4 ms·

This was an inactive extension that didn't do anything unless you activated it, right?

detaro 9y ago
Yes. (well, technically it started and checked if it is turned on before not starting the part that would have done everything else)
ovao 9y ago
Correct.
cuckcuckspruce 9y ago
Assuming that they don't have or can't patch in the ability to push extensions hidden and already activated would be naive at this point.
- detaro 9y ago
  It's documented that Shield studies can be run without prompt for the individual study, no need to assume otherwise. People primarily worried about their privacy should have been worried about the study feature in cases where they'd actually run studies collecting data, not here.
dsl 9y ago
Pushed out silently as part of a mechanism designed to beta-test new browser features. Per their own documentation the extension is supposed to target 1-2% of the install base and pop up asking permission to continue. This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install a desktop icon promoting the latest season of The Voice. https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/Shield/Shield_Studies https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/Shield/Shield_Studies
- Veedrac 9y ago
  > This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install a desktop icon promoting the latest season of The Voice. Mozilla have said that this test was meant to be invisible, so whilst this is an accurate analogy of the end result, it's also an accidental one.
- r3bl 9y ago
  > This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install... Asphalt 8, Candy Crush, Keeper (also, see this[0]). These are the three[1] apps that I had to remove from a laptop purchased last month. They weren't a part of the OEM install, they came with the updates after the system was up and running. Bad example. [0] https://betanews.com/2017/12/17/windows-10-keeper-vulnerability/ https://betanews.com/2017/12/17/windows-10-keeper-vulnerabil... [1] I think there was one more, but I can't remember its name.
  - Paianni 9y ago
    Time to remove Windows 10.
nkkollaw 9y ago
Maybe. What about enterprise installs, where IT must have control over what gets installed on the company's computers..?
- angus-g 9y ago
  I'd hope they opt out of participating in the shield program?
- norgie 9y ago
  Then IT probably shouldn't enable Shield studies on their machines.
- r3bl 9y ago
  Enterprises are probably using Firefox ESR (version 52 for the six more months) which still has XUL add-ons, and does not have this problem.

Yes. (well, technically it started and checked if it is turned on before not starting the part that would have done everything else)

ovao 9y ago

Correct.

cuckcuckspruce 9y ago

Assuming that they don't have or can't patch in the ability to push extensions hidden and already activated would be naive at this point.

detaro 9y ago
It's documented that Shield studies can be run without prompt for the individual study, no need to assume otherwise. People primarily worried about their privacy should have been worried about the study feature in cases where they'd actually run studies collecting data, not here.

dsl 9y ago

Pushed out silently as part of a mechanism designed to beta-test new browser features. Per their own documentation the extension is supposed to target 1-2% of the install base and pop up asking permission to continue. This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install a desktop icon promoting the latest season of The Voice. https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/Shield/Shield_Studies https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/Shield/Shield_Studies

Veedrac 9y ago
> This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install a desktop icon promoting the latest season of The Voice. Mozilla have said that this test was meant to be invisible, so whilst this is an accurate analogy of the end result, it's also an accidental one.
r3bl 9y ago
> This is basically Microsoft using Windows Update to install... Asphalt 8, Candy Crush, Keeper (also, see this[0]). These are the three[1] apps that I had to remove from a laptop purchased last month. They weren't a part of the OEM install, they came with the updates after the system was up and running. Bad example. [0] https://betanews.com/2017/12/17/windows-10-keeper-vulnerability/ https://betanews.com/2017/12/17/windows-10-keeper-vulnerabil... [1] I think there was one more, but I can't remember its name.
- Paianni 9y ago
  Time to remove Windows 10.

nkkollaw 9y ago

Maybe. What about enterprise installs, where IT must have control over what gets installed on the company's computers..?

angus-g 9y ago
I'd hope they opt out of participating in the shield program?
norgie 9y ago
Then IT probably shouldn't enable Shield studies on their machines.
r3bl 9y ago
Enterprises are probably using Firefox ESR (version 52 for the six more months) which still has XUL add-ons, and does not have this problem.