Adblock Plus - is it safe? Why Mozilla doesn't recommended it? I used it in the past some years ago but now I am scary about safety
Dear Community,
I would like to download this extension: https://addons.mozilla.org/pl/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/ I would like to know how it works. If I will install this extension my firefox will be check hashsum for the files of this extension automatically? Or maybe public key of the organization/company who created Adblock Plus extension? How it is work? Can you tell me? I hope that people from Mozilla now read this and can answer for my question. This is very important for me.
Next question is to Adblock Plus extension. I can read this information: "This add-on is not actively monitored for security by Mozilla. Make sure you trust it before installing" so my question is why Mozilla don't recommended this extension? This extension now use 6,678,297 people so this is huge count. It is possible that this extension is not safe and these people now use malicious software? Why on dedicated website for this extension I can't see company name? Why this company is not verified by Mozilla? So my sugestion for people from Mozilla is to change this and check this extension or maybe add some information on website for this extension.
So I should install this extension? My friend use this on Google Chrome and he recommended me this software but I don't know if this is exatcly the same version. Maybe Chrome has verified Adblock Plus software and this is safe but Mozilla didn't verified this and this can be dangerous software because this can be not exactly the same version?
Next question is to adblocker. Why Mozilla can't make their own software to block all annoying ads and due to fight with malware? Example Opera browser have own buil-in adblocker. Why firefox can't do this? Maybe people from Mozilla should do this? This can be helpful because if this can be happen I will be not install any 3rd party software for firefox anymore and I will be safe. Maybe I can send somehow this suggestion to people from Firefox?
I hope that you can help me.
Yours faithfully, Peter
All Replies (16)
Why anybody don't wants to help?
Hi Peter, Mozilla has a Recommended Extensions program, and that involves human review of every update. Regular extensions do not get that level of review, their updates are mostly checked by software. So you need to consider other factors in deciding whether you trust them. (I don't know why Adblock Plus is not in the Recommended Extensions program.)
I know that Firefox have recommendation program but you didn't answer how works installation process of the extension in firefox. Firefox use GPG program to check hashsum file of extension?
Recommendation program it is not mean that program is safe. I heard for example that some users had problems with uBlock Origin but this is recommended program for firefox.
Anyone know what Adblock Plus don't have recommendation and how works installation process?
The extension XPI file contains a folder with digital signature files, and presumably a hash. If I modify any of the script files in the XPI then the signature verification will fail.
For question about add-on review, you can contact the team that runs the Add-ons site on the following forum: https://discourse.mozilla.org/c/add-ons/addons-mozilla-org
Why on discourse and not on support.mozilla.org website we can talk about extensions? Why people from Mozilla don't read subjects on support.mozilla.org? This don't have sense.
I created topic on discourse mozilla org but I still don't have answer for my questions. I must know what work installation process (if hashsum/checksum are verified) and if Adblock Plus from mozilla org is safe software and if it is official software from Eyeo gmbh ?
Modified by Peter
Hi Peter, I don't have any new information about a hash/checksum other than what I mentioned before:
jscher2000 said
The extension XPI file contains a folder with digital signature files, and presumably a hash. If I modify any of the script files in the XPI then the signature verification will fail.
@jscher2000 what adblocker do you personally use? uBlock? or Adblock Plus? Can you tell me?
Hi Peter, I use uBlock Origin on Firefox for Android. On desktop, I don't use an extension specifically for ad blocking, I use NoScript since I've gotten it pretty well trained after several years. Unless you are paranoid, I am not recommending NoScript.
hello peter,
i dont use ad blockers.
ads are vital for the people that provide free webpages to read, enjoy and explore
take care.
Now I use more than one browser and I have some extension but still I don't know why Mozilla doesn't recommend Adblock Plus extension. This is very strange.
you asked, so we provided you with out thoughts based on our personal experiences.
but you're certainly 100% free to install whatever you like.
- -)
See also this other thread about ad-blockers:
- [/questions/1327911] Adblock Plus - is it safe? Why Mozilla doesn't recommended it? I used it in the past some years ago but now I am scary about safety
@cor-el you mentioned my subject. I don't undersatnd you.
I still prefer firefox and this is my favourite browser. It have a lot of troubles but I used it from so many years so I can't leave it.
I must only know if Adblock Plus extension on mozilla addons website is directly from eyeo developers. On this mozilla org website I can't find information that this is it.
Modified by Peter
Oops, that should have been your other thread and not this thread:
- /questions/1331151 Firefox suggestion to make built in Adblocker like in Opera browser
@cor-el I maked two threads because this second thread what you mentioned was my suggestion to Mozilla Devlopers and make own ad-blocker. This subject wasn't for Adblock Plus extension.
Now I now that you will not make your own extension. I only suggest to make icon in addons website to proof that software is from developer. This icon will be not inform that extension is safe. Only information that this was verified that this comes from extension developer. This is my new suggestion for Mozilla Developers.
Modified by Peter