Update: Firefox Beta

This is why im not using firefox at the moment because of all these updates and the update procedure is a real pain.
Im using comodo dragon which updates internally and is less hassle.

 

Unless you have a Facebook account, the Like widget won't invade your privacy, if it does, your Browser will be rendered compromised by the code listed in the Sophos article. This is only just out there, some of use are awaiting feedback as exactly what this does and how it compromises the Firefox Beta Browser.

 

I read the linked article, Siljaline, but I didn't see any mention of possible compromise? I'm not really understanding why Mozilla feels it is necessary to add this. This looks more along the lines of what Google does with Chrome at times ("Gosh this is cool..let's add it!"). Facebook enthusiasts (many of whom I've been around seem to have developed OCD) will have Facebook open constantly in another tab and FB Messenger open anyway. According to the pretty picture in the original Mozilla article, they can now talk about the sports game they are watching at the same time...they already do that without Mozilla needing to add this.

I'm no malware or security guru, but this seems to be just asking to be abused and very quickly if put into widespread use by Firefox users.

 

Reading this I'm glad I went to Palemoon a long time ago
Firefox can take all this crap and #@% it

 

I would not count on that. FaceBook has admitted that they tracked anybody that has ever visited a facebook page in the past and I'm convinced, if given the chance, they will again track non-users or are still tracking non-users. So "not having a FaceBook account" definitely does not prevent FB from tracking you.

regards myrti

 

Facebook tracks already through the use of "Like" buttons and such on websites. You've never had to go to Facebook itself for this to happen, and the only way thus far to prevent the tracking has been through 3rd party tools like ABP with specific blocking lists. What Mozilla is also leaving out is that Facebook can do whatever it darn well pleases with its API and so can any other network that chooses to partner with it.

 

What if one clears the the following value in about:config (preference = social.manifest.facebook)?

Code:

{"origin":"https://www.facebook.com","name":"Facebook Messenger","workerURL":"https://www.facebook.com/desktop/fbdesktop2/socialfox/fbworker.js.php","iconURL":"data:image/x-icon;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAQCAYAAAAf8%2F9hAAAAX0lEQVQ4jWP4%2F%2F8%2FAyUYTFhHzjgDxP9JxGeQDSBVMxgTbUBCxer%2Fr999%2BQ8DJBuArJksA9A10s8AXIBoA0B%2BR%2FY%2FjD%2BEwoBoA1yT5v3PbdmCE8MAshhID%2FUMoDgzUYIBj0Cgi7ar4coAAAAASUVORK5CYII%3D","sidebarURL":"https://www.facebook.com/desktop/fbdesktop2/?socialfox=true"}

 

Thank you for dropping by this thread and offering your observations. Your time is appreciated.

 

Can it be disabled or uninstalled?

Thanks.

 

That feature won't be running unless you enable it. Uninstalling it is probably not going to happen as it doesn't look to be anything separated, but built in to the browser.

 

You can not opt-out of Firefox beta software that does not offer this Browser plug-in Ostensibly, if you do have a Facebook account and you have Liked pages, using the toolbar plug-in, your name would be plainly visible to those sites or places that you frequently visit. Some tips on keeping your Facebook experience safe and secure.

 

Hi Siljaline,

I'm not sure why you are on such a rampage against Firefox. I don't think you have taken the time to look at the new beta at all or you would not be making these statements.

Yes you can decide not to run Firefox to solve the problem.. But the easiest way to do this is to download the firefox 17 beta3. It will not even suggest to you to use this plugin when you launch it, not when you log into Facebook either. I know, I've taken the time to download the beta and test it.
It was only after I visited this page (which I had to find through google) link and clicked on turn on, that the facebook extension was enabled.
(Be careful though this is a link to facebook. So if you visit with any browser but firefox 17 beta3 with facebook addon enabled, facebook will be able to track you even if you have no account)
So you can simply decide not to install the Facebook plugin yet use Firefox 17 beta 3. And even if you decide to install the Facebook plugin, you can just as easily disable it again with a simple click in the tools menu when you change your mind. It is opt-in to begin with. You don't need to opt-out to not get it.

This is true for every browser on the earth. This is the entire idea behind the Like-button of Facebook. You press it to tell others that you liked whatever it is you pressed the like button for. This has 0 to do with firefox, beta or no beta. (Now that this may cause some privacy concerncs is a topic to itself. But that goes with using Facebook, not with using Firefox)

myrti

 

Thanks for your info.

 

Thanks!

 

Or disable it entirely in about:config. Simply search for "social" and you'll find the following:

social.activation.whitelist (remove the entire Value string)
social.active - (ensure Value is set to false)
social.enabled - (ensure Value is set to false)
social.manifest.facebook (remove the entire Value string)
social.sidebar.open - (ensure Value is set to false)
social.toast-notifications.enabled - (ensure Value is set to false)

I'm running the current beta of v17 and it appears that it's not possible to enable anything related to this issue with the aforementioned configuration.

 

Just move to Pale Moon
you still have firefox and problem is solved

 

I'm seriously considering it. I've been a Firefox user since the 0.9 days and I've stuck by it over the years, but this might be the final straw. It just seems to be headed in the wrong direction. Constant updates, a switch to a rapid-release cycle to "keep up" with Chrome, maintenance service, and memory leaks which have only gotten worse as time goes on. Now FX is including FB integration? Yes, it looks like it can be disabled, but the last thing I want is a browser coupled with another service whose entire business is built on knowing absolutely everything about their users, from where they go to eat every day, to when they take a **** and what color toilet paper they use. No thanks.

 

I just checked it with with v16 out of curiosity and it only has social.enabled but also social.manifest.motown, do you know what that one is?

 

Thanks