Can websites read the copy buffer? What other non-browser details can they see?
I have to say I am in a state of shock right now!
I just visited a website which told me that it had put something into my copy buffer!
I consider that an EXTREME intrusion! My copy buffer is personal! What if I had something important in it? Half the time, I do.
I then naturally started to wonder if a website can READ what is in my buffer, and from what I've read I'm starting to think it might be possible.
I consider that a GROSS violation of privacy and do not know how a security-conscious program like Firefox could possibly allow this.
This means that every time I log into one website - other websites can potentially read the password in the buffer! Or they can read personal messages I have written. Or what if I copied part of a very personal and private photo?
Please, I must know how I can ABSOLUTELY turn this off FOREVER. It is EXTREMELY creepy and I feel quite violated. My copy buffer is supposed to be PRIVATE!
I also want to ask... other than the copy buffer, are there ANY OTHER non-browser features that websites are able to see? For example, can websites look in my folders? See my desktop wallpaper? Do they know the name of my computer? Obviously, one would assume not, but this bombshell has really shocked me to the core!
It seems that every time I've copied a URL, or a password, or made some personal notes and copied them to another text document - any websites running in Firefox could potentially have been reading it!?
Modified by MartyJames
All Replies (3)
Hi, you say security-conscious program and Firefox is. But Firefox is a Browser not a Security Program. If you want better Security get a better A/V & Firewall along with a good Anti-Malware Program to run along side. There is also a program called WInPatrol.com and it will notify you most times that something wants to alter a file. Firefox makes available for download/install Developers Extensions https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/ and some of those are Security Related and put out by Reputable Companies.
So this is not a Firefox issue but a Security Issue and a OS issue as you can lock things down tighter within Windows itself.
For further help with your OS Win & please post in one of these great forums :
As do not know what security software you are using you will need to browse and post in it's forum yourself.
Thank You for Contacting Firefox Support
Update:
Something DEEPLY disturbing has just happened to me now. I was writing a message on a website called Trello. I went to a document to copy some text, then went back to Trello to paste the text into the message. BUT instead of pasting the TEXT into the text box, something UNTHINKABLE happened. Trello inexplicably began UPLOADING A FILE from my computer - without ANY prompting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a file I had copied and pasted earlier.
This incident has DEEPLY DISTURBED ME. How can a web browser possibly have access to my files unless I specifically select a file through an Explorer prompt?
PLEASE can I have a serious reply to this? This is an EXTREMELY SERIOUS ISSUE.
Pkshadow, I appreciate your help but I think you are totally missing the point. I shouldn't need to have security software to prevent websites from reading my copy buffer. They simply should not EVER be allowed to read my copy buffer. As far as I'm concerned, any web browser that allows sites to read the copy buffer is violating the user's privacy.
Again. upgrade your Firewall as this would be prevented by the port being blocked so it can not be read. It has nothing to do with Firefox other than you have it open and are working with it.
Please use more than 1 scanner as each uses diff tech :
Save your Report and google each before deleting anything as do not want to delete something you need, If need help :
Post in only 1 forum, then wait.
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.