This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Hierdie gesprek is in die argief. Vra asseblief 'n nuwe vraag as jy hulp nodig het.

How did the extension "Blocksite" download and install in my Firefox browser without my permission?

  • 2 antwoorde
  • 1 het hierdie probleem
  • 5 views
  • Laaste antwoord deur cor-el

apple10
apple10
more options

While using the Firefox browser I was suddenly taken to the Blocksite website, which had a message saying "thankyou" for installing the Blocksite extension. When I looked at my list of extensions I could see the Blocksite extension had been installed.

I did not install it! How did it get there?

While using the Firefox browser I was suddenly taken to the Blocksite website, which had a message saying "thankyou" for installing the Blocksite extension. When I looked at my list of extensions I could see the Blocksite extension had been installed. I did not install it! How did it get there?

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

That's hard to explain!

One possibility is that it was dropped in a shared folder or added to a registry key that Firefox monitors for externally installed extensions. In those cases, the "Remove" button is usually missing from the Extensions list on the Add-ons page.

Another possibility is that you installed a different extension and it somehow installed this one (which should not be allowed; definitely bad behavior).

A third possibility is that a script in a site you were visiting triggered it, but if you have the standard setting of restricting sites from installing add-ons, then that should have been blocked.

Do you share your computer with anyone?

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

You can find the install location of a specific extension in the extensions.json file in the profile folder.

You can open the extensions.json file in the profile folder in the Scratchpad and search for this extension.

  • click the "Pretty Print" button to format the file for readability.

The descriptor field should list its install location.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.