When I log out of my account on firefox why do the browsing data and my saved usernames and passwords stay?
When I log out of my account on firefox why do the browsing data and my saved usernames and passwords stay?
When logged out all the information which is synced with firefox and your account should be removed, however in this case when I log out it stays including all usernames and passwords. This is a security hazard. Please assist. If there are any questions please let me know.
MR
All Replies (13)
Hi MR, Firefox is not a cloud browser. Your information is always stored locally on the hard drive and the Sync service is meant only to share that data between different installations of Firefox.
If you do not want browsing history and logins to be stored locally:
(A) You can set Firefox either not to record any history, or to clear history when you close it.
See:
(B) Use a cloud-based password manager instead of the disk-based password manager.
You either can log into the service's website and copy/paste logins, or you can use an add-on which you need to connect to the service.
If you decide you do want to keep logins on your hard drive, and you want to make the file physically secure, apply a Master Password. See: Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords.
One way to secure ALL of your local data against an attacker with physical access to the disk is to encrypt your hard drive. There are many ways to do that, but those solutions are beyond the scope of this forum.
Hello, thank you for your quick reply on my question. I understand logins are stored locally but then what is the point of the account?
I can still store logins locally without the account.
Mrashid said
Hello, thank you for your quick reply on my question. I understand logins are stored locally but then what is the point of the account? I can still store logins locally without the account.
A Firefox Account is useful for Sync and other Mozilla services. See: Access Mozilla Services with a Firefox Account.
Hello, Yes it is used to sync but when I log out the information stays. If this is intended then maybe I shouldn't be using the Firefox account and to be secure use another service. In order for it to sync it is using some type of cloud service. The only point I see is that it is used to transfer info from one device to another but maybe that's a feature that needs to be added.
Screen shot of your Privacy&Security settings would help here to see what is set.
WestEnd said
Screen shot of your Privacy&Security settings would help here to see what is set.
I have added the screenshot. I am not sure how that will help. Please let me know if there is anything else that you might need to see.
Mrashid said
Hello, Yes it is used to sync but when I log out the information stays. If this is intended then maybe I shouldn't be using the Firefox account and to be secure use another service.
In order for it to sync it is using some type of cloud service. The only point I see is that it is used to transfer info from one device to another but maybe that's a feature that needs to be added.
Yes, it is to transfer locally stored data from Firefox installation #1 to Firefox installation #2 and back again. If you want to avoid locally stored data, you could try one of the many cloud-based password products. This one has been getting a lot of buzz recently but I haven't tried it myself:
jscher2000 said
Mrashid saidHello, Yes it is used to sync but when I log out the information stays. If this is intended then maybe I shouldn't be using the Firefox account and to be secure use another service.
In order for it to sync it is using some type of cloud service. The only point I see is that it is used to transfer info from one device to another but maybe that's a feature that needs to be added.Yes, it is to transfer locally stored data from Firefox installation #1 to Firefox installation #2 and back again. If you want to avoid locally stored data, you could try one of the many cloud-based password products. This one has been getting a lot of buzz recently but I haven't tried it myself:
Actually, it also transfers from one device to another. That is why I am asking this question to begin with.
Mrashid said
Actually, it also transfers from one device to another. That is why I am asking this question to begin with.
Yes, the installations of Firefox you connect to your Sync account can be on the same device or on many different devices.
Bottom line is it is still not secure. And there is no point for me to use this service.
Mrashid said
Bottom line is it is still not secure.
If you consider your locally stored data to be insecure, then you should consider whole disk encryption.