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private browsing session security

When accessing important accounts on websites, like financial websites, I've always heard you should close your browser when you're done with the secure website. If you … (read more)

When accessing important accounts on websites, like financial websites, I've always heard you should close your browser when you're done with the secure website. If you log on in a PRIVATE window and close the private window afterword but leave the main FireFox window open, is that the same thing? I think it is and the private window will delete any login or activity info as if you closed the browser, I just want to confirm with someone more knowledgeable before I make a bad assumption. It also seems to have the added benefit of deleting anything you might download and save elsewhere from the download folder so you don't have to delete it from the DL folder and then the recycle bin. Seems like it's good practice to use the private window this way. Again, just looking for a 2nd opinion.

Thanks,

Asked by patrick muldoon 4 days ago

Answered by Denys 4 days ago

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Why should I continue to use/support Firefox?

I am just burned out with Firefox and not sure why I should continue to use it instead of some fork or Chromium-based browser. It seems like every update brings some new… (read more)

I am just burned out with Firefox and not sure why I should continue to use it instead of some fork or Chromium-based browser.

It seems like every update brings some new GenAI/LLM component that is auto-enabled and difficult to disable. I do not want GenAI/LLMs in my web browser. I have dropped nearly every other application or software that has forced it on me and included it in their product. I feel like I'm trying manage a Windows system having to follow blogs to debloat, restore privacy, and restore security. GenAI/LLMs shouldn't be in my web browser. And, they should be opt-in, not opt-out in some confusing mix of GUI and about:config madness. If GenAI/LLM is so great, then make it an extension or a fork then let those folks use it from there. Don't bake it into the web browser.

I continue to use Firefox for uBlock Origin but I guess that would be possible with a Firefox-fork. However, I am just tired of having to continuously manage my Firefox browser and battle websites that only support Chromium-based browsers. If Firefox actually seemed intent on improving security and privacy then I could find the motivation but this GenAI/LLM nonsense seems the point of no return.

On my Android phone, I've switched to a Chromium-based browser given the poor state of security and hardening for the vanilla Firefox. I keep IronFox on hand but it is just easier to surf the web with a Chromium-based browser due to many websites just working better. Why should I deal with the pain and frustration of limited Firefox support when Firefox isn't even keeping up with security hardening?

As for desktop, the Firefox browser just doesn't seem as snappy or stable as I would expect. Firefox for Linux is still not supported for Slack Huddles. How is it 2026 and Mozilla/Firefox are still not fully functional with one of the major business chat platforms? Yes, I know this primarily a Slack and AWS-Chime-SDK problem but it is also a Firefox problem because there isn't much that a user can do. I've tried to prod Slack and the AWS teams numerous times to support Firefox but they've just done nothing. I also see nothing being done by the Firefox team, too.

Another example is the EdgeSuite CDN. Nearly always they block my traffic when I use Firefox. Switch to a Chromium-based browser and EdgeSuite is much less likely to block me. This is fairly consistent for the retail and financial institutions I use.

As far as I am aware, many of the security concerns brought up by Madaidan in 2022 still hold true for Firefox today, especially for Android and Linux. If this is no longer true, then it might be good for the Firefox team to post a rebuttal or update clarifying the current state of Firefox. The average users such as myself only see the Madaidan blog post and have to take it at face value. https://madaidans-insecurities.github.io/firefox-chromium.html

Anyway, I don't see a way ahead for me and Firefox but maybe you can convince me. It just seems like Firefox and Mozilla have lost their way. They no longer seem focused on security and privacy. Instead they're forcing privacy, security, and system resource disasters onto their userbases, just like Microsoft, Google, and every one of the major tech firms. I just don't see why I should use, promote, and even support Firefox going into 2026.

Asked by Moz_User_102 6 days ago

Answered by Moz_User_102 5 days ago

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Firefox

Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to myccp.ccp.edu. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, … (read more)

Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to myccp.ccp.edu. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.

Asked by robert.winfield 2 months ago

Answered by Agent virtuel 2 months ago

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system alert

I have received 3 system alerts, all from Mozilla Firefox (I use Firefox as my default browser). 1) System is infected!---click on d45n9f8ko90s738b610.gsx-protect.co.in … (read more)

I have received 3 system alerts, all from Mozilla Firefox (I use Firefox as my default browser). 1) System is infected!---click on d45n9f8ko90s738b610.gsx-protect.co.in 2) ZEUS.2020 Trojan detected--with same directed site 3) System Alert!---with same directed site.

I use McAfee as my security system. They recommend going to Firefox settings and disallowing random site connections. How do I get my system running again.

Latest McAfee scan shows 45 entries deleted and 2 browsers reset

Asked by LouCatalano1 2 months ago

Answered by James 2 months ago

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Firefox prevents opening pop up windows

I have an old Mac desktop computer and use firefox as my browser. I go to hotmail and click on and up comes my inbox. I click on an item but nothing opens. then I get a m… (read more)

I have an old Mac desktop computer and use firefox as my browser. I go to hotmail and click on and up comes my inbox. I click on an item but nothing opens. then I get a message up top saying firefox prevented the opening of one or more pop up windows. I have changed my password with microsoft. That has not improved things.

Asked by smivin 1 month ago

Answered by Mark 1 month ago

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Hiding "The security sandbox is disabled" warning

I've purposefully used the environment variable to disable the security sandbox. How can I acknowledge and hide the persistent warning? Is there any about:config value f… (read more)

I've purposefully used the environment variable to disable the security sandbox.

How can I acknowledge and hide the persistent warning? Is there any about:config value for it?

Thank you!

Asked by Maximiliano 1 month ago

Answered by TyDraniu 1 month ago

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Almost got tricked by a fake captcha

Does Firefox "remember" any browser data from another Windows user account? I created a guest account for someone today and while I was browsing, I got redirected to a si… (read more)

Does Firefox "remember" any browser data from another Windows user account? I created a guest account for someone today and while I was browsing, I got redirected to a site called fy3 dot fit which had the fake captcha. I did not open the run box and did not paste any commands from it, so is the guest account compromised or do I need to nuke Windows and start again? I read on reddit that it's an infostealer but if Firefox does not remember the other user account's browser data, does that mean nothing would be stolen if I did run it?

Asked by Detective Fischer 5 months ago

Answered by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer 5 months ago

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Local intranet http web servers not accessible after Firefox update to newer version

On Windows 10 with 64-bit Firefox, after updating from version 144 to 145, some local HTTP-only servers stopped working and became inaccessible. When I enter http://<l… (read more)

On Windows 10 with 64-bit Firefox, after updating from version 144 to 145, some local HTTP-only servers stopped working and became inaccessible. When I enter http://<local server name>, after a few seconds it automatically changes to https://<local server name>, and since no HTTPS service is running, it ends with a “Server not found” page. It seems to be related to DNS — accessing http://<IP address> works fine.

I tried a clean installation with a new user profile, but it didn’t help. Downgrading to version 144 fixes the problem, but at the cost of losing the user profile (which is a disaster). I also tried to check the HTTP-only settings (which I’ve never modified), but that didn’t help either.

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue?

Asked by lstefek 2 months ago

Answered by lstefek 1 week ago

  • Solved

Warnings of a trojan virus infection keep popping up on my other Windows 11 computer

On my Windows 11 computer messages keep cropping up supportably from Firefox. I have switched the computer off. this is from my old computer. I don't know what to do now.… (read more)

On my Windows 11 computer messages keep cropping up supportably from Firefox. I have switched the computer off. this is from my old computer. I don't know what to do now. Colin

Asked by chollow 3 months ago

Answered by chollow 3 months ago

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AI on Firefox without direct permission

Tonight I was roaming around my Firefox settings looking at something else, when I noticed this AI piece pre-checked. Why is FIREFOX, who is supposed to be for privacy an… (read more)

Tonight I was roaming around my Firefox settings looking at something else, when I noticed this AI piece pre-checked. Why is FIREFOX, who is supposed to be for privacy and security, authorizing an update that automatically choose AI? Not cool Mozilla. Not Cool. Anyone else have this? and yes, I've already fixed it ;-)

Asked by nikeit2010 1 month ago

Last reply by Paul 1 month ago

  • Solved

Attention!!! Click to turn on the antivirus"

Last few days I've been getting this popup: Attention!!! Click to turn on the antivirus or Attention!!! Click to scan the device obviously some phishing or somethi… (read more)

Last few days I've been getting this popup:

Attention!!! Click to turn on the antivirus

or

Attention!!! Click to scan the device

obviously some phishing or something. How can I get rid of it?

Asked by rayandrews 4 months ago

Answered by James 4 months ago

  • Solved

Bug Infection

I have picked up some bug(s) on my Firefox that I cannot figure out how to get rid of. With a Firefox ID I have warnings of 3 Trojan Virus detected, Virus detected, hard … (read more)

I have picked up some bug(s) on my Firefox that I cannot figure out how to get rid of. With a Firefox ID I have warnings of 3 Trojan Virus detected, Virus detected, hard drive infected, secure data notice and system alert. I also got a warning that my McAfee protection had expired which is very strange. Since switching over in 2010 from Windows to Linux I have never had protection of any kind and unlike Windows have never had a single problem. In addition when I was using Windows the protection that I had was never McAfee. I suspect that these warnings are not from Firefox given the misprints, spelling errors and the poor English. It is likely phishing from some third world country. How do I get rid of this obvious garbage permanently? Many thanks! Kris

Asked by circumnavigator15 3 months ago

Answered by James 3 months ago