Mozilla has just rolled out a significant security enhancement for its Firefox browser. With the release of Firefox 127, users can now add an extra layer of protection to their saved passwords by requiring device credentials for access.
This new feature means that even if someone gains physical or remote access to your device, they won’t be able to view or use your stored passwords without first authenticating with the device’s login, such as a password, fingerprint, PIN, or other biometric authentication.
“For added protection on MacOS and Windows, a device sign in (e.g. your operating system password, fingerprint, face or voice login if enabled) can be required when accessing and filling stored passwords in the Firefox Password Manager about:logins page,” reads the release notes.
How it Works
The implementation is straightforward. When you attempt to access or autofill passwords stored in Firefox’s password manager, you’ll be prompted to authenticate using your device’s login credentials. This creates a crucial barrier against unauthorized access, even if your device is compromised.
While this feature doesn’t protect against information-stealing malware, it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized password access in situations where someone has gained physical or remote access to your device.
