Hi Prismatic,

Could you please spesify which settings do you mean? Is it related to the following issue? https://support.mozilla.org/uk/questions/970907

I don't believe it's related to that setting. I'm referring to the fact when a download prompt comes up Firefox immediately downloads regardless if I accept or cancel.

Where are you getting these download prompts from ? Are you able to give an example with the site address. Preferably a public site that does not need loving in, so anyone may see the problem.

John99 said

Where are you getting these download prompts from ? Are you able to give an example with the site address. Preferably a public site that does not need loving in, so anyone may see the problem.

Pretty much everything and anything. Any file that is downloaded, regardless of type or MIME, will begin to download/cache itself at the prompt. So like let's say I click on a link to download something from say, Source Forge that is 500MB. I get up as soon as it displays the 'your download will automatically start in 5 seconds' and I get a prompt asking me if I want to open or save the file (let's say for the example it's a ZIP file).

The problem I'm dealing with is that Firefox will automatically download those 500MB despite it asking me if I want to open or save, unlike Internet Explorer, and has always been irksome behavior. It also allows exploitation of Firefox in that malicious drive by downloads WILL download rather than be stalled at the prompt.

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I am not sure why this should \be considered a problem. You say you click on the link to download something, and Firefox begins downloading, that would seem to be the expected and correct action.

John99 said

Sorry for the delay in replying. I am not sure why this should \be considered a problem. You say you click on the link to download something, and Firefox begins downloading, that would seem to be the expected and correct action.

Reread my remark on drive-by downloads.

Although to reiterate many sites 5 years ago did not AJAX (I think that's the right one) ads every 5 seconds. I'd rather malicious programs not automatically download if I can help it.

You are mentioning drive by downloads, but you are saying you are clicking to download: Prismatic said

... Any file that is downloaded, regardless of type or MIME, will begin to download/cache itself at the prompt. So like let's say I click on a link to download something from say, Source Forge that is 500MB. I get up as soon as it displays the 'your download will automatically start in 5 seconds' and I get a prompt asking me if I want to open or save the file (let's say for the example it's a ZIP file). ....
[ My emphasis ~J99]

My understanding is what is called a 'drive-by' download is something that downloads without the user's permission on a page that normally would not contain a download, hence a 'drive-by'. It's been getting a bit ridiculous that a lot of websites that refresh ads will take over a page and force download something I did not request.

The other problem is that if I want to queue up 50 Toughbook driver downloads I'm not allowed to specify which 5 server slots I want to fill them with as Firefox will, albeit not randomly, cache the first five and do the rest in whatever order it is programmed to do.

The second point is probably outside the sort of feature most users would expect or need. Maybe a specialist download manager would help or something as simple as scheduling the opening Firefox with Windows for specific downloads in the order you require..

As for the drive by downloads you talk about maybe it is more the fault of the site than Firefox. Can you give a couple of example of pages that would not normally contain a download but cause this issue. Saying what actions you take and what unwanted download occurs.

Note we may try to offer advice on Fiierfox faults or features, but discussing future features or development issues is outside the scope of this forum.

I don't think it's wise to defer fault for something that makes Firefox unsafe by design. It's like telling a driver there's a recall on their car and working around it...It's not a good idea.

Let me put it into perspective, again.

The image is a download prompt for the system software of a Lumia phone. I have not selected what I wish to do with the file but it is already downloading. Either there is a configuration setting to disable this behavior or an issue Firefox needs to plug.

Edit: I'll probably submit a bug report for it later on, then.