How airtight do you need it to be? There are add-ons to prevent you from visiting sites you do not want to visit, such as LeechBlock.

I would prefer not to have to use an external agent or tool to block a site. What I was hoping for, was the equivalent of Internet Explorer's "Restricted Sites". This will block a site, including advertising sources which might load in a frame. This facility is integrated into the IE program, and has been for many years/versions.

Is there the equivalent in Firefox? If not maybe you could pass it on as a highly desirable enhancement ...

Many thanks

Kenneth Spencer

A more direct way to submit a feature suggestion is:

Help menu > Submit Feedback

However, from the earliest days the add-on community has supplied extensions such as NoScript and AdBlock Plus to build these features and fine-tune them to user feedback. Unless there is a good reason to build these features into the core of the product, I don't think it will be a high priority for the developers.

So as I know, firefox doesn't offer this kind of basic feature, you can block sites by editing your hosts file or use some third party apps.

There are all kinds of ways possible to bypass such a block, like using a proxy website or possibly other websites like Google Translate that can display other pages.

Thanks for the replies.

I have noted all the suggestions and comments. I am fully aware that a guarantee that a particular provision will be able to function as intended in all circumstances is hardly ever possible, but I still consider that my request would be useful to a majority of users, even as an integral feature of Firefox control.

I leave it open in case there is any other news or opinion that might be of use to those of us interested in the subject.

Regards

Kenneth Spencer

IE's block goes beyond blocking unwanted ads. This problem goes beyond ads or pop-ups. Some websites can hijack your browser and start opening up web pages--such as porn, or even for aggressive software. For example I keep getting pages opening to try and get me to download Ilivid--a malware downloader/viewer. Ilivid is a software download that embeds it's links on web pages in a manner that often tricks you into clicking on the wrong button (theirs) or they make it sound like you have to install their player in order to view a stream, etc. But they'll also open a web page (not a pop-up) to try and trick you into installing it.

I also keep getting prompted to "update my flash" but this isn't adobe, it's http://www.freemplayer.com/a/flashplayer/update/?. Any unsuspecting person (but especially a child) could inadvertantly click the download button and infect the computer. Ironically Norton, google and other "protectors" don't classify these as viruses or malware and most anti-virus programs won't block you from installing these. If you look them up they most certainly are. These are just a couple of examples successfully blocked by IE. IE has issues, but this feature is greatly appreciated. I'm surprised that Firefox doesn't have it. I repeat: This goes far beyond ads and pop-ups. I've blocked pop-ups, but that doesn't stop these two bullies. These are the two most recent I've been dealing with, but by far not the end of the list.

Thanks for your posting, LB2535.

You have described exactly what I would like to see in Firefox. And further you do seem to agree that this should be a proper component of built-in security (and not just security but also usability) of any decent browser.

Yes, Internet Explorer has its problems (and I wouldn't use an alternative if there weren't some features of IE v9/10 that give me problems at present), but so do all browsers. And given the fact that Microsoft has been the target of so much malicious Internet attention (and I mean of the malicious software kind) IE is probably stronger than most browsers.

Thanks again

Ken.

To expand a little bit on my previous post: the main advantage of IE Block is that even if you DO accidentally click on a malicious site's button, the site WON'T OPEN. It successfully and easily avoids major potential issues.

I quite agree that it is a useful facility and should be provided in all browsers. And I am not a particularly great worshipper of Microsoft!

Ken

To further clarify my post: No script and Ad Block don't work for problem web pages as I've described. I haven't found any add on or plugin that will. Only blocking the website URL can prevent these aggressive web sites/programs from inundating your browser with unwanted windows (not pop ups) or tricking you into opening the site/program.

Hi ladybug2535, did you check out either of these? I haven't tried them myself.

• BlockSite
• BlockSite Plus

I've read all the posts in this thread, but I don't seem to have gotten a solution out of them. If someone knows steps to specifically remove the freemplayer from popping up, please let me know. Thank you!

Hi identical1, what is the freemplayer? Have you looked for a rogue extension here:

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Extensions category

I suggest starting off by disabling ALL nonessential, newer, and unrecognized extensions, then restart Firefox and see whether anything has changed for the better.

If that doesn't help, could you start a new question and include your system details? You can do that here:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/new/desktop/fix-problems

I use AVAST it can be done in there. Double click the icon near your clock, go to tools, site blocking and add the URL. If you don't have AVAST, see if your anti-virus has something similar.

BlockSite works well. At first, I thought that it didn't, but then I realized that "http://" has to be included in the blocked site address (unlike in IE). One thing about Mozilla that helps that, as well, is the View Page Source in the right-click menu.

Well, thanks to all those who have contributed to this question.

However, I remain of the view that the provision of a facility for blocking a site should be the responsibility of the browser designer.

All these other add-ons and plug-ins (correct English: "adds-on" and "plugs-in" as there is only one "on" and "in", but many "adds" and "plugs") only serve to show that an important facility is missing from the browser.

I for one hope that eventually we'll get what we want.

Thanks yet again,

Ken

Ken: Let me add my support for your request for a way to block web sites. I am having a problem with a web site that keeps hijacking my start page. I would like to block it completely, but, like you, I have found Firefox lacking in this much needed function. Royal

Hi RoyalPhotography, a home page hijack typically has one of three sources. Please check:

(1) Extensions

Disable ALL nonessential or unrecognized extensions here (if in doubt, disable):

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Extensions category

After restarting Firefox, update your home page setting to the desired page(s). (E.g., How to set the home page)

(2) User.js file

Check for and either rename, delete, or edit any user.js file that may be overriding your preferences at startup. This article has the steps: How to fix preferences that won't save.

(3) Malware

External software that runs with normal Windows permissions can tinker with many Firefox files. You may want to run some supplemental scans. These three tools are highly regarded (and free):

• Malwarebytes Anti-malware : http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
• SUPERAntiSpyware : http://www.superantispyware.com/
• AdwCleaner : http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ (ignore banner ads for other products)

Under Tools > Options > Privacy > History, where it says "Accept cookies from sites", I clicked "Exceptions". I typed in a website trying that was hijacking from another, innocuous site (weather), and clicked "Blocked." Next time, the website tried to open, an antivirus program warned the site was dangerous, and almost immediately both the site and the message disappeared. Maybe this will work for what you are looking for?