Web browsers commonly offer to save usernames and passwords for convenience. While this feature improves user experience, it also introduces a significant attack surface that is frequently abused by malware, insider threats, and unauthorized users.
From a cybersecurity perspective, saved browser passwords represent locally stored credentials that can be extracted, misused, or abused under certain conditions. This article explains the security risks associated with browser-stored passwords and provides step-by-step instructions to remove them from three widely used browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
The Cybersecurity Risk of Saved Browser Passwords
Saved passwords are not protected in the same way as dedicated password managers. In many real-world incidents, attackers do not need to crack passwords — they simply extract them from the browser.
Common attack scenarios include:
Infostealer malware that dumps browser credential databases
Physical access attacks, where an unlocked or compromised system exposes stored logins
Shared systems in offices, labs, or cyber cafés
Privilege escalation attacks that allow attackers to read browser data
Cloud sync abuse, where stolen browser accounts expose passwords across devices
In breach investigations, browser-stored passwords are often the first credentials attackers harvest.
Browsers Covered in This Guide
This guide explains secure password removal for:
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
Each browser stores credentials differently, but all can expose passwords if the endpoint is compromised.
Removing Saved Passwords in Google Chrome (Security-Focused Steps)
Open Google Chrome.
Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
Navigate to Autofill and passwords.
Click Google Password Manager.
Review the list under Saved passwords.
Click the three dots next to any entry.
Select Delete.
Security note:
If Chrome sync is enabled, passwords may also exist in your Google account. Review synced devices and sign out of unused sessions to reduce exposure.
Removing Saved Passwords in Mozilla Firefox
Open Mozilla Firefox.
Click the menu icon and go to Settings.
Select Privacy & Security.
Scroll to Logins and Passwords.
Click Saved Logins.
Select a website entry.
Click Remove.
Security note:
Firefox allows you to disable password storage entirely. For high-risk users, this is recommended to prevent credential harvesting by malware.
Removing Saved Passwords in Microsoft Edge
Open Microsoft Edge.
Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
Go to Profiles.
Click Passwords.
Locate saved credentials under Saved passwords.
Click the three dots next to an entry.
Select Delete.
Security note:
If Edge is synced with a Microsoft account, credentials may persist across devices. Review account security activity and remove old sessions.
Real-World Security Example
In multiple enterprise breach cases, attackers gained initial access through phishing or malware. Instead of brute-forcing accounts, they extracted saved browser passwords from the victim’s system. These credentials were then used to access:
Email accounts
Cloud dashboards
VPN portals
Internal admin panels
The compromise escalated not because passwords were weak, but because they were stored insecurely in the browser.
Cybersecurity Best Practices Beyond Password Removal
Removing saved passwords should be part of a broader defensive strategy:
Use a dedicated password manager with strong encryption
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical accounts
Keep operating systems and browsers fully updated
Monitor endpoints for infostealer and credential-harvesting malware
Avoid saving credentials on shared or unmanaged devices
Regularly audit browser extensions and remove untrusted ones
When Browser Password Storage Should Be Avoided Completely
From a security standpoint, browser password storage should be avoided if:
You work in cybersecurity, IT, finance, or administration
You access sensitive dashboards or production systems
Your device is shared or unmanaged
You frequently connect to public or untrusted networks
In these scenarios, browser-stored credentials represent an unnecessary and preventable risk.
Conclusion
Saved browser passwords offer convenience, but they also lower the security baseline of an endpoint. In modern attack chains, credential theft is often automated and silent, making stored passwords an easy target.
Removing saved passwords and adopting secure credential management practices is a small but effective step toward reducing account compromise and lateral movement risks.
For individuals and organizations alike, browser password hygiene is a fundamental cybersecurity control.