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.

ابحث في الدعم

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

What does the use default mean in the firefox permission area?

more options

Im just now setting up my Firefox with the security it has to offer. But I am confused with the plug ins that are asked for me to under the page info, permissions tab to choose whether to use default, always ask, allow or block. What is the default mean? Isnt that unsafe especially if I am a novice with technology? Im very confused. Please help?

Im just now setting up my Firefox with the security it has to offer. But I am confused with the plug ins that are asked for me to under the page info, permissions tab to choose whether to use default, always ask, allow or block. What is the default mean? Isnt that unsafe especially if I am a novice with technology? Im very confused. Please help?

الحل المُختار

The "default" setting is the general setting. For example, you can set most plugins to have three different permissions:

  • Always Activate - all sites are allowed to use the plugin automatically
  • Ask to Activate - Firefox displays a notification to you so you can decide whether a particular site can use a plugin
  • Never Activate - Firefox hides the plugin from sites, they do not even know you have it installed

These permissions are set on the Add-ons page, either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Your list of installed plugins is on the right. Ones that were previously set to Never Activate sort to the bottom.

When you review the plugins in the Permissions panel for a specific website, you can give the site more or less permissions than you see on the Add-ons page.

The panel works similarly for other permissions, such as setting cookies. But rather than write an essay, please let us know what other questions you have.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (1)

more options

الحل المُختار

The "default" setting is the general setting. For example, you can set most plugins to have three different permissions:

  • Always Activate - all sites are allowed to use the plugin automatically
  • Ask to Activate - Firefox displays a notification to you so you can decide whether a particular site can use a plugin
  • Never Activate - Firefox hides the plugin from sites, they do not even know you have it installed

These permissions are set on the Add-ons page, either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Plugins. Your list of installed plugins is on the right. Ones that were previously set to Never Activate sort to the bottom.

When you review the plugins in the Permissions panel for a specific website, you can give the site more or less permissions than you see on the Add-ons page.

The panel works similarly for other permissions, such as setting cookies. But rather than write an essay, please let us know what other questions you have.