This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Lolu chungechunge lwabekwa kunqolobane. Uyacelwa ubuze umbuzo omusha uma udinga usizo.

Save Link as behavior for blocked files by proxy

  • 2 uphendule
  • 1 inale nkinga
  • 1 view
  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu MT

more options

I am browsing the a proxy solution that is configured to block malicious files. I was testing the eicar file download through https://www.eicar.org/?page_id=3950. When I click on the download, my download is blocked and nothing happens (which is expected). However, if I right-click on the file and select "Save Link as" option, I get the block message, I get the pop-up window to save the file, and Firefox creates a file in the specified location. However, the file is invalid (obviously as the download was blocked). If I try the same with another Browser (like Chrome), it gives an error "Failed - Forbidden" for the download.

Trying to understand how Firefox handles such instances, does it first create a file in the specified location, even the file is not retrieved through the proxy? Why is firefox not giving an error message similar to other browsers if it actually fails to download the file.

I am browsing the a proxy solution that is configured to block malicious files. I was testing the eicar file download through https://www.eicar.org/?page_id=3950. When I click on the download, my download is blocked and nothing happens (which is expected). However, if I right-click on the file and select "Save Link as" option, I get the block message, I get the pop-up window to save the file, and Firefox creates a file in the specified location. However, the file is invalid (obviously as the download was blocked). If I try the same with another Browser (like Chrome), it gives an error "Failed - Forbidden" for the download. Trying to understand how Firefox handles such instances, does it first create a file in the specified location, even the file is not retrieved through the proxy? Why is firefox not giving an error message similar to other browsers if it actually fails to download the file.
Ama-screenshot ananyekiwe

All Replies (2)

more options

That may be an unintended consequence of the recent changes to downloading. If you are sufficiently motivated, you could file a bug report. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/

more options

Thanks @Terry.