Protect: password encryption
Hackers try to steal passwords in order to access your personal data or e-wallets. It is best to encrypt your stored passwords, so even if hackers manage to steal them, they won't be able to use them.
Password encryption in Yandex Browser
The password vault is encrypted using the AES-256-GCM algorithm, which uses a key. The AES-256 algorithm is considered reliable: the Department of Homeland Security in the USA recommends using it to protect Top Secret data.
However, even the most complex encryption algorithm will not protect your passwords if a hacker finds the encryption key. The master password lets you use very powerful encryption for the key.
The key is encrypted using the master password. If you forget your master password, you can reset it using a recovery key.
The master password is not stored on devices, so it can't be stolen. With a master password, you don't have to worry about:
- Theft of the passwords stored on your smartphone.
- Losing passwords if your smartphone is lost or stolen.
- Synced data stored on Yandex servers (the encryption is set up so that even Yandex cannot decrypt your passwords).
This option is less reliable due to the following risks:
- Anyone who opens Yandex Browser for Mobile on your smartphone can view your passwords in the manager.
- Your encryption key is protected by your operating system, rather than a master password. If hackers access to your phone, they can steal and decrypt your passwords.
- Yandex can access your passwords during syncing.
To learn more about password encryption, see Password encryption in Yandex Browser.
Master password
A master password provides an additional level of security for your passwords. After you create a master password, the browser will request it when you attempt to open the password vault or enter a previously saved password in a login form.
Instead of a huge number of passwords from websites, you will only have to remember one master password. Passwords from websites will also be more secure. Access to the vault is locked by the master password, which cannot be stolen, because it's not stored on devices.
Create a master password
To create a master password:
- Tap
in the browser (if you don't see the icon, press the menu button on your smartphone). - Tap .
- Tap Create master password.
- Enter the master password. We recommend using passwords that are complex but easy to remember.
- Tap Continue.
- Then re-enter the password to confirm.
- Tap Create master password.
Now you can save website passwords in your browser and your password manager will only be accessible if you enter your master password. The master password you created is not saved on the smartphone or on the server. Only a key encrypted with it is saved.
Delete master password
- Tap in the browser (if you don't see the icon, press the menu button on your smartphone).
- Tap .
- Tap Delete master password.
- Enter the master password and tap Confirm.
After that, the browser will no longer request your master password to access passwords. At the next sync, the master password will be deleted from other devices.
Time to block storage
You can change the time after which the browser blocks access to the password vault and requests the master password when someone attempts to access it:
- Tap in the browser (if you don't see the icon, press the menu button on your smartphone).
- Tap .
- Tap Access control.
- Enter the master password.
- In Lock access, select one of the options: After restart, After lock screen, or Never.
If you forget your master password
If you already created a backup encryption key:
- In the entry dialog where you enter your master password, tap Forgot password.
- Tap Reset master password.
- Enter your Yandex ID password.
- Re-create your master password
If you didn't create a backup encryption key, you won't be able to restore access to your passwords.
Gesture, PIN, fingerprint
To avoid entering the master password every time you unlock your smartphone, lock the device using one of the conventional methods instead (PIN, gesture, or fingerprint). Your passwords in storage will still be encrypted with the master password. Each time you unlock your device, the browser will restore your master password and then decrypt the password vault.
If you delete your master password, the browser will no longer ask for your PIN, gesture, or fingerprint.
To change the password unlock method:
- Tap in the browser (if you don't see the icon, press the menu button on your smartphone).
- Tap .
- Tap Access control.
- Enter the master password.
- In the Unlock with section, select one of the options: master password, fingerprint, gesture, or PIN. The available options depend on your smartphone model.
Backup encryption key
If you forget your master password, you can only restore your passwords if you have a recovery key. To create one, you will need to enable syncing.
To change your master password, you will not only need a recovery key, but also a special file. It will be created automatically when you enter your master password for the first time and save it locally. That's why even Yandex can't decrypt your passwords.
To restore access, you must enter the password to your Yandex ID. The likelihood that a hacker could simultaneously steal the key from the server, the file from your device, and your Yandex ID password is very low.
To create a backup encryption key, tap Enable in the window that opens after you create a master password. If your device hasn't synced, enable syncing by entering your Yandex ID password.
If you can't find the information you need in Help or you are having issues with Yandex Browser for Mobile, please describe your actions step by step. Take a screenshot if possible. This will help our support specialists quickly find a solution for the issue you're experiencing.
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