Firefox

Dinkas · 25 Jan 2011 at 01:22

Why does Firebox allow useless crap companies like MS to install plugins that are considered security risks? Today windows update has added a ton of junk to my Firefox, all of it completely unwanted and none of it installed with my consent.

MS go die in a fire you scum.

Mozilla update your browser to stop automatic plugin installation without user consent.

What a state of affairs.

mrk · 25 Jan 2011 at 01:43

A+ Would read again.

FYI, the plugins are often related to Office document support, since you don't really explain what the issue is other than flapping your lipstick about the place and colouring an unpretty picture of a more than probably safe situation it's hard to tell.

This is my plugin listing of FF 3.6:

BlackBat · 25 Jan 2011 at 02:23

Not had this problem myself. On a more serious note, why am I tempted to steal your sig. Khaaan!, then change it to "Khan touch this." Mmmm must resist...

Biohazard · 25 Jan 2011 at 02:52

I'll go for 'touch this khan' if you don't mind

MikeHunt79 · 25 Jan 2011 at 05:02

May I suggest Iron? It only uses Extensions, and no Plug-ins are needed.

Dinkas · 25 Jan 2011 at 05:26

Khaaan! said:
A+ Would read again.

FYI, the plugins are often related to Office document support, since you don't really explain what the issue is other than flapping your lipstick about the place and colouring an unpretty picture of a more than probably safe situation it's hard to tell.

The 2 updates I was ranting about pertain to MS Silverlight and Windows Search. I don't have Office.

The Silverlight one was labelled "Security Update". These are good things, right? Oh hang on, I didn't even have Silverlight installed. But this so called security update installed it. 10mins after uninstalling Silverlight this appeared in Windows Update again.

As for Windows Search update, where does that suggest Bing Toolbar plugin for Firefox? Again, a misleading update to push MS crapware on people innocently believing that Windows Update should be safe, not a vector for infection.

The reason I don't want MS's crap plugins in Firefox, especially since they trick people into installing them, is explained here: http://www.osnews.com/story/22358/Silent_Install_Firefox_Plugin_Backfires_on_Microsoft. Unless you specifically need MS plugins, I can think of NO SANE REASON to install them.

Dinkas · 25 Jan 2011 at 05:59

MikeHunt79 said:
May I suggest Iron? It only uses Extensions, and no Plug-ins are needed.

What is Iron and does it have noscript?

MikeHunt79 · 25 Jan 2011 at 06:29

Dinkas said:
What is Iron and does it have noscript?

http://www.srware.net/en/software_srware_iron.php

It's similar to Chrome, but it protects your privacy far better than Chrome.

I'm not sure if it has noscript as I don't use noscript myself, but most Chrome extensions work with Iron.

mrk · 25 Jan 2011 at 09:21

No it doesn't, in Chrome you can turn off these so called privacy features but the "features" noted on Iron's website are iffy at best because none of those are security flaws to begin with. We've been through this in numerous threads before.

Most of the disabled Iron stuff is useful anyway like making sure the Chrome installed came from a legit source, making sure error pages for incorrect URLs deliver a suitable error message and others for phishing and so on.

IMO Iron is more for the paranoid than anything else.

Op,
Well Windows search is something you installed. It will not install unless you install it via Windows Update or if you're not monitoring what automatic updates on WU is installing.

Likewise, Silverlight.

Neither are security risks.