Reviewing Advanced Settings in Firefox

This section provides a tutorial example on how to review advanced configuration settings in Firefox.

The last step to secure your Firefox is in the advanced configuration area.

1. Run Firefox and type in "about:config" in Web site address input box. You will see a warning message:

This might void your warranty!

Changing these advanced settings can be harmful to the stability, 
security, and performance of this application. You only continue if
you are sure of what you are doing.

2. Click the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button to continue. You will see all Firefox configuration settings in a single list.

3. Review each setting in the list. Watch out settings that Web addresses as their values.

For example, I have the following settings that use Web addresses:

app.support.baseURL: https://support.mozilla.org/1/firefox/...
browser.dictionaries.download.url: https://addons.mozilla.org/...
browser.safebrowsing.gethashURL: http://safebrowsing.clients.google...
browser.search.defaultengine: Ask.com
browser.search.defaulturl: http://search.yahoo.com/search?...
browser.search.selectedEngine: Ask.com
gecko.handlerService.schemes.irc.0.uriTemplate: https://www.mibbit...
gecko.handlerService.schemes.webcal.0.uriTemplate: https://30boxes.com
geo.wifi.uri: https://www.googleapis.com/geolocation/v1...
social.manifest.facebook: ("origin":"https://www.facebook.com",...
social.whitelist: https://mozsocial.cliqz.com,https://now.msn.com...
yahoo.ytff.search.popup_src: http://toolbar.yahoo.com/bh/v8/search...
...(more settings with mozilla.org addresses)

4. Research on the Web to understand what those web addresses are used for, also to see if you can trust them.

For example, "mozsocial.cliqz.com" is social tracking and news provider. It can be trusted.

I don't know why "browser.search.defaultengine: Ask.com" is still there, since I removed it from the search engine list earlier.

The picture below shows some search engines installed in Firefox:

Firefox Advanced Configuration Settings
Firefox Advanced Configuration Settings

Table of Contents

 About This Windows Security Book

 Windows 8: System Security Review

 Windows 8: System Security Protection

 Windows 8 System Recovery

 Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection

 Windows 7: System Security Review

 Windows 7: System Security Protection

 Windows 7 System Recovery

 Windows 7 Forefront Client Security

 Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool

 McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

Keeping Firefox Secure

 Keeping Firefox Up To Date

 Start and Download Options for Firefox

 Content Type Handler Applications

 Privacy Options: Tracking, History and Cookies

 Security Options: Add-Ons and Passwords

 Deleting Cookies Stored in Firefox

 Getting New Add-Ons in Firefox

 Disabling Extension Add-Ons in Firefox

 Disabling Plugin Add-Ons in Firefox

 Disabling Search Engines in Firefox

Reviewing Advanced Settings in Firefox

 Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure

 Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)

 HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool

 IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal

 "Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal

 "Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware

 Malware Manual Removal Experience

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal

 MS08-001 Vulnerability on Windows Systems

 Antivirus System PRO

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB