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Why can I still download new emails after changing my pword via the web site of my email provider, but have not yet changed it in Thunderbird?

  • 4 replies
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  • Last reply by Dashour

Dashour
Dashour
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Normally, when I change my email password, I do it on the email providers web site. Once the password is changed that way, I cannot download email into thunderbird until I have also changed the password that Thunderbird uses to access my email account. This is usually done via a pop up window in thunderbird that asks me for the password.

However, I have just changed my email password as normal, but thunderbird can still download my email from that account without asking at all the new password, and when I checked in "saved passwords" the OLD password is still listed (but not, of course, the new one)

I have repeated tested out the new password on my providers web site, and indeed the new password now works, and the old password does not work - except in Thunderbird, where it continues to work. Why?

Normally, when I change my email password, I do it on the email providers web site. Once the password is changed that way, I cannot download email into thunderbird until I have also changed the password that Thunderbird uses to access my email account. This is usually done via a pop up window in thunderbird that asks me for the password. However, I have just changed my email password as normal, but thunderbird can still download my email from that account without asking at all the new password, and when I checked in "saved passwords" the OLD password is still listed (but not, of course, the new one) I have repeated tested out the new password on my providers web site, and indeed the new password now works, and the old password does not work - except in Thunderbird, where it continues to work. Why?

Chosen solution

dashour said

Ok Matt many thanks for that answer. Uhm, is this something I should be concerned about?

No.

My main concern was that my old password could still be used by somebody - but this sounds like that's not the case, right?

Right.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

Matt
Matt
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My guess is you are using Oauth2.0 to authenticate. It uses token created when you enter your password the first time and will continue to work until the provider revokes them in some cases for ever.

The Oauth folks have information on their web site https://www.oauth.com/oauth2-servers/access-tokens/access-token-lifetime/

Exactly what "model" is in use in your case I have no idea.

Google discuss their implementation here https://developers.google.com/identity/protocols/OAuth2UserAgent#validate-access-token As that is the main use of Oauth in Thunderbird I am assuming it is their implementation.

Dashour
Dashour Question owner
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Ok Matt many thanks for that answer. Uhm, is this something I should be concerned about? My main concern was that my old password could still be used by somebody - but this sounds like that's not the case, right? Thanks.

Matt
Matt
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Chosen Solution

dashour said

Ok Matt many thanks for that answer. Uhm, is this something I should be concerned about?

No.

My main concern was that my old password could still be used by somebody - but this sounds like that's not the case, right?

Right.

Modified by Matt

Dashour
Dashour Question owner
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Many thanks Matt. A quick reply, for free, it doesn't get better than that. Cheers.