their screens. This feature would require users to authenticate themselves with a password, authenticator app or TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password), or a security key in order to unlock the browser screen and access their browsing session. By implementing such a feature, Firefox can provide an additional layer of security, particularly for users who share their computers or have concerns about unauthorized access to their browsing history and sensitive information.

While I acknowledge the existence of third-party extensions, such as the Browser Lock extension for other browsers, integrating this functionality directly into the Firefox browser would offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. It would eliminate the need for users to search for and install separate extensions, ensuring a consistent and secure browsing environment for all Firefox users.

Additional Capabilities

To further enhance the usability and security of this built-in password protected feature, I recommend considering the following capabilities:

1. Multiple Authentication Options: Allow users to choose their preferred method of authentication, including passwords, authenticator apps or TOTP, or security keys. This flexibility will accommodate users' varying security preferences and needs.

2. Customization Options: Provide users with the ability to customize the lock screen, such as selecting a background image or adding a personalized message. This would enable users to further personalize their browsing experience while maintaining security.

3. Password Recovery Mechanism: Implement a secure and reliable password recovery mechanism, such as security questions or email verification, to assist users in case they forget their password. This would ensure that users can regain access to their browsing sessions without compromising security.

4. Lockout Policy: Consider implementing a lockout policy that temporarily locks the login option for a specified duration after a certain number of unsuccessful login attempts. This safeguard would protect against brute-force attacks and enhance the overall security of the feature.

Conclusion

By incorporating these features into the Firefox browser, Mozilla can demonstrate its ongoing commitment to user privacy, security, and overall user experience. I firmly believe that this enhancement would position Firefox as a leader in browser security and appeal to users who prioritize robust protection for their online activities.

[goodman]

browser locking

Hi all. the huge security problem of all browsers is we can not set any password for locking of that maybe we have to leave a laptop or PC for minutes at work .hear is time the other persons can see saved password in the browser setting please think about this issue 1-we can lock the browsers fully and easily. 2-We can set the password to the browser setting passwords portion everybody can have access to there without our permission. 3-When we have saved the password for the login box of any site there is an eye icon symbol next to the saved password everybody can easily click on it and it shows the saved password please have a solution for the eye symbol of the login box. thank you so much

[Daytona123]

That the idea of protecting Firefox access with a password is so clear and obvious, you can see in comparison with a handy.

Each phone has a screen lock / password protection. Unthinkable a phone not offering this feature.

Image a screen lock on a handy that only protects third party people from phoning and having access to passwords, but allows them to have a look in the contacts who you have called and phoned with in the last six months. Everybody would say that this is simply stupid offering such a password protection.

But exactly this is the situation with Firefox!

For example: I give my PC to my dealer for repair. He ans his crew can open my Firefox, see my bookmarks ( or chronic) and have an exact idea of my interests, where I have been in the internet, where I was looking for. This can be very exposing and embarrassing !

So, what is your advice now for me at the moment with my bookmarks ( and chronic ) to do in this situation?

The idea with the Firefox screenlock would help instantly as an extension of the password protection.

It is really hard to believe that this feature does not exist yet or is not on the priority list!

[Daytona123]

That the idea of protecting Firefox access with a password is so clear and obvious, you can see in comparison with a handy.

Each phone has a screen lock / password protection. Unthinkable a phone not offering this feature.

Image a screen lock on a handy that only protects third party people from phoning and having access to passwords, but allows them to have a look in the contacts who you have called and phoned with in the last six months. Everybody would say that this is simply stupid offering such a password protection.

But exactly this is the situation with Firefox!

For example: I give my PC to my dealer for repair. He ans his crew can open my Firefox, see my bookmarks ( or chronic) and have an exact idea of my interests, where I have been in the internet, where I was looking for. This can be very exposing and embarrassing !

So, what is your advice now for me at the moment with my bookmarks ( and chronic ) to do in this situation?

The idea with the Firefox screenlock would help instantly as an extension of the password protection.

It is really hard to believe that this feature does not exist yet or is not on the priority list!

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[noname]

"we" already have function in firefox called "Use a Master Password to protect stored logins and passwords".
But when we use it even if "someone" who started "your" firefox - can have access to "your":

download history
browsing history
and much important - bookmarks

why just not block access to all personal data - put it under password.
i FULLY agree with all what he writed in first post, but may be developers think that - those functions is hard to implement.

But this three:
---
download history
browsing history
and much important - bookmarks
---
it is simply logicalu must be under password lock - if user WANT a to put password to his\her PERSONAL DATA.

p.s.
and for android version - "we" also want same things. Ability to put password in firefox for android - on all personal data in application.

[tinto101]

for Firefox developers .....

I share the idea of putting a password to allow the browser opening, it would be very useful !!!

Google's Chrome browser has an extension that allows this (very comfortable!) But why does Firefox have nothing to protect openness?

help ......

but .... not this:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-us/kb/use-primary-password-protect-stored-logins

But just one not to allow to open the Firefox browser!

[kanjbi]

Screen Lock

Hello All,

It would be good to have a screen lock to Firefox browser so that some other don't open it unnecessarily. In our house, we have multiple persons operating one computer. This feature will be quite helpful.

Thanks Team,

Kannan

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[kanjbi]

Hello Jon,

May I know where you have moved this topic to.

Thanks,

kanjbi

[ircmer]

Buenas tardes, veo muy bien esta idea, aunque cookies, paginas visitadas y demás cosas, puedes ponerle que al cerrar el navegador se borren, pero los marcadores al tener sesión iniciada, ya se quedan allí, con lo cual creo que la contraseña seria para ellos, así tendrías que estar poniéndolos y quitandolos continuamente, gracias.

Good afternoon, I think this is a very good idea. Although you can set cookies, visited pages and other things to be deleted when you close the browser, bookmarks will remain there when you are logged in, so I think the password would be for them, so you would have to be adding and removing them continuously. Thank you.

[Villager]

Add password to strart browser's working

It would be great to type password when I open the browser. It will protect my data

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[Tab]

Require a master password to open and use the browser

Introduction.
Firefox already has a master password feature. However, it only protects access to the user's saved passwords. The browser stores logins to email accounts (work data, personal data), open tabs, bookmarks, extensions, access to social networks, etc. The presence of the master password feature already shows that the developers assumed the possibility of the browser being used by third-party users. In my opinion, not all situations were anticipated when implementing this feature.

Examples:

Precondition: Other users have access to your PC.

Example: office.
Your colleague has access to your PC or knows your PC password (perhaps you work on the same PC). They can open the browser, change the browser or website settings, access your Firefox account, open your email, see your tabs, bookmarks, search history, etc. The only thing they cannot see are the passwords and logins in the passwords tab.

Example: home.
Your child wants to play or watch something on your PC. They can log in and will have the same access as in the previous case.

Proposal.

Create the feature to enter a master password to open the browser.

Password setup conditions:
- This password can only be set if you have a verified Firefox account with email or phone number.
- You can set your own password in accordance with all security rules for creating passwords.
- This password can only be reset to the email address or by phone number specified in your Firefox account.
...

Conditions for opening the browser:
- A valid password has been entered in the browser login modal window and the “Enter” button has been pressed.
- The browser will not start completely until a successful login with a valid password is performed.
- The “Enter as Guest” button has been pressed.
...

The guest session opens the initial state of the Firefox program with limited functionality. (prohibition of installing extensions, creating a new user, changing the theme, adding bookmarks, saving passwords or history, cookies, and access to settings). Only web page viewing is available.
!You can create a new account if you log in as the primary registered Firefox account on this PC.

Conditions for ending a session:
- Closing the browser ends the browser session.
- If the “keep session (all tabs) after closing the browser” function is enabled, they are saved.
- Restoring a previous session also requires a password.
...

Password recovery:
- You can recover your master password using the email address specified in your account.
- You can recover your master password using the phone number specified in your account.
- You must enter your email address or phone number manually.
...

There is much more that could be said here, but you get the idea.

#password, #security, #privacy

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[Daytona123]

Well, it is so senseful to have a browser access password that not anyone can see my search history, what can be extremely revealing and uncomfortable is when someone finds out exactly what you are interested in, what you have searched for, which can be very embarrassing and unpleasant.
But instead, all sorts of things are developed, rather than something that is so logical, simple, and sensible. A pity, a real pity.