Mozilla is working on a new feature for the Firefox web browser that helps users generate random secure passwords when they create new accounts on the Internet.

The feature is part of a concentrated effort to make the password manager of the Firefox browser more useful. Mozilla launched a first batch of improvements in Firefox 67 which it released on May 21, 2019 to the public. Among the new features were options to save passwords in private browsing mode and support for an authentication API.

Mozilla released Firefox Lockwise, a password manager companion app for Android, iOS and desktop systems recently as well. Firefox Lockwise on mobile brings all saved Firefox passwords to the mobile device and supports options to sign-in globally using these passwords.

Mozilla plans to introduce a password generator in Firefox 69. The password generator would work in conjunction with Firefox's built-in password manager.

Firefox suggests a password during registration processes on Internet sites. The process works on sites that use the autocomplete="new-password" attribute currently only but will work on password fields that don't use it as well in the future. (thanks Sören)

Firefox displays a "use generated password" option when the password field is activated. Selection of the password adds it to the field and saves it automatically under saved logins. The password is saved there even if the registration is ended prematurely.

The new password generator of Firefox is not enabled by default in Firefox Nightly. It is controlled by an advanced configuration option that Firefox users may set to on or off to allow or disable the functionality.

Load about:config in the Firefox address bar. Confirm that you will be careful. Search for signon.generation.available. Set the preference to True to enable the password generator or set it to False to disable it.

Firefox 69 has a preference in the regular settings to control the password generator.

Load about:preferences#privacy in the Firefox address bar. Scroll down to the logins and passwords section. Suggest and generate strong passwords determines whether Firefox's password generator is turned on or off. Check it to turn it on, or uncheck it to turn it off.

Firefox 69 is scheduled for a September 3, 2019 release.

Closing Words

The password generator comes without any configuration options at this point; it is not possible to change important parameters such as the password length or charset. Still, the introduction is a step in the right direction as it assists users who use Firefox's built-in password manager with the generation of passwords that are more secure than the average passwords that users choose when they create accounts on the Internet.

Google Chrome supports password generations as well but only if sync is enabled.

Now You: Do you use a browser's built in password manager or a third-party solution?

Summary Article Name Firefox 69 has a password generator Description Mozilla is working on a new feature for the Firefox web browser that helps users generate random secure passwords when they create new accounts on the Internet. Author Martin Brinkmann Publisher Ghacks Technology News Logo

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