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FireFox maybe more secure than the other browsers, but it's not the safe powerhouse it used to be ...

portnola
portnola
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This is not a case study of 1, or a matter of opinion, I run an IT company with over 25 macs- all different versions of OS X and most of them with the latest version of FireFox + Adblock Plus.

While I cannot recall one instance that a malicious website changed the FireFox homepage, there were several instances of Safari being Hijacked as a result of a FireFox pop-up or automatic download. I can't remember the name, but these extensions self downloaded/installed went to the mac Shared Folder and completely took over Safari.

The big one is the pop-ups... FireFox used to be 99% on blocking pop-ups, but now it's like 75%. I have even disabled the setting for "Allow Acceptable Ads" but sites like the Pirate Bay EASILY circumvent the FireFox popup blocker with pop-unders and they've been getting away with it FOR YEARS and no resolve from Mozilla.

Is there nothing that can be done? Is there another browser that stops the popups and automatic downloads?

This is not a case study of 1, or a matter of opinion, I run an IT company with over 25 macs- all different versions of OS X and most of them with the latest version of FireFox + Adblock Plus. While I cannot recall one instance that a malicious website changed the FireFox homepage, there were several instances of Safari being Hijacked as a result of a FireFox pop-up or automatic download. I can't remember the name, but these extensions self downloaded/installed went to the mac Shared Folder and completely took over Safari. The big one is the pop-ups... FireFox used to be 99% on blocking pop-ups, but now it's like 75%. I have even disabled the setting for "Allow Acceptable Ads" but sites like the Pirate Bay EASILY circumvent the FireFox popup blocker with pop-unders and they've been getting away with it FOR YEARS and no resolve from Mozilla. Is there nothing that can be done? Is there another browser that stops the popups and automatic downloads?

All Replies (2)

binaryninja
binaryninja
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Actually there is no browser or add-on that can guarantee it can block 100% pop ups. Well, you have to venture to the outer rings of the internet to find places that are sneaking through pop-ups, but as someone who likes the outer rings, I know what you mean.

It’s just a matter of writing filters for the offending sites in most cases, so it’s not so much on the ad blockers as it is on the filter list moderators (they moderate the filters lots of blockers employ).

So if you see one, report it on a forum, like these , or email the authors directly: http://easylist.subscription@gmail.com

Free isn’t free.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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portnola said

...there were several instances of Safari being Hijacked as a result of a FireFox pop-up or automatic download. I can't remember the name, but these extensions self downloaded/installed went to the mac Shared Folder and completely took over Safari.

I don't understand how a self-download is possible. Do you have notes on what was installed?