Ability To Set Profiles Behind Authentication Methods

[2mustange]

With Nightly's new profile manager,

I would like the ability to lock down loading a profile behind some forms of authentication (Password-based or 2FA; though i can see the need for more options)

The idea is family using the family computer could each have their own profile and can lock it down for their own privacy. Or if you have kids that use a multi-use computer that may have a work profile it would lock down the work profile.

[Jon]

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[Lancenet]

If multiple people are using the same computer then each one should be using a different user account, that's how you segregate user data. Windows, macOS and Linux support multiple users. Browser profiles were never meant for different users. You want Firefox to fix a problem it is not meant to since this is done on a different layer.

I recommend you create a separate user account with a password.

Btw, keep in mind that profile data is all kept in plain text in your file system so if you want to keep something secret you should know that someone could still figure out what you are doing if they have access to your unencrypted computer and they know what they are doing. Having a password for your user account or Firefox profile would not fix that.

[2mustange]

Thanks @Lancenet,

Yeah I understand that is an option but I do think there is a requirement to set profiles behind authentication.

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Browser profiles were never meant for different users

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I disagree with that. When the majority of computer usage is around a browser and the average computer user has less technical skills setting up a different user accounts likely would be unnecessary. 

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keep in mind that profile data is all kept in plain text in your file system so if you want to keep something secret you should know that someone could still figure out what you are doing if they have access to your unencrypted computer and they know what they are doing. Having a password for your user account or Firefox profile would not fix that.

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Security Through Obscurity. I still think my suggestion is relevant despite your points. This is a new profile system so they could incorporate encryption to the data into the mix. I like how you throw out security all together if someone has access to the system, which is the exact opposite approach. I think it warrants to make suggestions to provide improvements