diff --git a/apps/extension/src/core/handlers/index.ts b/apps/extension/src/core/handlers/index.ts
index 0cb5d3a16..344dc0553 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/core/handlers/index.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/core/handlers/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { DEBUG, PORT_EXTENSION } from "@core/constants"
+import { PORT_EXTENSION } from "@core/constants"
 import { AnyEthRequest } from "@core/injectEth/types"
 import { log } from "@core/log"
 import { assert } from "@polkadot/util"
@@ -12,6 +12,22 @@ import Tabs from "./Tabs"
 const extension = new Extension(extensionStores)
 const tabs = new Tabs(tabStores)
 
+// dev mode logs shouldn't log content for these messages
+const OBFUSCATE_LOG_MESSAGES: MessageTypes[] = [
+  "pri(mnemonic.unlock)",
+  "pri(app.authenticate)",
+  "pri(app.checkPassword)",
+  "pri(app.changePassword)",
+  "pri(accounts.export)",
+  "pri(accounts.export.pk)",
+  "pri(accounts.validateMnemonic)",
+  "pri(accounts.create.seed)",
+  "pri(accounts.create.json)",
+  "pri(accounts.setVerifierCertMnemonic)",
+  "pri(app.onboard)",
+]
+const OBFUSCATED_PAYLOAD = "#OBFUSCATED#"
+
 const formatFrom = (source: string) => {
   if (["extension", "<unknown>"].includes(source)) return source
   if (!source) return source
@@ -35,9 +51,10 @@ const talismanHandler = <TMessageType extends MessageTypes>(
   const source = `${formatFrom(from)}: ${id}: ${
     message === "pub(eth.request)" ? `${message} ${(request as AnyEthRequest).method}` : message
   }`
+  const shouldLog = !OBFUSCATE_LOG_MESSAGES.includes(message)
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
-  DEBUG && console.debug(`[${port.name} REQ] ${source}`, { request })
+  log.debug(`[${port.name} REQ] ${source}`, { request: shouldLog ? request : OBFUSCATED_PAYLOAD })
 
   // handle the request and get a promise as a response
   const promise = isExtension
@@ -47,7 +64,10 @@ const talismanHandler = <TMessageType extends MessageTypes>(
   // resolve the promise and send back the response
   promise
     .then((response): void => {
-      log.debug(`[${port.name} RES] ${source}`, { request, response })
+      log.debug(`[${port.name} RES] ${source}`, {
+        request: shouldLog ? request : OBFUSCATED_PAYLOAD,
+        response: shouldLog ? response : OBFUSCATED_PAYLOAD,
+      })
 
       // between the start and the end of the promise, the user may have closed
       // the tab, in which case port will be undefined
@@ -63,9 +83,12 @@ const talismanHandler = <TMessageType extends MessageTypes>(
         }
         throw e
       }
+
+      // heap cleanup
+      response = null
     })
     .catch((error) => {
-      log.debug(`[err] ${source}:: ${error.message}`, { error })
+      log.error(`[${port.name} ERR] ${source}:: ${error.message}`, { error })
 
       if (
         error instanceof Error &&
@@ -97,6 +120,10 @@ const talismanHandler = <TMessageType extends MessageTypes>(
         }
       }
     })
+    .finally(() => {
+      // heap cleanup
+      data.request = null
+    })
 }
 
 export default talismanHandler
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/dashboard/routes/Settings/ChangePassword.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/dashboard/routes/Settings/ChangePassword.tsx
index f4dfe0274..0ad278a80 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/dashboard/routes/Settings/ChangePassword.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/dashboard/routes/Settings/ChangePassword.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { api } from "@ui/api"
 import Layout from "@ui/apps/dashboard/layout"
 import { MnemonicModal } from "@ui/domains/Settings/MnemonicModal"
 import useMnemonicBackup from "@ui/hooks/useMnemonicBackup"
-import { useCallback } from "react"
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo } from "react"
 import { useForm } from "react-hook-form"
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next"
 import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom"
@@ -26,22 +26,27 @@ const ChangePassword = () => {
   const { isNotConfirmed } = useMnemonicBackup()
   const { isOpen, open, close } = useOpenClose()
 
-  const schema = yup
-    .object({
-      currentPw: yup.string().required(""),
-      newPw: yup.string().required("").min(6, t("Password must be at least 6 characters long")),
-      newPwConfirm: yup
-        .string()
-        .required("")
-        .oneOf([yup.ref("newPw")], t("Passwords must match!")),
-    })
-    .required()
+  const schema = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      yup
+        .object({
+          currentPw: yup.string().required(""),
+          newPw: yup.string().required("").min(6, t("Password must be at least 6 characters long")),
+          newPwConfirm: yup
+            .string()
+            .required("")
+            .oneOf([yup.ref("newPw")], t("Passwords must match!")),
+        })
+        .required(),
+    [t]
+  )
 
   const {
     register,
     handleSubmit,
     formState: { errors, isValid, isSubmitting },
     setError,
+    setValue,
   } = useForm<FormData>({
     mode: "onChange",
     resolver: yupResolver(schema),
@@ -73,6 +78,14 @@ const ChangePassword = () => {
     [navigate, setError, t]
   )
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("currentPw", "")
+      setValue("newPw", "")
+      setValue("newPwConfirm", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   return (
     <>
       <Layout withBack centered>
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/context.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/context.tsx
index 785857a02..13d5d5aef 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/context.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/context.tsx
@@ -62,6 +62,12 @@ const useAppOnboardProvider = ({ isResettingWallet = false }: { isResettingWalle
       })
   }, [data.allowTracking])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setData(DEFAULT_DATA)
+    }
+  }, [])
+
   return {
     onboard,
     reset,
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/ImportSeed.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/ImportSeed.tsx
index 0c09c626f..1aa77e956 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/ImportSeed.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/ImportSeed.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { yupResolver } from "@hookform/resolvers/yup"
 import { api } from "@ui/api"
 import { AnalyticsPage, sendAnalyticsEvent } from "@ui/api/analytics"
 import { useAnalyticsPageView } from "@ui/hooks/useAnalyticsPageView"
-import { useCallback, useMemo } from "react"
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo } from "react"
 import { useForm } from "react-hook-form"
 import { Trans, useTranslation } from "react-i18next"
 import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom"
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ export const ImportSeedPage = () => {
   const {
     register,
     handleSubmit,
+    setValue,
     formState: { errors, isValid },
   } = useForm<FormData>({
     mode: "onChange",
@@ -85,6 +86,12 @@ export const ImportSeedPage = () => {
     [data.importAccountType, data.importMethodType, navigate, updateData]
   )
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("mnemonic", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   return (
     <Layout withBack analytics={ANALYTICS_PAGE}>
       <div className="flex justify-center">
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/Password.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/Password.tsx
index 86318c6ab..2e239cce1 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/Password.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/onboard/routes/Password.tsx
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ export const PasswordPage = () => {
     handleSubmit,
     watch,
     trigger,
+    setValue,
     formState: { errors, isValid, isSubmitting },
   } = useForm<FormData>({
     mode: "all",
@@ -99,6 +100,13 @@ export const PasswordPage = () => {
         ]
   }, [data, t])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("password", "")
+      setValue("passwordConfirm", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   return (
     <Layout withBack analytics={ANALYTICS_PAGE}>
       <div className="flex justify-center">
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/popup/pages/Login.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/popup/pages/Login.tsx
index ac5b6b5d4..99e804b4e 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/popup/pages/Login.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/apps/popup/pages/Login.tsx
@@ -137,6 +137,12 @@ const Login = ({ setShowResetWallet }: { setShowResetWallet: () => void }) => {
     }
   }, [handleSubmit, setValue, submit])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("password", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   return (
     <Layout className="pt-32">
       <Suspense fallback={<SuspenseTracker name="Background" />}>
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportModal.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportModal.tsx
index 2fb6b040b..588e8972c 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportModal.tsx
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ const ExportAccountForm = ({ onSuccess }: { onSuccess?: () => void }) => {
     formState: { errors, isValid, isSubmitting },
     watch,
     setError,
+    setValue,
   } = useForm<FormData>({
     mode: "onChange",
     resolver: yupResolver(schema),
@@ -99,6 +100,13 @@ const ExportAccountForm = ({ onSuccess }: { onSuccess?: () => void }) => {
     [exportAccount, setError, onSuccess, password]
   )
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("newPw", "")
+      setValue("newPwConfirm", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   if (!canExportAccount || !password) return null
   return (
     <div>
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportPrivateKeyModal.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportPrivateKeyModal.tsx
index 2526c597d..04f5fc17d 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportPrivateKeyModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/AccountExportPrivateKeyModal.tsx
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ import { notify } from "@talisman/components/Notifications"
 import { useOpenClose } from "@talisman/hooks/useOpenClose"
 import { CopyIcon, LoaderIcon } from "@talisman/theme/icons"
 import { provideContext } from "@talisman/util/provideContext"
-import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query"
 import { api } from "@ui/api"
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo } from "react"
+import { useSensitiveState } from "@ui/hooks/useSensitiveState"
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from "react"
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next"
 import { Button } from "talisman-ui"
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const useAccountExportPrivateKeyModalProvider = () => {
   )
 
   const exportAccount = useCallback(
-    (password: string) => {
+    async (password: string) => {
       if (!account) return
       return api.accountExportPrivateKey(account.address, password)
     },
@@ -46,19 +46,10 @@ const ExportPrivateKeyResult = ({ onClose }: { onClose?: () => void }) => {
   const { account, exportAccount } = useAccountExportPrivateKeyModal()
   const { password } = usePasswordUnlock()
 
-  // force password check each time this component is rendered
-  const {
-    error,
-    data: privateKey,
-    isLoading,
-  } = useQuery({
-    queryKey: ["accountExportPrivateKey", !!password],
-    queryFn: () => (password ? exportAccount(password) : null),
-    refetchInterval: false,
-    refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
-    refetchOnReconnect: false,
-    refetchOnMount: true,
-  })
+  // don't use react-query here as we don't want this to be cached
+  const [privateKey, setPrivateKey] = useSensitiveState<string>()
+  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false)
+  const [error, setError] = useState<Error>()
 
   const copyToClipboard = useCallback(async () => {
     if (!privateKey) return
@@ -88,6 +79,24 @@ const ExportPrivateKeyResult = ({ onClose }: { onClose?: () => void }) => {
     }
   }, [privateKey, t])
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (password) {
+      setError(undefined)
+      setIsLoading(true)
+      exportAccount(password)
+        .then(setPrivateKey)
+        .catch(setError)
+        .finally(() => setIsLoading(false))
+    }
+  }, [exportAccount, password, setPrivateKey])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setError(undefined)
+      setIsLoading(false)
+    }
+  }, [])
+
   if (!account) return null
 
   return (
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/MnemonicForm.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/MnemonicForm.tsx
index 1b1ba66a6..11605e131 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/MnemonicForm.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/MnemonicForm.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import { classNames } from "@talismn/util"
 import { api } from "@ui/api"
 import useMnemonicBackup from "@ui/hooks/useMnemonicBackup"
-import { useEffect, useState } from "react"
+import { useSensitiveState } from "@ui/hooks/useSensitiveState"
+import { useEffect } from "react"
 import { Trans, useTranslation } from "react-i18next"
 import styled from "styled-components"
 import { Toggle } from "talisman-ui"
@@ -41,13 +42,13 @@ type MnemonicFormProps = {
 const MnemonicForm = ({ className }: MnemonicFormProps) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation()
   const { isConfirmed, toggleConfirmed } = useMnemonicBackup()
-  const [mnemonic, setMnemonic] = useState<string>()
+  const [mnemonic, setMnemonic] = useSensitiveState<string>()
   const { password } = usePasswordUnlock()
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!password) return
-    api.mnemonicUnlock(password).then((result) => setMnemonic(result))
-  }, [password])
+    api.mnemonicUnlock(password).then(setMnemonic)
+  }, [password, setMnemonic])
 
   return (
     <div className={classNames("flex grow flex-col", className)}>
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/PasswordUnlock.tsx b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/PasswordUnlock.tsx
index 4b4ed5fb9..a5def5e01 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/PasswordUnlock.tsx
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Account/PasswordUnlock.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { yupResolver } from "@hookform/resolvers/yup"
 import { KeyIcon } from "@talisman/theme/icons"
 import { provideContext } from "@talisman/util/provideContext"
 import { api } from "@ui/api"
-import { ReactNode, useCallback, useState } from "react"
+import { useSensitiveState } from "@ui/hooks/useSensitiveState"
+import { ReactNode, useCallback, useEffect } from "react"
 import { useForm } from "react-hook-form"
 import { useTranslation } from "react-i18next"
 import { Button, FormFieldContainer, FormFieldInputText } from "talisman-ui"
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ type PasswordUnlockContext = {
 }
 
 function usePasswordUnlockContext(): PasswordUnlockContext {
-  const [password, setPassword] = useState<string>()
+  const [password, setPassword] = useSensitiveState<string>()
 
   const checkPassword = useCallback(
     async (password: string) => {
@@ -56,6 +57,8 @@ const BasePasswordUnlock = ({ className, children, buttonText, title }: Password
     register,
     handleSubmit,
     setError,
+    setValue,
+    setFocus,
     formState: { errors, isValid, isSubmitting },
   } = useForm<FormData>({
     mode: "onChange",
@@ -77,6 +80,16 @@ const BasePasswordUnlock = ({ className, children, buttonText, title }: Password
     [checkPassword, setError]
   )
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!password) setFocus("password")
+  }, [password, setFocus])
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      setValue("password", "")
+    }
+  }, [setValue])
+
   return password ? (
     <div className={className}>{children}</div>
   ) : (
@@ -92,8 +105,6 @@ const BasePasswordUnlock = ({ className, children, buttonText, title }: Password
               placeholder={t("Enter password")}
               spellCheck={false}
               data-lpignore
-              // eslint-disable-next-line jsx-a11y/no-autofocus
-              autoFocus
             />
           </FormFieldContainer>
         </div>
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Settings/MigratePassword/context.ts b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Settings/MigratePassword/context.ts
index 96abbfa2b..81876694f 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Settings/MigratePassword/context.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/domains/Settings/MigratePassword/context.ts
@@ -4,14 +4,15 @@ import useStatus, { statusOptions } from "@talisman/hooks/useStatus"
 import { provideContext } from "@talisman/util/provideContext"
 import { api } from "@ui/api"
 import useMnemonicBackup from "@ui/hooks/useMnemonicBackup"
+import { useSensitiveState } from "@ui/hooks/useSensitiveState"
 import { useSetting } from "@ui/hooks/useSettings"
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react"
 
 const useMigratePasswordProvider = ({ onComplete }: { onComplete: () => void }) => {
-  const [password, setPassword] = useState<string>()
-  const [newPassword, setNewPassword] = useState<string>()
+  const [password, setPassword] = useSensitiveState<string>()
+  const [newPassword, setNewPassword] = useSensitiveState<string>()
+  const [mnemonic, setMnemonic] = useSensitiveState<string>()
   const [passwordTrimmed, setPasswordTrimmed] = useState<boolean>()
-  const [mnemonic, setMnemonic] = useState<string>()
   const [hasBackedUpMnemonic, setHasBackedUpMnemonic] = useState<boolean>(false)
   const [error, setError] = useState<Error>()
   const [useErrorTracking] = useSetting("useErrorTracking")
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/ui/hooks/useSensitiveState.ts b/apps/extension/src/ui/hooks/useSensitiveState.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d912b8665
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/ui/hooks/useSensitiveState.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react"
+
+function useSensitiveState<T>(): [
+  T | undefined,
+  React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<T | undefined>>
+]
+function useSensitiveState<T>(initialValue: T): [T, React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<T>>]
+function useSensitiveState<T>(
+  initialValue?: T
+): [T | undefined, React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<T | undefined>>] {
+  const [value, setValue] = useState<T | undefined>(initialValue)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      // Clear the sensitive state value on unmount
+      setValue(undefined)
+    }
+  }, [])
+
+  return [value, setValue]
+}
+
+export { useSensitiveState }