To better protect your privacy and security, Firefox includes permissions that control whether websites can access apps and services on your local network and local device. This change stops websites from exploiting them without your knowledge.

Why is Firefox adding these permissions

Websites can attempt to access your personal device—such as your computer, or local network—such as routers, printers, and local web servers—without your permission. Malicious sites have used these capabilities to track you or scan for vulnerable devices.

To keep you safe and help you stay in control of your data and devices, Firefox now asks for your permission when a site tries to connect to your device or local network.

What to expect when a site requests access

When a website tries to access your device or local network, Firefox will display a permission prompt similar to those for accessing your camera or microphone.

You can choose to:

• Allow access for that visit
• Block access for that visit

You can also choose to have Firefox remember your decision for all future visits. You can change it anytime in Settings.

What is considered ”device apps and services”?

"Device apps and services" are your personal computer and all the applications installed on it.

What is considered a "local network device"?

Local network devices are any hardware connected to the same local network as your device. This includes:

• Routers
• Printers
• File servers
• Smart TVs
• Media streamers
• IoT (Internet of Things) devices

Accessing these devices over the network could allow websites to interact with or retrieve data from them. A permission check helps prevent sites from doing so without your knowledge.

Manage access permissions to your device and local network

When a site tries to access other apps and services on your device or your local network, Firefox will show a permission prompt near the address bar, asking you to allow permission.

For Device apps and services, the prompt looks like this:

For Local network devices, the prompt looks like this:

Configure access permissions

1. Click the menu button (☰) and select Settings.
2. Go to the Privacy & Security panel.
3. Scroll down to the Permissions section.
4. Find Device apps and services, and click Settings…
5. Here you’ll see a list of sites that have requested this permission.
6. Use the dropdown menu next to each site to change access.
7. Find Local network devices, click Settings, and repeat steps 5-6.

For Device apps and services, the prompt looks like this:

For Local network devices, the prompt looks like this:

Related articles

Site Permissions panel
Manage optional permissions for Firefox extensions
How to manage your camera and microphone permissions with Firefox