Is Firefox Password Manager Reliable?

Mozilla Firefox comes with a built-in password manager that securely saves and fills account details for websites and online applications. It operates similarly to external password managers, although many users question its level of security compared to premium solutions.

In essence, when configured properly, the Firefox Password Manager can provide the same level of security as any other password manager. Nevertheless, similar to other password managers, there are potential risks and limitations to assess before entrusting it with your information.

In this piece, I assess the reliability and security of Firefox Password Manager and juxtapose it with third-party password managers to assist you in selecting a suitable choice.

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Understanding Firefox Password Manager and Its Functionality

Firefox Password Manager stands as a feature integrated within web browser Mozilla Firefox. Whenever you’ve signed in to a site using Firefox, a prompt appears asking whether you want to store your login details.

Next time you visit that website, Firefox automatically enters the login information. Just like other password managers,this feature enables you to generate secure and distinct passwords for each website without the need to remember them all.

VIEW: Top 5 Password Management Tools for Android in 2024 (from TechRepublic)

The encrypted .json file in the Firefox Desktop app stores your passwords, which can be effortlessly transferred to a different computer if necessary. By creating a Mozilla account, you can also activate the Sync function, syncing login details across all devices where you are logged in. Moreover, Firefox credentials can be exported to a .csv file and subsequently imported into Chrome or another password manager.

Is Firefox Password Manager Secure?

The security of Firefox Password Manager is basically on par with that of any other password management tool, implying that security levels can vary depending on the setup preferences and user actions.

Typically, most password managers necessitate the creation of a “master password” that users must input periodically before being able to save or automatically populate additional credentials. The frequency at which re-entry of the master password is required varies, with certain tools allowing customization of the timeout duration. The more frequent the identity verification requirement, the higher the security level of the password manager. Also, a more intricate master password will pose a greater challenge for hackers attempting to guess or crack it.

VIEW: Are Password Managers Safe to Use? (from TechRepublic)

By default, no master password is necessary for Firefox Password Manager. Although credentials are encrypted on the local machine, the browser will still auto-fill passwords even if the device gets stolen. Nonetheless, Firefox has introduced the “Primary Password” feature, analogous to a master password. Activation of this feature mandates users to enter their primary password each time they close and reopen the browser.

The security of the Firefox Primary Password feature aligns with that of any other master password system. If an individual manages to crack your primary password — or if it’s written down somewhere, or otherwise shared with someone else — they gain unrestricted access to your credentials on any device linked to your Firefox account.

None of your credentials are stored in the cloud by Firefox, and the Mozilla organization never has access to them. However, the Firefox desktop client decrypts the logins.json file locally for password auto-fill purposes. The local storage and decryption decrease the likelihood of your passwords being compromised in the event of a breach by Mozilla (or one of its third-party associates). Nevertheless, if your Firefox desktop client or local system is breached, there is a theoretical possibility of a hacker gaining access to your credentials.

How Reliable is Mozilla Firefox?

The browser itself is the most evident weak link for a browser-based password manager. Not only could cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in the browser application, but they could also focus on one of the several third-party browser extensions that users commonly install for added features.

Compared to the other widely-used browsers — Chrome, Edge, and Safari — Firefox boasts a high level of security. It incorporates advanced security measures such as phishing and malware protection, breach monitoring, and exclusive HTTPS mode.

VIEW: Brave vs Firefox: Comparative Analysis of Browsers (from TechRepublic)

Mozilla, being a non-profit entity, generally places a stronger emphasis on safeguarding user privacy than its browser counterparts. Firefox solely collects personal data for technical support and enhancements, a feature that can be conveniently disabled in the Privacy & Security settings.

Additional privacy-enhancing features include enhanced tracking protection, DNS over HTTPS, and alerts about fingerprinting attempts by websites to collect tracking data.

I prefer using Firefox as my primary browser due to the trust I have in its ability to safeguard my personal data. It also allows me to retain my ad blocker while watching YouTube videos and visiting platforms that typically do not support ad blocking.

As long as you maintain your browserupdated to guarantee vulnerabilities are fixed, and you restrict your third-party extension usage to a few trusted providers, then Mozilla Firefox is as dependable and safeguarded as you can obtain in a free, well-maintained browser client.

Alternatives for Firefox Password Manager

Firefox Password Manager lacks certain bonus security features that are frequently provided in third-party solutions, so it’s crucial to evaluate all your choices before finalizing a decision. I analyzed three other password managers to assess their efficacy.

Bitwarden: Prime all-around password manager substitute for Firefox Password Manager

Bitwarden provides an extensive free password manager solution for users in need of additional security functionalities without the typical cost. It provides applications for nearly every OS and browser, including Tor and DuckDuckGo for extremely privacy-focused individuals or those, like myself, who engage in research on the dark web. Similar to Firefox, it also synchronizes across an unlimited number of devices.

SEE: 5 Best Free Password Managers for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Other noteworthy features include notifications if any of your passwords are discovered in a breach, health evaluations providing suggestions for enhancing the security of existing account credentials, and two-factor authentication with biometric logins. On the whole, Bitwarden presents one of the most reliable and trustworthy free password management solutions available.

NordPass: Most secure substitute for Firefox Password Manager

NordPass is a password manager solution from Nord Security, creators of the well-known NordVPN service. NordPass offers a no-charge version which includes 2FA and biometric logins, or you can opt for a premium scheme to access password breach monitoring and health assessments.

NordPass employs XChaCh20 encryption to safeguard your credentials, the most formidable encryption algorithm accessible in a consumer password manager. Furthermore, all Nord products are supported by some of the strictest privacy guidelines in the field, reviewed independently four times. These measures establish NordPass as one of the most secure password managers on the market.

SEE: Is a VPN Really Worth It in 2024? (TechRepublic)

Keeper: Optimal substitute for Firefox Password Manager for enterprises

Keeper provides a comprehensive array of security solutions for businesses, but its password manager is also accessible for individuals and as a complimentary app. Keeper employs zero-trust and zero-knowledge encryption to maintain credentials secure. Enhanced plans offer functionalities like boundless password sharing, secure cloud backups, and centralized observation and authority over corporate password vaults.

Keeper also extends password manager solutions personalized to match the necessities of specific sectors such as the public sector, managed service providers, and large enterprises. For instance, the Keeper Security Government Cloud password manager is certified by FedRAMP and StateRAMP, whereas KeeperMSP provides advanced reporting tools that can be sorted by client.

SEE: 4 Different Types of VPNs & When to Use Them (TechRepublic)

Is it advisable to use Firefox Password Manager?

Overall, Firefox Password Manager is an excellent complimentary solution if you require basic functionalities and primarily browse the internet with the Firefox browser on all your devices. I appreciate that it encrypts my passwords locally on my device rather than in the cloud. I also value the Primary Password feature that necessitates authorization with each new browsing session, although some users may want the ability to adjust the timeout period for convenience.

SEE: Why Your Business Needs Cybersecurity Awareness Training (TechRepublic Premium)

As a browser password manager, it does not encompass all the additional privacy and security features that you receive with a premium service. Furthermore, it does not automatically synchronize your account details across other types of browsers, which could prove bothersome if, for example, you utilize Firefox on your laptop but Safari on your iPhone. Nevertheless, Mozilla Firefox is a secure browser extensively supported by most prominent websites, applications, and devices, hence I suggest overcoming this limitation by transitioning to Firefox as your main browser on all platforms.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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