How do I know which add-ons have been validated as safe? When clicking "Add to Firefox" I get the scary warning window about only using add-ons from trusted
The scary warning that appears when I click "Add to Firefox" for a certain add-on discourages me from actually installing it. "Install add-ons only from authors whom you trust. Malicious software can damage your computer or violate your privacy . . . (author not verified)" In particular, I'm interested in the Password Exporter add-on. I want to be especially cautious as this will access all my passwords stored in Firefox. How do I actually know if an add-on is safe or not?
Chosen solution
The warning that appears when you try to install could probably be better worded. All it basically is is making sure that you want to install the addon (which is why it gives the add-ons name) and reiterates the warning to only install it from a website you trust. I trust the mozilla add-ons site, if you do as well, then install from there. I wouldn't trust a website titles something like "Free extensions 4 u" or something, but some people might. It is a personal judgement call.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have already looked at that faq. It includes this statement, "We recommend that you only install approved add-ons." But when I try to install the add-on in question, I receive the warning, "Install add-ons only from authors whom you trust", as if security screening is up to me. I do not know how to reconcile these two statements and do not know how to tell which add-ons are approved.
If you are talking about "Password Exporter 1.2.1", it's safe as I have been using that add-on for years and love it.
Chosen Solution
The warning that appears when you try to install could probably be better worded. All it basically is is making sure that you want to install the addon (which is why it gives the add-ons name) and reiterates the warning to only install it from a website you trust. I trust the mozilla add-ons site, if you do as well, then install from there. I wouldn't trust a website titles something like "Free extensions 4 u" or something, but some people might. It is a personal judgement call.
Helpful clarification. Thanks. It seems the warning is from the program on my computer and that it is ignorant that I'm downloading the add-on from Mozilla.