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Ghostery addon causes 100% CPU load on one core for a few seconds for each hyperlink clicked.

  • 3 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by petitlou60

CiPHER
CiPHER
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For many months now, and with several versions of Firefox and firefox profiles, enabling the Ghostery addon causes each hyperlink clicked to have a 2 second pause. In task manager i can see 25% cpu usage, which equals 100% CPU load on my quadcore cpu.

If i disable Ghostery and restart Firefox, all problems disappear. So i either have the choice between a slow browser, or privacy-enabled browsing. Both are unacceptable.

I can find no one with this problem; is it just me?

For many months now, and with several versions of Firefox and firefox profiles, enabling the Ghostery addon causes each hyperlink clicked to have a 2 second pause. In task manager i can see 25% cpu usage, which equals 100% CPU load on my quadcore cpu. If i disable Ghostery and restart Firefox, all problems disappear. So i either have the choice between a slow browser, or privacy-enabled browsing. Both are unacceptable. I can find no one with this problem; is it just me?

Chosen solution

I haven't used Ghostery but I'm guessing it might be preloading the page and inspecting it and possibly breaking the URLs to protect you before displaying it. Perhaps if you adjust the settings so that it does less, you can balance the performance and privacy objectives?

I noticed this on their support site today: https://getsatisfaction.com/ghostery/topics/your_script_becomes_unresponsive_raising_hell_with_firefox

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All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

I haven't used Ghostery but I'm guessing it might be preloading the page and inspecting it and possibly breaking the URLs to protect you before displaying it. Perhaps if you adjust the settings so that it does less, you can balance the performance and privacy objectives?

I noticed this on their support site today: https://getsatisfaction.com/ghostery/topics/your_script_becomes_unresponsive_raising_hell_with_firefox

CiPHER
CiPHER Question owner
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Thank you very much for your response, jscher2000!

And it was very helpful. Not sure why i didn't try this before.

The solution: on the Ghostery Options (button on the Addons page) i selected the Advanced tab and unchecked the "Scan and block images" option. Just disabling this option fixed the speed issues for me.

I am just hoping i am not compromising any privacy protection Ghostery offers because of this, but i am glad i have an option between disabling Ghostery altogether or just live with the slowness.

Thank you again, sir!

petitlou60
petitlou60
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hello,

Ghostery works perfectly , but locking trackers disable avertising actions and revenues , so advertisers make changes to disable sites functions

typical example: block google ajax search api disable search function on many sites

So i think for a cool surfing you must uninstall ghostery. addblock plus is sufficient