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Mozilla has pulled
two FireFox addons after additional security scans detected they contained
MalWare.
| Update: After further testing by
Mozilla, they have determined that only one of the AddOns contained
a trojan. February 13, 2010. |
Mozilla had a procedure in place to check for FireFox 'Malware' AddOns, however
MalWare was reportedly detected in one experimental
addon, at first.
The security procedure was then upgraded and another AddOn was detected as
containing MalWare as Mozilla rechecked all AddOns on their database.
Both these FireFox Malware addons have been pulled by Mozilla from their
addon database. It should be noted that the two AddOns concerned were
considered 'experimental' AddOns.
Users need to take action themselves as FireFox pulls MalWare Addons from their
database.
FireFox users may still be infected and should:
- UnInstall the effected AddOns completely.
- Scan and Remove the remnants of the addons with up to date security
software that can detect this malware.
Simply uninstalling the AddOns may not be enough, hence the use of security
software is recommend.
AddOns are a great part of
browsers as they optionally add a great deal more power and functionality to
browsers such as FireFox.
Users should be aware of the risk of using AddOns and also consider the
reliability of their source.
Whilst we can consider Mozilla a trusted source themselves, AddOns can come from
users who may not always be trustworthy.
Hence in installing any AddOn users should also consider who created the AddOn
itself.
That having been said, AddOns users themselves can be active in reporting
MalWare to Mozilla so the community, Open Source, nature of FireFox and Addons has
enormous benefits.
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