This section describes how to use the Passwords Settings panel. If you are not already viewing the panel, follow these steps:
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Password Manager stores your user names and passwords on your computer's hard disk and enters them for you automatically when you visit the sites that require them. For detailed information about using Password Manager, including how to override it for individual sites and how to view and manage stored passwords, see Using the Password Manager
To activate Password Manager so that it automatically stores your user names and passwords and enters them for you as necessary, select the checkbox in the Passwords panel labeled "Remember passwords for sites that require me to log in."
To turn off Password Manager, deselect the same checkbox.
If you use Password Manager or Form Manager to save passwords and personal data, then this sensitive information is stored on your computer in a file that's difficult, but not impossible, for an intruder to read. This way of storing information is sometimes describes as "obscuring."
For improved protection, you may want to protect the file with encryption. Encryption makes it nearly impossible for an unauthorized person to view your stored sensitive information.
To turn on encryption for sensitive information stored on your computer, select the checkbox in the Passwords panel labeled "Use encryption when storing sensitive data." If you have not previously set a master password, you will be asked to create one. To do so, follow the instructions as they appear on your screen. For an overview of the steps involved, see Encrypting Stored Sensitive Information.
To turn off encryption for sensitive information, so that it is obscured but not encrypted, deselect the checkbox.
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You can use the Passwords preferences panel to set how often the browser requires your Master Password. Here are some things you should consider when selecting these options:
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A master password protects a security device, which is a software or hardware device that stores sensitive information associated with your identity, such as keys or certificates. For example, the browser has a built-in Software Security Device, and you can also use external security devices, such as smart cards, if your computer is configured to use them.
The master password for the browser's buildt-in Software Security Device also protects your master key. Your master key is used to encrypt sensitive information such as email passwords, web site passwords, and other data stored by the Password Manager and Forms Manager. If someone uses your computer who knows or can guess the master password for the software security device, that person may be able to access web sites while pretending to be you. This can be dangerousfor example, if you manage your financial accounts over the Internet. Therefore, it's important to select a master password that is difficult to guess.
[Discussion of new password quality meter]
It's also important to record your master password in a safe placeand not anywhere that's easily accessible to someone else. If you forget this password, you may not be able to access important information, such as web sites that require passwords or certificates stored on your computer.
Note that each security device requires a separate master password. For example, if you are using one or more smart cards to store some of your certificates, you must set a separate master password for each one.
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5/10/2001
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