Compare Revisions
Why does Mozilla disable some add-ons from running in Firefox?
Revision 210873:
Revision 210873 by AliceWyman on
Revision 222479:
Revision 222479 by ihor_ck on
Keywords:
blacklist
blacklist, block, blocking
Search results summary:
Blocklisting (or blocking) is done as a last resort to protect Firefox users from unsafe add-ons. Learn what to do if an add-on is blocked.
Add-ons that violate Mozilla's Add-on Policies or jeopardize user safety and privacy may be blocked from running in Firefox.
Content:
Blocklisting (or blocking) is an action of last resort taken to protect Firefox users against [[Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox|add-ons]] (extensions, themes and plugins) that violate [https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/Add-on_guidelines Mozilla's add-on guidelines].
__TOC__
= What does the blocklist do? =
Once a block is implemented, Firefox will block the unsafe add-on from loading.
Blocks can be issued at varying levels depending on the severity of issues found.
* ''Soft blocks'' disable an extension by default, but allow you to override and continue to use the add-on. Soft blocks are issued for non-malicious add-ons.
* ''Hard blocks'' disable an add-on and do not allow you to enable it or override the block. Hard blocks are used when add-ons are found to be malicious.
* ''Click-to-activate blocks'' disable a plugin by default, but allow you to enable the plugin for particular sites. This type of block is issued for non-malicious plugins.
== How will I know if an add-on is blocked? ==
You will see a notification from Firefox with the following message:
{note}Firefox has determined that the following add-ons are known to cause stability or security problems{/note}
{for mac}<br>[[Image:Add-ons Blocklist Mac1]]<br><br>{/for}
To prevent these add-ons from running, click {button Restart Firefox}.
If the add-on has been hard blocked, you will not be able to override the block.
== Can I install an add-on after it has been blocked? ==
Once an add-on has been blocklisted, it will not appear in the gallery of [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org] until the developer uploads a new version that addresses all issues that resulted in the block request.
Additionally, Firefox will prevent you from installing an unsafe add-on that is on the blocklist by displaying this message:
{note}The add-on ''name'' could not be installed because it has a high risk of causing stability or security problems.{/note}
If you were blocked from installing an add-on, check to see if there is an updated version of the add-on you were trying to install. Please be aware that some blocks may be permanent and you may need to find an alternative add-on.
== Adobe Flash plugin ==
[[Template:flashEOLdesktop]]
{for not fx69}
Firefox can prevent the Adobe Flash plugin from running automatically (which prevents many issues). When Firefox blocks the plugin, you'll see a message similar to this:
;[[Image:Click to play 1 new]]
You can then choose to run the plugin or update it (if an update is available). To learn more, see [[Why do I have to click to activate plugins?]]
{/for}
{for fx69}
Firefox does not allow the Adobe Flash plugin to run automatically, which prevents many issues. If a website uses it, you'll see a prompt to run the Adobe Flash plugin. You can then choose to run the plugin.
;[[Image:activate_flash_58|width=300]]
To learn more, see [[Why do I have to click to activate plugins?]]
{/for}
= What to do if you see a blocklist notification =
== If the installed add-on is disabled ==
Accept the notification and restart Firefox. If you choose to override a soft block, you do so at your own risk.
= Can blocks be lifted? =
Depending on the severity of the violation, the history of the developer, and other relevant factors, some blocks may be lifted once the developer uploads a new approved version. If that happens, users who had previously downloaded the add-on will immediately be able to use it again once its listing goes live again on [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org].
{note}To make sure you are always using the most up-to-date version of an add-on (extension or theme):
# [[T:Open Add-ons|type=Extensions]]
# Click on the settings icon [[Image:Add-on Tools Icon]] and make sure that the {menu Update Add-ons Automatically} menu item is checked.{/note}
= What unsafe add-ons are on the blocklist? =
See the '''[https://blocked.cdn.mozilla.net/ list of blocked add-ons]'''.
When Mozilla becomes aware of add-ons that violate our Add-on Policies and jeopardize user safety or privacy, or that otherwise go against user expectations, we may take steps to block them from running in Firefox.
__TOC__
= Why does Mozilla block some add-ons from running in Firefox? =
While most add-ons are created with the best intent to provide useful and delightful features, they can also be used to compromise personal data and security.
When we become aware of add-ons that pose a risk to your security and privacy according to our [https://extensionworkshop.com/documentation/publish/add-on-policies?utm_source=support.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=add-on-blocking Add-on Policies], we take steps to prevent them from running in Firefox. Add-ons may be blocked proactively because they violate our policies, or in response to an abuse report.
For more information, please read the [https://extensionworkshop.com/documentation/publish/add-ons-blocking-process?utm_source=support.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=add-on-blocking Add-on Blocking Process] article on [https://extensionworkshop.com?utm_source=support.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=add-on-blocking Firefox Extension Workshop].
= How does add-on blocking work? =
Once a block is implemented, Firefox will disable the add-on and you will not be able to override the block. Blocked add-ons cannot access your browsing activities or deliver malware.
For more technical information about how blocking works, please read [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2020/08/24/introducing-a-scalable-add-ons-blocklist/ Introducing a scalable add-ons blocklist] on the [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/ Add-ons Blog].
= How will I know if an add-on is blocked? =
If you suspect you have installed an add-on that has been blocked, you can verify its status by going to the Firefox Add-ons Manager.
# Click the menu button [[Image:Fx57Menu]] and choose {for not fx88}{menu Add-ons}{/for}{for fx88}{menu Add-ons and Themes}{/for}. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
# Select the {for not fx85}{menu Extensions}{/for}{for fx85}{menu Extensions}{/for} panel.
Any blocked extensions will appear in the “Disabled” section. They will display a label that explains the extension has been disabled due to security or stability issues.
[[Image:Blocked Add-on - Add-ons Manager]]
= I see a blocked add-on in my Add-ons Manager. What should I do? =
You do not need to take any action if you see a blocked add-on in your Add-ons Manager. The add-on is disabled and cannot access your activities or deliver other malware. If you would prefer, you can now safely [[Disable or remove Add-ons|remove it]].
Since some malicious add-ons gather and sell data collected from their users, you may want to check [[Firefox Monitor|Firefox Monitor]] to see if your personal information was exposed in a breach.
= Can I install an add-on after it has been blocked? =
Once an add-on has been blocked, Firefox will prevent you from installing it. You will see this notification:
[[Image:Notification - Add-on is blocked and cannot be installed]]
= Can blocks be lifted? =
Depending on the severity of the violation, the abuse history of the developer, and other relevant factors, some blocks may be lifted once the developer uploads a new version that is approved by Mozilla. If that happens, users who had previously downloaded the add-on will immediately be able to use it again once the add-on has been updated to the latest approved version.
To make sure you are always using the most up-to-date version of an add-on (extension or theme):
# [[T:Open Add-ons|type=Extensions]]
# Click on the settings icon [[Image:Add-on Tools Icon]] and make sure that the {menu Update Add-ons Automatically} menu item is checked.
= How can I find a replacement for a blocked add-on? =
You can look for a replacement on [https://addons.mozilla.org?utm_source=support.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=add-on-blocking addons.mozilla.org], Mozilla’s official directory of add-ons. We suggest browsing the [[Recommended Extensions program|Recommended Extensions program]] to find add-ons that meet our highest standards of security, functionality, and user experience.