When will firefox be updated to block add-ons that don't ask for permission to install?
Seriously. Everyone knows how to REMOVE bettersurf, but nobody knows how to PREVENT IT. I'm sick of firefox letting things install without permission. When will they make it so that EVERYTHING that tries to install needs to ask permission? Why do they allow things to install by themselves?
All Replies (3)
I don't know if anything can be done to prevent all malicious add-ons from being installed. Effectively, an application that is launched on your system can do whatever it wants. Only security software and good practices like not installing suspicious programs can keep malware in check.
Mozilla handles malicious add-ons by adding them to the block list. The block list is periodically updated and any add-ons on it are disabled in the Add-ons Manager. However, Mozilla can't be expected to be aware of all malicious add-ons, especially as new ones crop up all the time with varying extension IDs and names. For example, you can see that there are multiple entries for BetterSurf in the blocklist:
If you've discovered a malicious add-on that isn't blocked, file a new bug report in the "addons.mozilla.org" product section, "Blocklisting" component subsection.
It’s very sad, but many of the software down-loaders / installers will trick you into installing not only their program, but other programs as well. You have heard of the fine print in shady contracts, right? Well, some installers you need to look at the itsy bitsy teeny weeny fine print. You are thinking you are giving the installer permission to install the program you want by using the recommended option. But if you use the Manual Option Instead, you discover all kinds of stuff that you do not even know what it is or what it does. From now on, everyone needs to Use The Manual Option to put a stop to this.