Does Firefox use something in Google services?
I stopped using Chrome a while ago and I use, ahem, Bing for searches. Sometimes, when I click on a link I get a "404. That’s an error. The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know." while using Firefox. I copy the link and paste it into the browser Edge and the site comes up no problem. Does firefox used a cached version of Google while Edge does not? Is there a way to resolve this?
I decided to stop using Google some time ago so made the full time change to Firefox and a different search engine. A tad bothersome that Google is still there. Not really interested in going to MS Edge...
Chosen solution
If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, DuckDuckGo PE, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.
- make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems
Firefox shows a purple shield instead of a gray shield at the left end of the location/address bar in case Enhanced Tracking Protection is blocking content. You can click shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection. You can check the Web Console for messages about blocked content.
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/trackers-and-scripts-firefox-blocks-enhanced-track
All Replies (6)
I'm not sure why you are getting a Google page. Did the URL route through Google? I think that would be very odd for links from Bing results.
Your browser certainly could cache pages from websites, including Google. If you suspect there may be stuck or corrupted files in the web cache, this article has the steps to flush it:
How to clear the Firefox cache -- only clear web cache, not all cookies & site data
I will clear the cache as you recommend. I thought it strange too. This has been happening for a while now, just pasted the link I wanted to read into Edge and assumed the problem would eventually take care of itself. It hasn't.
Chosen Solution
If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, DuckDuckGo PE, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.
- make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems
Firefox shows a purple shield instead of a gray shield at the left end of the location/address bar in case Enhanced Tracking Protection is blocking content. You can click shield icon for more detail and possibly disable the protection. You can check the Web Console for messages about blocked content.
I use vanilla Mozilla but I do use Adblock. I disabled adblock and sites that were 404 are now available. I will admit this surprises me a bit. Thanks for the suggestions all!
- It is still odd that I get that "google" alert for a 404 but I will leave that for smarter people than I to figure that out.
- 2nd edit - turned Adblock back on and again I get that google message in the browser. No doubt, that is where the problem is.
Modified by mojotre
It is possible that ABP modifies the link and removes the GET parameters appended to a link (?xx=xx) that makes the link not valid
I couldn't even speculate. I am not too worried about what Google knows but it is more than a little creepy. I still have Chrome installed and Google is the search engine there. I even have the Nest listening devices in various locations in my home and they are convenient. The thought with Mozilla and Bing, my primary browser/search for about 95% of my use, maybe more, is why give them everything. To find a Google message under it all was a bit surprising.
<insert Borg message here>