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Deceptive Content and Dangerous Software Protection without sending anything to Google?

  • 7 majibu
  • 1 ana tatizo hili
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  • Last reply by eldeten

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The explanation of how the "Deceptive Content and Dangerous Software Protection" option works (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work) says that it basically does two things:

1) Downloads a list, and locally checks the sites you visit against that list; 2) Sends information to Google’s Safe Browsing service about files you download in certain specific situations.

  1. 1 is useful and desired. #2 is not desired. Although the main "Block dangerous and deceptive content" option has two suboptions, "Block dangerous downloads" and "Warn you about unwanted and uncommon software," it's not clear if one of these specifically disables any use of Google's Safe Browsing service. If not, is there an about:config option to permit enabling the useful portion of this option (checking against known malicious sites lists) while disabling the invasive portion (sending information about what I download to Google)?
The explanation of how the "Deceptive Content and Dangerous Software Protection" option works (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work) says that it basically does two things: 1) Downloads a list, and locally checks the sites you visit against that list; 2) Sends information to Google’s Safe Browsing service about files you download in certain specific situations. #1 is useful and desired. #2 is not desired. Although the main "Block dangerous and deceptive content" option has two suboptions, "Block dangerous downloads" and "Warn you about unwanted and uncommon software," it's not clear if one of these specifically disables any use of Google's Safe Browsing service. If not, is there an about:config option to permit enabling the useful portion of this option (checking against known malicious sites lists) while disabling the invasive portion (sending information about what I download to Google)?

Chosen solution

you can try setting browser.safebrowsing.downloads.remote.enabled in about:config to false https://wiki.mozilla.org/Security/Features/Application_Reputation_Design_Doc

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All Replies (7)

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Hi, into your response on useful yes very when hit enter and poof up comes a red screen before your virus protection and your malware protection react if they do.

Myself do not know about:config for what you are asking for. Someone will look into what you are asking for.

Though in the long run is certainly better than chrome telling all.

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>>Though in the long run is certainly better than chrome telling all.

...Right, but Chrome isn't really related to the issue :P The issue is, in Firefox, can I enable this feature without sending information on my downloads to Google. If not...then unfortunately I have to just leave this feature entirely disabled :/

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about files you download in certain specific situations.

Not fully versed on the amount of keys found in about:config when search term is google or download.

But under certain specific situations would cover downloading a attachment from Gmail or Gdrive. Am not sure how to break that.

Someone will be along am sure that may know what keys to to destroy.

Modified by Shadow110

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It is likely that Firefox isn't sending the real URL to the Google server, but uses hashed URLs.

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Understood. I'd still want to avoid having them send anything to Google.

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Suluhisho teule

you can try setting browser.safebrowsing.downloads.remote.enabled in about:config to false https://wiki.mozilla.org/Security/Features/Application_Reputation_Design_Doc

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That's the one!!!! Exactly, perfect, & thanks so much :)