EDIT: Removing unnecessary comment to focus on what’s this about.
Linux keeps prompting me for password when I don’t need it to (installing programs, changing settings etc.) but when I would actually want it to - viewing passwords saved in web browser - it doesn’t. I’d like Linux to prompt me to enter password when viewing passwords saved in browsers. This works by default in Windows. Anyone know how to fix set it on Linux?
System: Linux Mint 21.2 Cinnamon (but it was the same in 21.1).
Browser: Vivaldi 6.1.3035.111 (Stable channel) stable (64-bit), but it’s the same in Waterfox.
That’s application specific. In firefox you can set a main password to protect your saved passwords.
Sounds like a browser config issue rather than a linux issue
This depends on browser support. I recommend bypassing the issue altogether by using a password manager like Bitwarden (a free as in freedom SaaS) or KeepassXC (a program for using .kdbx password databases which can be synced between devices by you in any way you want, like Nextcloud or Dropbox).
Nothing to really fix because thats the design. In userland you can do anything, system wide needs elevated credentials. If you don’t want the password prompt, look into aliases and sudoers/pkexec
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/using-master-password-firefox-android
The reason Linux asks for your password to install programs is to prevent users without the password from installing and to give you a 2nd chance to ponder if you really want to install HaXXor Pwned.exe.
It asks for password on brave browser. Seems like a browser setting issue.
Edit: I use latest Linux mint.