Did FF become Spyware recently?

Discussion of features in Mozilla Firefox
Post Reply
Centauri39
Posts: 355
Joined: November 25th, 2006, 2:18 pm

Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Centauri39 »

This issue is affecting both Windows and Linux.

Yesterday, I was updating my add-ons (sometimes, I do it manually), when suddenly an add-on called "Telemetry Coverage 7.0" appeared in my add-on list.
It was installed without asking me for permission.

I disabled it and it disapeared, instead of being moved to the disabled add-ons section.
So, i was forced to look for it in the FF profile and I found it in the sub folder features, where I was able to delete it.

In section "privacy and security", it says, they'd ask me first before sending data to Mozilla,
but at the same time, they are installing "features" without asking me for permission?
Why is FF lying here? :evil:

On a second computer, also in the features subfolder,
I found an xpi called "fxmonitor", which of course I deleted right away, too.
What on earth going on at Mozilla? :twisted:
Last edited by Centauri39 on October 14th, 2018, 6:03 am, edited 3 times in total.
Centauri39
Posts: 355
Joined: November 25th, 2006, 2:18 pm

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Centauri39 »

Deleted!
Sorry, double!
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Brummelchen »

please use forum search - here and on camp-firefox - both were being discussed here and elsewhere:
https://www.camp-firefox.de/forum/viewt ... 7&t=125486

i remember Sören when he wrote (not only to you), not to be abusive with "firefox" and "spyware" this way. or you/some deliver some evidence.

"telemetry coverage"
https://blog.mozilla.org/data/2018/08/2 ... n-firefox/
offcial explanation!

but where is the problem to deactivate it?
https://www.ghacks.net/2018/09/21/mozil ... opulation/
User avatar
DanRaisch
Moderator
Posts: 127187
Joined: September 23rd, 2004, 8:57 pm
Location: Somewhere on the right coast

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by DanRaisch »

Why are you guys lying?
Please pay attention to the information presented on this page: We're not Mozilla.
mozillaZine is an independent Mozilla community and advocacy site. We're not affiliated or endorsed by the Mozilla Corporation but we love them just the same.
Centauri39
Posts: 355
Joined: November 25th, 2006, 2:18 pm

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Centauri39 »

@ DanRaisch
If you don't want this topic to be discussed, then delete it.

When I said "you guys", of course I didn't mean mozillaZine or any user of it.
I was asking Mozilla, of course.
(EDIT: I edited the objected words into something else.
Hoping, you are satisfied with it.)

@ Brummelchen
Brummelchen wrote:... or you/some deliver some evidence. ...
Why would I deliver some evidence, if all you have to do is to read the description of that add-on?
It says there, it is made to send data, as well as what kind of data.

The crucial point here is that it is installed silently, without user permission.
That's what's annoying me.
User avatar
therube
Posts: 21703
Joined: March 10th, 2004, 9:59 pm
Location: Maryland USA

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by therube »

Fire 750, bring back 250.
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.19) Gecko/20110420 SeaMonkey/2.0.14 Pinball CopyURL+ FetchTextURL FlashGot NoScript
Centauri39
Posts: 355
Joined: November 25th, 2006, 2:18 pm

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Centauri39 »

@ therube
Please, consider yourself liked by me. :-)
Sorry, there's no according feature for that...
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Brummelchen »

you have to do is to read the description of that add-on?
i have to do nothing like that, i gave you link to the official explanation, not my bad if you dont understand that.

@therube - you are using malware? seriously?
but i see your user agent is seamonkey, dont know why you speak up as you seem not concerned.
if you use firefox your "statement" is absolutely pointless.

fxmonitor is opt-in, telemetry is opt-out in settings. why bother - did you not had a look into settings?

if some start a new profile this is one of the first hints firefox show up - "telemetry, will you help us?" (or similar, at the bottom of firefox windows)
there you can enter settings and turn it off. wth what are we talking about?

what i can tell you that i have NONE of those extensions. guess i have done right something!!!
User avatar
mightyglydd
Posts: 9813
Joined: November 4th, 2006, 7:07 pm
Location: Hollywood Ca.

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by mightyglydd »

Brummelchen wrote:but i see your user agent is seamonkey,
And yours is Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/71.0.3572.0 Safari/537.36
#KeepFightingMichael and Alex.
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Brummelchen »

ofc, this is chromium - did you ever see me complaining about firefox and those things they do?
investigate in other postings from me and you will find firefox 62 and Fennec 62 (android).
Depends were i am and which computer is running. sorry, but you missed it somehow.
when i ever consider firefox, or chromium, or or..., as "malware" i immediately would uninstall/delete.
maybe seamonkey is out of such features, but it lacks other features, nevertheless both share code and i am not sure they know ALL about. thats a hot potato.
User avatar
James
Moderator
Posts: 27999
Joined: June 18th, 2003, 3:07 pm
Location: Made in Canada

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by James »

Centauri39 wrote:I found an xpi called "fxmonitor"
Fx is the official abbreviation for Firefox since the Firefox name was first used as of 0.8 Release.

Firefox Monitor
https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2018/09/2 ... ta-breach/
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-monitor
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/fi ... onitor-faq
User avatar
therube
Posts: 21703
Joined: March 10th, 2004, 9:59 pm
Location: Maryland USA

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by therube »

@therube - you are using malware? seriously?
Yes.
When I use FF, I am using malware.

When a program defaults to installing "things", extensions, updates, whatever, without you having first given it permission, I consider it malware. And in the case of FF, it does this, secretly. There is no indication that this was done - unless you happen to realize it (by like going to Addons Manager, being surprised, & saying, what the crap is this!).

If FF wants to run (install) a test or whatever, let it ask me first.
As it is, it does not, it takes it upon itself to decide.

That is malware, malicious behavior.

(Likewise, I would not be happy with Windows 10, spying & installing updates whenever it pleases.)
Fire 750, bring back 250.
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.19) Gecko/20110420 SeaMonkey/2.0.14 Pinball CopyURL+ FetchTextURL FlashGot NoScript
Brummelchen
Posts: 4480
Joined: March 19th, 2005, 10:51 am

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by Brummelchen »

malicious behavior
i would call it unwanted. i dont thinks its bad or maliscious, it dont steal any personal data or money from me.
nevertheless you are right that it puts firefox and mozilla in a certain light.
I would not be happy with Windows 10
absolutely - not pure. this is win10 ltsb* (current 1607 = latest) and i used O&O shutup.
as you can see my UA is firefox on such win10.

the edge is sharp - firefox is dancing on the top.
what i dont get that mozilla did it again - it does not matter if some advertising extension as in the past or telemetry (fxmonitor is opt-in).

ok i found it in my profile and were "lost" ^^

*LTSB has not the latest features, but is has only few principal apps, no edge., no cortana, none of that "crap" (my win8 dont has either apps)

HTH
User avatar
therube
Posts: 21703
Joined: March 10th, 2004, 9:59 pm
Location: Maryland USA

Re: Did FF become Spyware recently?

Post by therube »

Oh, so (Windows Enterprise) LTSB is kind of like (FF) ESR.
Fire 750, bring back 250.
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.19) Gecko/20110420 SeaMonkey/2.0.14 Pinball CopyURL+ FetchTextURL FlashGot NoScript
Post Reply