Many organizations use Active Directory (AD) account/password authentication for their websites. However, Chrome treats each site as unique, which can lead to a problem when dealing with wildcard domains in Active Directory. In this article, we will discuss the key concepts of using Chrome's Password Manager with wildcard domains in an Active Directory environment.
Understanding Active Directory and Chrome's Password Manager
Active Directory is a Microsoft product that is used to manage and secure network resources. It provides a centralized location to manage user accounts, group policies, and network resources. Chrome's Password Manager is a feature that stores and autofills usernames and passwords for websites that you visit.
Wildcard Domains in Active Directory
In an Active Directory environment, wildcard domains are used to simplify the management of multiple websites with similar names. For example, instead of creating a separate user account for each website, you can create a single user account with a wildcard domain. This allows users to access multiple websites with a single account.
Example of a Wildcard Domain in Active Directory
*.example.com
This wildcard domain allows users to access any website that ends with example.com. For example, www.subdomain.example.com and blog.example.com would both be accessible with this wildcard domain.
Chrome's Password Manager and Wildcard Domains in Active Directory
By default, Chrome's Password Manager does not support wildcard domains in Active Directory. This means that if you try to add a wildcard domain to Chrome's Password Manager, it will not be saved.
Workaround for Chrome's Password Manager and Wildcard Domains in Active Directory
To work around this issue, you can add each individual website to Chrome's Password Manager and then add the wildcard domain as a custom certificate exception. This will allow Chrome to autofill the username and password for all websites that match the wildcard domain.
Adding Each Individual Website to Chrome's Password Manager
1. Go to the website
2. Log in with your Active Directory account
3. Click the key icon in the address bar and select "Save password"
Adding the Wildcard Domain as a Custom Certificate Exception
1. Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner
2. Select "Settings"
3. Click "Advanced" at the bottom
4. Under "Privacy and security," click "Manage certificates
5. Click "Import
6. Browse to the certificate file for your Active Directory domain and click "Open
7. Check the "Place all certificates in the following store" box and select "Trusted Root Certification Authorities"
8. Click "OK" to import the certificate
- Active Directory is used to manage and secure network resources
- Chrome's Password Manager stores and autofills usernames and passwords
- Wildcard domains in Active Directory simplify the management of multiple websites
- By default, Chrome's Password Manager does not support wildcard domains in Active Directory
- To work around this issue, add the individual websites to Chrome's Password Manager and add the wildcard domain as a custom certificate exception