[Gllug] Google Notebook installs Firefox extension

[Ryan Cartwright]

Richard Jones wrote:
> Someone sent me a link to Google Notebook[1] which, it turned out,
> managed to install a Firefox extension without me apparently being
> aware of it.  (Which also broke my Firefox install, but that's another
> matter).
> 
> This is really really dangerous.  First of all, I removed FF and
> reinstalled it.  Is that enough?

Uninstalling firefox itself should not remove your local settings
including extension files. That said the extension files may be in place
but a new installation should not have them registered so you should be
okay.

> Can FF extensions affect data beyond just the FF install itself?

This would depend on the extension I think.

> Secondly, how the heck did it manage to
> install the extension without me seeing the usual warning/dialog?
> 

I just tried and after signing in I was given the download link - which
mentioned Firefox as a requirement and at the top of the page says...

"Downloading this extension gives you access to the mini Google Notebook
feature, which allows you to:"

Clicking the download link then gave me the Firefox warning bar saying
that I had not yet permitted www.google.com to install an extension. I
went no further as I don't want to install the extension.

Sorry for asking the obvious but is it possible that you have previously
allowed Google to install extensions on your copy of Firefox?

HTH
Ryan
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