LOST - One Master password for the software security device.

[1Jules]

Another silly question from the dopey new member...

I changed my master password too late in the evening to remember what it was..... Told my thinkpad NOT to remember it.....trying to be security conscious and all. How do I find it/rest it when I don't know what it is? HELP!...please.

Jules...

p.s. I can see me being barred from this forum for being dim!

[poshgeordie]

Oops!

What do you mean by the master password? Is this the supervisor password (SVP) in the bios?

[1Jules]

Hi Nick,
Thank goodness there is life out there!
When I look at the tool bar on my screen and click on Tools, it gives me Options at the bottom of the list. Clicking on this and going to security it gives me the choice to set a Master Password...well, I changed this on a whim and can't remember what I changed it to. Now it prompts me at every turn to 'Enter' the Master Password for the Security Device....
Hope that gives you more info.

[Harryc]

Mod edit - Careful gents, we can't talk about how to remove a supervisor password here. Thank-you.

[sarbin]

@1Jules...
you're talking about the firefox master password. from all i've read, there is no retrieving it if you've forgotten it. there is no circumvention.

[1Jules]

Hi Harryc,

I AM SOOO SORRY if i've asked something inappropriate. My second ever question and I seem to have inadvertently upset an apple cart... Is that what I'm trying to do? Change/override a supervisor's password? In my defense, I am the 'supervisor' though I don't think I'm really fit to supervise anything if I've made such a blogs of this. It's my little ol' laptop, promise and sorry if I've opened a can of worms...

[1Jules]

Thank you Sarbin for trying to help.

Looks like I'm going to be cursed with this 'request' though my own stupidity (and a couple of glasses of claret), for all time!

[sarbin]

no, not cursed.
you asked a question and then you were given the forum guidelines about ibm password circumvention information requests. although, those guidelines likely extend to all passwords.

anyway, like i posted, you're seeing firefox prompting for the password used to store and protect saved website login credentials. everything i've read states it can't be recovered if forgotten.

[Harryc]

Hi Harryc,

I AM SOOO SORRY if i've asked something inappropriate.

No worries mate. I had no idea what you were asking. Until Sarbin mentioned Firefox it didn't register. What happens if you de-install and reinstall Firefox? Just don't forget the password this time

[sarbin]

uninstalling doesn't remove the user profile where the encrypted store is located. gotta delete the profile too.

[1Jules]

Hi Harryc,

I don't think I've ever been called 'Mate' before! My Hubby will laugh his socks off when I tell him....Sorry, if I tell him! I'd have to admit to my stupidity then, wouldn't I? LOL!

I will try to de-install, re-install but, being a dim-wit when it comes to things more complicated than an egg-timer, I might just have to lay in this bed I've made for myself!!!!

Thanks anyway, you've cheered me up being my 'Mate'!

[1Jules]

OOOOoooo, this is getting more technical! Wish you chaps lived closer to Staffordshire!

Jx.

[Harryc]

Sarbin, any chance you could tell '1Jules' where that profile folder is located?

[sarbin]

sorry, i stepped away...

assuming windows xp...
C:\Documents and Settings\your username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\random charachters.default
substitute appropriately for the bold text above. deleting this folder will delete all bookmarks, settings, cookies, etc. i'm not sure of the exact path under other flavors of windows or for 'nix.

1Jules... you may want to visit the mozilla firefox forum here: http://forums.mozillazine.org/index.php?c=4 and check for suggestions. unfortunately the site seems to be down at the moment.

lastly, with firefox closed you could move the following files: key3.db, secmod.db and signons3.txt (signons3.txt if ff v3, signons2.txt if ff v2)
out of your profile directory into a safe place. then launch firefox and see if you get prompted. i believe the files will be recreated fresh. if it works, then all you've lost are the login ids and passwords for whatever websites you've stored. they can be added back as you visit them again.

[...edit...] secmod.db may not need to be moved out, but shouldn't hurt. have a look at: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox for much info on the ff profile.

[Boinng]

Mod edit - Careful gents, we can't talk about how to remove a supervisor password here. Thank-you.

I can appreciate why this, and it's a rule and as such I respect it, but I have to say - certain events transpired with my own T20 recently which resulted in the supervisor password being removed from the machine, and I was absolutely aghast at how simply this was achieved! I think there's a case for publicising the truth about the supervisor password on these machines, to encourage people not to rely on them, since they really provide no genuine security at all!!

[Robbyrobot]

I can appreciate why this, and it's a rule and as such I respect it, but I have to say - certain events transpired with my own T20 recently which resulted in the supervisor password being removed from the machine, and I was absolutely aghast at how simply this was achieved! I think there's a case for publicising the truth about the supervisor password on these machines, to encourage people not to rely on them, since they really provide no genuine security at all!!

SVPs are worthless as protection against theft, but as so many uninformed people think they lock out "thieves" most forums prohibit any discussion dealing with their elimination or bypassing.

Here, as in other forums, it's best to ask for help by requesting a PM.

[1Jules]

I did manage to re-set my master security password all thanks to you all for the help.

It really was nothing sinister - just my little old thinkpad and me trying to be clever by creating one after too many glasses of wine and so not having a clue as to the password I'd chosen. All's well that ends well!