possible to download-run firefox from an external hd in an effort to secure passwords etc?
because threat of hacking is increasing and security/profile information is very vulnerable can i download and run firefox from an external hd, or store profile on external hd which can be disconnected from the computer once i have initiated firefox, in such a way that the profile is only available when actually connected by usb to the computer, yet firefox continues to run properly
does that question make sense to you ?
thnx, john dahl
edit: removed phone# from public.
Modified by James
All Replies (8)
Hello johndouglasdahl
I believe I understand your question. There is actually a portable version of Firefox available just for this requirement, to be booted from an external source. In fact because of the size of Firefox, you can even use it on a USB stick if you would rather.
You can download it here: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable.
Kind regards
Edward Haigh
Firefox Password Manager has the option of using a Master Password. Once set, you must enter the Master Password before the manager will fill out anything.
The Portable Firefox option as mentioned has been a trusted source for years now even though it is not Mozilla. It is useful as the Profile is contained with Firefox instead of being separate.
thnx for your recommendation Edward i was not aware of Portable Firefox/Mozilla
if i understand you correctly its eems the Portable would be downloaded entirely to a thumb/external drive and run from that location - that everything Portable needs - all the concomitant files would be on the external including the firefox profile files
at the moment i am using the Mozilla Master Password. perhaps there is a way to store the master password and the password file(s) on a removable thumb which i would remove once i'm connected to the internet
i kinda sound paranoid thnx,j
thnx FredMc and James C i've started using the Mozilla Master Password option
it uses a max of17 characters for its password, so i wonder abt its security abilities
my concept is to have all passwords exclusively on a portable thumb drive which i insert for the moment the password is needed, then remove it from any connection to the pc
maybe my concept is naive; i'm sure more cleaver persons would hijack a pc by not so much as scanning for a particular (bookmarks or favorites) file then sending the file to home base, but would sit quietly waiting until it sensed that the operator has been asked to enter a password, then send the password to homebase.
i
thnx FredMc and James C i've started using the Mozilla Master Password option
it uses a max of17 characters for its password, so i wonder abt its security abilities
my concept is to have all passwords exclusively on a portable thumb drive which i insert for the moment the password is needed, then remove it from any connection to the pc
maybe my concept is naive; i'm sure more cleaver persons would hijack a pc by not so much as scanning for a particular (bookmarks or favorites) file then sending the file to home base, but would sit quietly waiting until it sensed that the operator has been asked to enter a password, then send the password to homebase.
i want to than each of you contributors for suggestions and help
i'm having too many issues with firefox portable and i don't want to deal with them; i don't think there is an easy, viable solution; or i have mixed two incompatible products
i've purchased LastPass
now i want to delete portable and reinstall firefox24, BUT i don't want to loose any bookmarks from firefox33 or from LastPass. i think i cannot have my cake and eat it too UNLESS you have a suggestion how to isolate bookmarks from being uninstalled (i plan to manually, paper-pencil, copy names of sites and their respective passwords, just in case ! nothing is easy re computers and security and conflicting sofware programs, and in life generally.) thnx, john p.s., i'm using this/these sets of threads because i can't successfully start a new question/subject - software keeps me going in circles and not to the place where i can actually type a question, like here
Warning ! ! ! Firefox 32 and later builds store the passwords in the logins.json file in the profile folder and no longer use the signons.sqlite file.
These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox
FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.
OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences