Browsers are designed for speed. By default, if you are logged into your computer, your browser assumes it is safe to autofill your usernames and passwords the moment a login page loads.
This creates a dangerous “single point of failure.” If you step away from your unlocked laptop for just a minute, or if someone gains remote access to your computer, they have instant access to your bank, email, and sensitive accounts without needing to know a single password.
You should fix this immediately. Every major desktop browser allows you to require re-authentication—entering your computer’s PIN, password, or using a fingerprint scan—before it fills in credentials. This adds a layer of protection that stops unauthorized users in their tracks.
Here is how to enable these protections on desktop versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
[Read more…]