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FAQ: Why does my password appear when I type my username in my web browser?

FAQ E36

At times web browsers will prompt you to save your password. Indeed many have password saving set as a default. It is insecure to do this; there are tools for decrypting/deleting such passwords on the Internet. It is really is not a good idea in general to auto-save passwords on computers. We recommend disabling this feature in your web browser. Instructions for some common browsers follow:-

Internet Explorer 8

To clear the password history:

  • Choose Tools, Internet Options and select the General tab
  • Under Browsing history click the Delete button
  • Check Passwords then select Delete
  • If you are worried about other information about you which might be stored then you can delete cookies and forms as well (but be aware this may mean you have to reset your preferences for particular sites).
  • Select OK to close the Internet Options dialogue

To disable AutoComplete for Usernames and Passwords on Forms:

  1. Choose Tools, Internet Options
  2. Click on the Content tab
  3. Under AutoComplete click on the Settings button
  4. Untick Use AutoComplete for Usernames and Passwords on Forms
  5. Select OK twice to close the dialogue boxes

Firefox 3.x

To clear the password history:

  • Open the Preferences
    • Mac: under the Firefox menu
    • Windows: choose Tools, Options
    • Linux: under the Edit menu
  • Select the Security icon
  • Select the Saved passwords button
  • You will be presented with a list of stored passwords
  • Highlight the ones you want to delete and click Remove
  • If you want to delete all the stored passwords click Remove All
  • Click Close

To disable storing of Passwords:

  • Open the Preferences (as above)
  • Select the Security icon
  • Under Passwords, untick Remember passwords for sites
  • Select OK or Close to close the dialogue box

Safari 5.x

To clear the password history:

  • From the Safari menu, choose Preferences
  • Choose the AutoFill icon
  • Click the Edit button next to User names and passwords
  • Select the ones you want to delete and select Remove
  • If you want to delete all the stored passwords click Remove All
  • Close the dialog box

To disable AutoFill Web Forms:

  • From the Safari menu, choose Preferences
  • Choose the AutoFill icon
  • Untick User names and passwords
  • Close the dialog box

Opera 10.x

To clear the password history:

  • Choose Tools, Advanced, Password Manager
  • Higlight the passwords and choose the Delete button
  • Close the dialog box

To disable the password manager:

  • Open the Preferences
  • Select the Forms tab
  • Untick Enable Password Manager

 

Last updated: October 2011