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How to identify approved add-ons?

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Are all the add-ons at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ are approved?

FAQ (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/faq) says that unapproved add-ons are clearly marked.

       "...(Are add-ons safe to install?)  Unless clearly marked otherwise, add-ons available from this gallery have been checked and approved by Mozilla's team of editors and are safe to install. ..."

How to distinguish between approved and unapproved add-ons?


Thanks in advance for the help.

Are all the add-ons at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ are approved? FAQ (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/faq) says that unapproved add-ons are clearly marked. "...(Are add-ons safe to install?) Unless clearly marked otherwise, add-ons available from this gallery have been checked and approved by Mozilla's team of editors and are safe to install. ..." How to distinguish between approved and unapproved add-ons? Thanks in advance for the help.

Chosen solution

Approved add-ons have a green + Add to Firefox button.

Add-ons with minimal review have a yellow and black striped + Add to Firefox button.

Add-ons with a grey button are not compatible with your version of Firefox.

Have never seen an unapproved Firefox add-on, but I will tell you when I see one.

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All Replies (14)

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Chosen Solution

Approved add-ons have a green + Add to Firefox button.

Add-ons with minimal review have a yellow and black striped + Add to Firefox button.

Add-ons with a grey button are not compatible with your version of Firefox.

Have never seen an unapproved Firefox add-on, but I will tell you when I see one.

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Thank you ComputerWhiz. That really helps!

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Here is a screenshot a window that opens when you download an add-on from the Mozilla Add-on Centre.

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The Add-on site tests for major problems but you still should check the reviews because sometimes people find uses of their browsing information that they find unacceptable, and if there is a burst of seemingly fake reviews, that can be a warning sign as well.

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If a Extension to be more accurate has been found to have say a privacy issue(s) or bundled with something questionable especially then it tends to show up in the reviews and the tags on right side.

Otherwise if you are not sure then ask.

Addons is not one thing but a word that groups together the separate Extension, Themes (real ones), Plugins, Personas themes(toolbar wallpaper), dictionaries.

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@ComputerWhiz: Thank you for the snapshot. I did notice such a warning, but even for most featured, reviewed add-ons. I guess this is more of a standard warning to any add-on installation in common.

@jscher2000: Thanks for the tip.

@James: Makes sense.

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I recently added my own add-on to Mozilla, but it hasn't been verified yet. I took screenshots of what an add-on not verified looks like.

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@ComputerWhiz: That's more like it. Your screenshots clearly shows what to look for. Thank you very much.

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NOTE: There are not very many add-on that are not verified because it is required to do so. The verification process can take up to 10 days, so until they are verified they display this warning.

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Thank you community for all the good replies to my screen shot approved question. I still wonder which one would most FF users approve of. I keep seeing non approved sites available in so called trusted publications that turn out to be problematic. Unwanted tool bars, unable to temporarily disabled and ads . Someone must have a good feeling as to which ones are good and which ones are stinkers.

Email address removed by moderator

Modified by tanner

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@dano999
The people who review add-ons are volunteers that have gained Mozilla's trust.

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thank you for your reassurance on add ons meeting F.F. approval.

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@dano999
No problem.
That's what I'm here for.