4 ms·

I can't figure out which bothers me more: Microsoft being so underhanded with these updates to software it doesn't produce or that they allow pretty much any co

I can't figure out which bothers me more: Microsoft being so underhanded with these updates to software it doesn't produce or that they allow pretty much any company to install an add-on within Firefox without user consent. This has happened once before with Microsoft and it's even happened with Skype, a company founded by modern, savvy entrepreneurs. Why won't Firefox add a feature to disable an installed add-ons until flagged as wanted by the user?

4chan4ever 16y ago
Because the Firefox add-on ecosystem is a complete mess. Try building an add-on if you've swallowed the Firefox koolaid. (Still miles and miles better than IE, but the Firefox add-on registration/update mechanism is one of the worst in the biz.)
pmjordan 16y ago
Windows Update presumably runs with System privileges and therefore can do anything to the computer. OK, the Firefox developers could make it harder to slip in add-ons, but not impossible.
- illumin8 16y ago
  They could make an addon installer that obtains a signature from Mozilla's server before installation, and blocks addons that haven't been signed with the appropriate key. Say all you want about central app stores that control things, but based on the amount of browser exploits that come from shady toolbars, I'd like this kind of security applied to code that runs in my browser.
  - pmjordan 16y ago
    I doubt Mozilla will want to review all add-ons. And if review isn't required for a signature, Microsoft can just get theirs signed. Moreover, why wouldn't the MS add-on pass review? If it didn't, would that make Firefox the new iPhone?
Lendal 16y ago
You consented when you selected "Install updates automatically," instead of "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them."
- rbanffy 16y ago
  You may be right, but only if the description of the update described all it did.
- WiseWeasel 16y ago
  We're talking about a new Firefox add-on being installed here, not an update to one already installed. That's a huge difference.
  - moron4hire 16y ago
    Windows Update installs new software all the time.
    - WiseWeasel 16y ago
      Windows Update installs new software in the domain of Windows and other Microsoft products. It is not expected to install updates or extensions to any 3rd party software.

4chan4ever 16y ago

Because the Firefox add-on ecosystem is a complete mess. Try building an add-on if you've swallowed the Firefox koolaid. (Still miles and miles better than IE, but the Firefox add-on registration/update mechanism is one of the worst in the biz.)

pmjordan 16y ago

Windows Update presumably runs with System privileges and therefore can do anything to the computer. OK, the Firefox developers could make it harder to slip in add-ons, but not impossible.

illumin8 16y ago
They could make an addon installer that obtains a signature from Mozilla's server before installation, and blocks addons that haven't been signed with the appropriate key. Say all you want about central app stores that control things, but based on the amount of browser exploits that come from shady toolbars, I'd like this kind of security applied to code that runs in my browser.
- pmjordan 16y ago
  I doubt Mozilla will want to review all add-ons. And if review isn't required for a signature, Microsoft can just get theirs signed. Moreover, why wouldn't the MS add-on pass review? If it didn't, would that make Firefox the new iPhone?

Lendal 16y ago

You consented when you selected "Install updates automatically," instead of "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them."

rbanffy 16y ago
You may be right, but only if the description of the update described all it did.
WiseWeasel 16y ago
We're talking about a new Firefox add-on being installed here, not an update to one already installed. That's a huge difference.
- moron4hire 16y ago
  Windows Update installs new software all the time.
  - WiseWeasel 16y ago
    Windows Update installs new software in the domain of Windows and other Microsoft products. It is not expected to install updates or extensions to any 3rd party software.