Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

If Firefox is opened with a URL parameter, the parameter persists through attempts to clear history.

  • 1 reply
  • 0 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by acnc393

AnonymousUser
AnonymousUser
more options

When Firefox is opened with a URL, the URL is a parameter in Firefox's command line and could present a potential privacy leak as it is not cleared by Clear Recent History.

When Firefox is opened with a URL, the URL is a parameter in Firefox's command line and could present a potential privacy leak as it is not cleared by Clear Recent History.

All Replies (1)

acnc393
acnc393
more options

In addition, right click on Firefox's launch icon, click "Properties", note the third line; the "COMMAND" entry which most likely reads "Firefox -u". The "-u" is what Anonymous is referring to as a parameter. It (-u) represents an instruction to Firefox to replace your destination URL with another destination that is not intended.

This may point to a virus in an applet, could be a porn site, whatever.

If a pop-up box asks for permission to download a file, DO NOT CLICK OK.

Click "Cancel".

I did a cold boot out of instinct next, then get rid of that "-u". I cannot speak for the clear history but it sounds like a good idea, also. I made sure I had a BACKUP of my bookmarks as a precaution, then did what Anonymous suggested.

Another thought I only have one icon, so cannot vouch for it but you may need to remove the "-u" on each launch Firefox you have.

Also, do not be as blasé as I was, if the URL looks wrong, it probably is wrong. Go browse somewhere else.

Alex