When Mozilla becomes aware of add-ons that violate our Add-on Policies and jeopardize user safety or privacy, or that otherwise go against user expectations, we may take steps to block them from running in Firefox.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why does Mozilla block some add-ons from running in Firefox?
- 2 How does add-on blocking work?
- 3 How will I know if an add-on is blocked?
- 4 I see a blocked add-on in my Add-ons Manager. What should I do?
- 5 Can I install an add-on after it has been blocked?
- 6 Can blocks be lifted?
- 7 How can I find a replacement for a blocked add-on?
Why does Mozilla block some add-ons from running in Firefox?
While most add-ons are created with the best intent to provide useful and delightful features, they can also be used to compromise personal data and security.
When we become aware of add-ons that pose a risk to your security and privacy according to our Add-on Policies, we take steps to prevent them from running in Firefox. Add-ons may be blocked proactively because they violate our policies, or in response to an abuse report.
For more information, please read the Add-on Blocking Process article on Firefox Extension Workshop.
How does add-on blocking work?
Once a block is implemented, Firefox will disable the add-on and you will not be able to override the block. Blocked add-ons cannot access your browsing activities or deliver malware.
For more technical information about how blocking works, please read Introducing a scalable add-ons blocklist on the Add-ons Blog.
How will I know if an add-on is blocked?
If you suspect you have installed an add-on that has been blocked, you can verify its status by going to the Firefox Add-ons Manager.
Click the menu button , click and select .
Any blocked extensions will appear in the “Disabled” section. They will display a label that explains the extension has been disabled due to security or stability issues.
I see a blocked add-on in my Add-ons Manager. What should I do?
You do not need to take any action if you see a blocked add-on in your Add-ons Manager. The add-on is disabled and cannot access your activities or deliver other malware. If you would prefer, you can now safely remove it.
Since some malicious add-ons gather and sell data collected from their users, you may want to check Mozilla Monitor to see if your personal information was exposed in a breach.
Can I install an add-on after it has been blocked?
Once an add-on has been blocked, Firefox will prevent you from installing it. You will see this notification:
Can blocks be lifted?
Depending on the severity of the violation, the abuse history of the developer, and other relevant factors, some blocks may be lifted once the developer uploads a new version that is approved by Mozilla. If that happens, users who had previously downloaded the add-on will immediately be able to use it again once the add-on has been updated to the latest approved version.
To make sure you are always using the most up-to-date version of an add-on (extension or theme):
- Click the menu button
, click and select .
- Click on the settings icon
and make sure that the menu item is checked.
How can I find a replacement for a blocked add-on?
You can look for a replacement on addons.mozilla.org, Mozilla’s official directory of add-ons. We suggest browsing the Recommended Extensions program to find add-ons that meet our highest standards of security, functionality, and user experience.