How to Password Protect Mozilla Thunderbird IMAP Message Panes

The Mozilla Thunderbird email program allows you to protect the message list pane, otherwise known as the thread pane, with a password. With this password protection the message list pane remains blank until you've logged on and entered the password for your Mozilla Thunderbird email account. This password protection keeps other users with access to your computer system from accessing any portion of your email.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open the Mozilla Thunderbird email program. Click "Tools" in the options bar at the top of the screen. Select "Options" in Windows, or "Preferences" in Mac OS X and Linux, from the drop-down menu. Open the "Advanced Options" panel.

2. Select the "General" tab. Click on the "Config Editor" option. A list of preferences and a search bar are displayed.

3. Double-click the "mail.password_protect_local_cache" preference to enable you to change the assigned value. Change the value to "True."

4. Close the Mozilla Thunderbird email program to allow the program to refresh and for your changes to take effect.

5. Reopen the Mozilla Thunderbird email program. Your password protection is now enabled for use.

Resources

• Visit the Mozilla homepage, provider of Thunderbird.