Firefox WebExtensions - Two years later, functionality test

It's the end of the Web as we know it. Or is it? Two years since Firefox 57, here comes an article reviewing the variety, quality and functionality of Firefox add-ons after the post-Quantum change to WebExtensions, the future of the Internet, and more.

https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/firefox-webextensions-value-two-years-later.html


Cheers,
Mrk

 

Yes exactly, Tab Mix Plus and Classic Theme Restorer were killed, and that made FF unusable to me. NoScript also became a complete mess with a horrible GUI. But I don't blame WebExtensions, I blame Mozilla. These features should be a standard on any browser.

 

It's not so bad, Super-Kevin!

 

Not bad. Just not as fabulous as it should be.
What you got there in your browser?
Mrk

 

Only these extensions.

 

isn't "jsto&o" redundant, since you can do it via ubo's cp?

 

Probably. I just like a toggle on/off switch in the GUI, like back in the day with SeaMonkey.

 

fair enough.

 

It's much easier. lol

 

you know that it's ubo toolbar popup ui i'm talking about, right? not the dasboard. bc, it's just one more click and the toggle button (per site) is just there.

 

Yes, but a GUI toggle is still faster and simpler. If I change adblockers it would still be there. I use the same toggle on Opera (Ubuntu).

 

ok, i take your point.

 

Well, web extensions as the name tells, allow content manipulation at some extent leaving you without control over your browser's functionality.
This is intended and is in fact an incapacitation of the user. People must use the browser as prescribed by the developer.

XUL based (legacy) extensions give you the freedom of both, manipulation of web content and adapting browser functionality to your needs.

 

When I said SeaMonkey, I actually meant K-Meleon. Although with an extension I could do something similar in SM. Toggling JS on and off is the nearest I can get to NoScript without actually using NoScript.

 

Yes, Firefox stopped being "our browser". Fortunately Palemoon carries the torch.

 

i don't like the idea of having too many extensions installed. bc, the way i see it, the more extensions you have, the more you're exposed to attacks.

https://blog.jscrambler.com/case-study-mitigating-browser-extension-attacks/

https://www.slashnext.com/flaw-reinforces-browser-extensions-as-potential-attack-vector/

 

Technically there's a huge difference how toggling in SeaMonkey and K-Meleon works compared to how it works in web extensions.
In SeaMonkey and K-Meleon, execution of JavaScript is disabled at browser level. That's how things should be done.
Web extensions are forbidden to access internal preferences of the browser. Hence extension devs are forced to apply workarounds.
Such a workaround is to block/unblock JavaScript in web content (web extensions - dirty approach) instead of toggling on/off by disabling execution at browser level (legacy extensions - clean approach).

 

I have seven extensions. That's hardly extravagant. I doubt I'm exposing myself to attack by very much. Considering most of them contribute to browser hardening.

 

OK, thanks. It still blocks JS at some level though. Which is all I want.

 

I agree. Too bad Firefox lacks the option to disable javascript on a per site basis. It can only be disabled globally in about:config, but that's pretty useless for granular control of websites or top level domains. Chrome has the option in settings to disable javascript globally, and allow on a per site or top level domain basis. The option in uBO extension, as pointed out above, works very well at least, or the extension used by @Daveski17. Still, every browser should have some sort of half decent Javascript control built-in.

 

My system is Windows 10, Home Edition. I have had Firefox on my computer for at least 3 years, both Chrome and Opera are working fine. Recently a Mozilla Crash Report that said, "Firefox had a problem and crashed. We'll try to restore your tabs and windows when it restarts" appeared when I tried accessing Firefox. I could get no farther than the Mozilla Crash Report, the browser would not load. I tried uninstalling Firefox and reinstalling the latest edition, which was the same edition I had, to no avail. As a last resort I entered Safe Mode and accessed Firefox but did not see anything I recognized, so I reset Firefox. This resulted in a folder, Old Firefox, appearing on my desktop. I still could not access Firefox, so I uninstalled Firefox and deleted the folder, Old Firefox, from my desktop. Each time I uninstalled Firefox I used Revo Uninstaller Pro. I have again downloaded the latest Firefox Edition but before I try installing it I wanted to ask other Forum Members if there is anything else I should do to assure all Firefox Files are gone. Any suggestions or recommendations will be appreciated. And as always I would thank you in advance.

John

 

Hi jpcummins,

i went through pretty much exactly the same scenario a few weeks ago with Firefox on Linux MX-19, except without using Revo or any 3rd-party uninstaller, and also ended up with a Firefox old folder on the desktop after uninstalling Firefox, deleting any leftover Firefox directories then re-installing Firefox, finally fixed the issue. I've concluded Apparmor (mandatory access control) probably caused the issue, so unfortunately it's nothing related to Windows 10, but I wanted to share my experience with you because of all the similarities.

 

Hi JP, (to do a clean install) delete the Mozilla folders in AppData Local and Roaming and also delete the folder in Programs files if it was not deleted automatically when you uninstalled Firefox.

Bo

 

Thanks for replying Bo, I appreciate it very much. in AppData there is no Mozilla folder in Local but there is in LocalLow and Roaming. I presume it is sale to delete the Mozilla folders but will wait until I hear back from you before doing so. There is no Mozilla folder in Program files, so I presume Revo UnInstaller Pro did its job. Once I delete the Mozilla folders I will reinstall Firefox and hopefully it will work as it did. Again, thanks so very much.

John

 

Thanks for replying, I do appreciate it very much. Not sure what caused Firefox to act up but after I delete the Mozilla folders, as Bo suggested, in AppData I will reinstall it and hope for the best. Again, thanks for replying.