Master password

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If you use Thunderbird on a machine and with a profile other users will have access to then you may want to protect all your POP, IMAP and SMTP passwords with a "Master Password".

NOTE: This will not prevent other users from reading any mail which is already stored in local folders, but it will prevent them from downloading your new mail and sending mail from your accounts.

To set a Master Password in Thunderbird, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Options dialogue (Tools menu -> Options).
  2. Open the "Advanced" tab.
  3. Expand "Passwords and Security".
  4. Click on "Manage Security Devices...".
  5. Select the "Software Security Device" from the left hand pane.
  6. Click on "Change password".
  7. Enter your password twice and click on OK.

NOTE: Currently this will not protect any passwords that are already stored in Thunderbird, so once you have set your master password you must clear Thunderbird's password memory. To do this go back to the "Passwords and Security" section of the Options dialogue, click on "Manage Stored Passwords" and click on "Remove All".