Mozilla has unveiled a new feature for its Firefox web browser called “Quarantined Domains,” which will block certain extensions from running on specific websites. In the release notes for Firefox version 115.0, Mozilla explained that the tool will only allow some extensions monitored by Mozilla to function on designated websites due to security concerns.
In a blog post, the company elaborated on the rationale behind this move, stating that while an open ecosystem of add-ons benefits developers, it can also be exploited by threat actors. Mozilla acknowledged that reviews and user reports might not always be sufficient to identify and prevent malicious add-ons.
The Quarantined Domains feature aims to mitigate potential attacks by malicious actors targeting specific domains, especially in cases where undiscovered malicious add-ons may be present.
Although users can disable this feature by adjusting the “extensions.quarantinedDomains.enabled” setting in the “about:config” section, Mozilla plans to enhance the functionality in future updates. Firefox version 116 is expected to offer users more control over the behaviour of individual add-ons.
It’s important to note that the warning for potentially harmful add-ons appears in the Extensions popup rather than the toolbar icon, making it less conspicuous. This has raised concerns among developers and users, who believe that the warning should be more visible and accessible to users.
The introduction of Quarantined Domains follows Mozilla’s recent stance on a proposed bill in France that could lead to the blocking of specific websites listed by the government. Mozilla expressed concerns about the implications of such legislation, emphasizing that it could set a precedent for authoritarian governments to undermine censorship circumvention tools.
As Mozilla continues to refine and develop this new security feature, users are encouraged to stay informed about updates and changes to ensure a safe and secure browsing experience on Firefox.
