Need to Identify any changes made by a third party website to my browser
Please advise how to determine any changes that may have been made to my Firefox browser on a specific day by a third party website. I'm not sure, but am suspicious.
I would hope there is a way to identify any changes or updates by date.
Thank you.
Chosen solution
Hi COLS, websites cannot directly make changes to your browser. But here are some things to consider:
(1) If you gave the site permission to show notifications or use your camera, etc., you can go through the Permissions section of the Options page and remove those exceptions. As an example, see: How to manage your camera and microphone permissions with Firefox.
(2) If the site pushed an add-on for you to install, you can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return
In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading. (If you don't have this heading, you probably don't have any extensions installed.)
Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.
(3) If the site pushed a file for download, it should appear in your Download history. You can access that by pressing Ctrl+j, or through the menu button > Library, or through the Library toolbar button.
If you ran a software installer or opened an untrusted document: you may want to scan for malware. This support article lists good tools to supplement your regular security software: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.
(4) If a site popped up a warning about viruses with a toll free number to call, that's usually BS and a scam to sell you support services. If you engaged with that company and allowed them any kind of access to your system, see #3 above.
(5) If the site didn't make changes to your browser or computer but asked for account information for another site, it may have been a "phishing" attempt. If you think a site might have sneakily stolen a password for an important account, make sure to change the password -- through a trusted address -- ASAP.
Does that cover it, is there anything else you are concerned the site might have done?
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Chosen Solution
Hi COLS, websites cannot directly make changes to your browser. But here are some things to consider:
(1) If you gave the site permission to show notifications or use your camera, etc., you can go through the Permissions section of the Options page and remove those exceptions. As an example, see: How to manage your camera and microphone permissions with Firefox.
(2) If the site pushed an add-on for you to install, you can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return
In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading. (If you don't have this heading, you probably don't have any extensions installed.)
Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.
(3) If the site pushed a file for download, it should appear in your Download history. You can access that by pressing Ctrl+j, or through the menu button > Library, or through the Library toolbar button.
If you ran a software installer or opened an untrusted document: you may want to scan for malware. This support article lists good tools to supplement your regular security software: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware.
(4) If a site popped up a warning about viruses with a toll free number to call, that's usually BS and a scam to sell you support services. If you engaged with that company and allowed them any kind of access to your system, see #3 above.
(5) If the site didn't make changes to your browser or computer but asked for account information for another site, it may have been a "phishing" attempt. If you think a site might have sneakily stolen a password for an important account, make sure to change the password -- through a trusted address -- ASAP.
Does that cover it, is there anything else you are concerned the site might have done?