Why are some add-ons not allowed on sites restricted by Mozilla?

Firefox Firefox Last updated: 60% of users voted this helpful

Mozilla maintains an open system for add-ons, which gives developers many choices in how they create, use, and deploy their work. This same openness also provides malicious actors more opportunities as well. While Mozilla can identify and block malicious add-ons discovered through tooling, reviews, or user reports, this is not always enough.

Fx115ExtensionsPanelQuarantinedDomainWarning

Fx116ExtensionsPanelQuarantinedDomainWarning

Firefox version 115 introduced Quarantined Domains to protect user privacy and security when we discover significant security issues presented by malicious actors. This feature allows us to prevent attacks by malicious actors targeting specific domains when we have reason to believe there may be malicious add-ons we have not yet discovered. A warning message that Some extensions are not allowed will notify you when this occurs, as shown above for an add-on listed in the extensions panel opened from the Firefox toolbar.

Users can also control this behavior for each extension in the Add-ons Manager (about:addons) starting with Firefox version 116. We will be further improving the UI for users in future releases.

How can I re-enable the add-ons that are not allowed on sites restricted by Mozilla?

We understand that installing add-ons is a user choice and, as with your security, we also take this matter very seriously. If you are aware of the associated risk and still wish to allow add-ons disallowed on a site by Mozilla, you can do so from the Configuration Editor (about:config page):

Warning: These instructions are for experienced Firefox users. Changing settings in the Configuration Editor (about:config) can have serious effects on your browser’s stability, security and performance.
Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced settings and understand the potential impacts.

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. Search for the extensions.quarantinedDomains.enabled preference.
    • If this preference does not yet exist, the options to add it will show up. Select the Boolean type and click the + button to create it.
  3. Click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton button next to this preference to change its value to false.
  4. Restart Firefox.

We understand that installing add-ons is a user choice and, as with your security, we also take this matter very seriously. If you are aware of the associated risk and still wish to allow an add-on that has been disallowed on a site by Mozilla, you can do it from the Add-ons Manager settings:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton, click Add-ons and themes and select Extensions.
  2. Click the extension you want to enable on sites with restrictions.
  3. Select the Allow option in the section Run on sites with restrictions.

Add-on Manager - Run on sites with restrictions

Alternatively, you can disable the entire protection from the Configuration Editor (about:config page):

Warning: These instructions are for experienced Firefox users. Changing settings in the Configuration Editor (about:config) can have serious effects on your browser’s stability, security and performance.
Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced settings and understand the potential impacts.

  1. Type about:config in the address bar and press EnterReturn.
    A warning page may appear. Click Accept the Risk and Continue to go to the about:config page.
  2. Search for the extensions.quarantinedDomains.enabled preference.
    • If this preference does not yet exist, the options to add it will show up. Select the Boolean type and click the + button to create it.
  3. Click the Toggle Fx71aboutconfig-ToggleButton button next to this preference to change its value to false.
  4. Restart Firefox.

Was this article helpful?

Please wait...

These fine people helped write this article:

Illustration of hands

Volunteer

Grow and share your expertise with others. Answer questions and improve our knowledge base.

Learn More