This script extracts your saved passwords, bookmarks, history, and cookies from Firefox and stores them in plaintext .txt files inside a backup directory.
The script grabs data from the following Firefox files:
| Data Type | Source File |
|---|---|
| Passwords | logins.json, key4.db |
| Bookmarks | places.sqlite |
| History | places.sqlite |
| Cookies | cookies.sqlite |
Output is saved in a .txt format for each category.
chmod +x xtract.sh
./firefox_backup.sh
or
bash xtract.sh
Backups will be saved in a directory named browser_backup in your home directory.
Firefox stores user data in profiles located under:
~/.mozilla/firefox/
This script uses a pattern to automatically detect the correct profile directory, searching for:
*.default-release
*.default-esr
*.default
If the Script Doesn't Work the First Time
Firefox can create multiple profiles (especially after updates or ESR installations). If the script doesn’t extract your data the first time:
- Manually check which profiles exist:
Navigate to your home directory
cd ~/.mozilla/firefox/
mousepad profiles.ini&
-
Look for Paths ending in .default, .default-release, or .default-esr.
-
You can also manually override the profile path by editing the script or adding logic to handle custom profiles.
Requirements
-
Bash
-
Firefox installed with at least one user profile
-
sqlite3 (for reading bookmarks, history, and cookies)
Install sqlite3 if not present:
sudo apt install sqlite3
Disclaimer
This script is for personal use only. It extracts sensitive data in plaintext — handle it responsibly.
Do not use this on someone else without permission.