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Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords

Waterfox can save usernames and passwords that you use to access online services, such as banking and email websites. If you share a computer with anyone, it is recommended that you use a Primary Password.

Multiple devices/profiles: Primary Passwords are set locally and are not synced between profiles or devices. If you use more than one device or profile, those use separate Primary Passwords.

Create a Primary Password

By default, Waterfox does not use Primary Passwords (formerly known as Master password) to protect stored credentials. To define a Primary Password:

  1. Click the menu button to open the menu panel.
  2. Click Logins and Passwords.
  3. Click the Waterfox logins menu , then click Preferences. Waterfox logins menu
    • The Waterfox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section. UseAPrimaryPassword
  4. Put a checkmark next to Use a Primary Password to open the Change Primary Password dialog.
  5. Enter your Primary Password. The Password quality meter will indicate the difficulty of guessing your defined password. To create a quality password, your Primary Password should include the following:
    • At least one uppercase letter to add complexity.
    • Digits embedded within the password, avoiding simple placements at the start or end.
    • At least one non-alphanumeric character, such as: @ # $ % ^ & \* ( ).
    • A configuration that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess, ensuring that you, and only you, can access this secure information.
  6. Enter the password a second time to confirm that you have entered it consistently. ChangePrimaryPassword
  7. To set the Primary Password, click OK.
  8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you’ve made will automatically be saved.

Remove the Primary Password

Should you decide you don’t need your Primary Password anymore, you can delete it at any time:

Important: Without a Primary Password, someone with access to your computer can view the passwords you have saved in Waterfox.

  1. Click the menu button menu button to open the menu panel.
  2. Click Logins and Passwords.
  3. Click the Waterfox logins menu three dot icon, then click Preferences.
    • The Waterfox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section.
  4. Remove the checkmark next to Use a Primary Password.
  5. Enter the current password to confirm your ownership of the account.
    • If you’ve forgotten your Primary Password, see Reset your Primary Password if you’ve forgotten it.
  6. Click Remove.
  7. Click OK in the dialog that appears to confirm its removal.
  8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you’ve made will automatically be saved.

Change the Primary Password

You can also change your Primary Password at any time:

  1. Click the menu button menu button to open the menu panel.
  2. Click Logins and Passwords.
  3. Click the Waterfox logins menu three dot icon, then click Preferences. ChangePrimaryPassword
    • The Waterfox Settings Privacy & Security panel will open to the Logins and Passwords section.
  4. Click Change Primary Password….
  5. Enter the current password to confirm your ownership of the account.
    • If you’ve forgotten your Primary Password, see Reset your Primary Password if you’ve forgotten it.
  6. Enter the new Primary Password twice.
    • Leaving the two fields empty removes your Primary Password.
  7. To accept the changed Primary Password, click OK.
  8. Close the Settings page. Any changes you’ve made will automatically be saved.

Based on information from Master password (mozillaZine KB)