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any way to freeze Firefox extension settings

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  any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> - 2025-04-08 06:18 -0400
    Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Dave Royal <dave@dave123royal.com> - 2025-04-08 15:05 +0100
      Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> - 2025-04-08 12:59 -0400
        Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Dave Royal <dave@dave123royal.com> - 2025-04-08 19:22 +0100
          Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> - 2025-04-08 15:11 -0400
            Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Frank Miller <miller@posteo.ee> - 2025-04-08 22:34 +0200
              Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Frank Miller <miller@posteo.ee> - 2025-04-08 23:15 +0200
          Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Dave Royal <dave@dave123royal.com> - 2025-04-08 21:54 +0100
    Re: any way to freeze Firefox extension settings Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2025-04-11 05:57 +0000

#12994 — any way to freeze Firefox extension settings

I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is 
running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain 
sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this 
extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a 
policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the 
Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options 
existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my 
dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking 
websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By 
simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a 
password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were 
wasted efforts.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared 
use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block 
Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make 
sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and 
cannot be changed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

JD

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#12997

Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:

> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is 
> running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain 
> sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this 
> extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a 
> policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the 
> Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options 
> existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my 
> dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking 
> websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By 
> simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a 
> password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were 
> wasted efforts.
> 
> Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared 
> use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block 
> Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make 
> sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and 
> cannot be changed.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> 
> JD
> 

This?
<https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/block-website/>

Try adding this to your policy file:
{ "policies": { "DisablePrivateBrowsing": true } }

I'm not sure if that still works.
-- 
Remove numerics from my email address.

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#12999

On 4/8/25 10:05 AM, Dave Royal wrote:
> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
> 
>> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is
>> running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain
>> sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this
>> extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a
>> policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the
>> Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options
>> existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my
>> dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking
>> websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By
>> simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a
>> password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were
>> wasted efforts.
>>
>> Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared
>> use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block
>> Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make
>> sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and
>> cannot be changed.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any help.
>>
>> JD
>>
> 
> This?
> <https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/block-website/>

Yes, that is the extension.

> 
> Try adding this to your policy file:
> { "policies": { "DisablePrivateBrowsing": true } }
> 
> I'm not sure if that still works.

No, did not work.  On a pinch, I decided to go into Firefox settings in 
about:preferences#privacy.  Under the "History" section, I UNchecked 
"Always use private browsing mode" which originally greyed out the three 
options below it.  Once this was done, I made sure to uncheck the two 
boxes below it and to clear history when FF closes.  This actually 
seemed to do the trick!  Now when I turn off "allow to run in private 
windows" in "Block Site" settings and go to any website I have blocked, 
it now works!  So now it's working whether "allow to run in private 
windows" in enabled or not.  Problem solved.

I'm not sure why I had to turn off private browsing mode in FF to get 
this to work though and am a bit concerned about what this does to 
security.

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#13000

Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:

> On 4/8/25 10:05 AM, Dave Royal wrote:
>> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
>> 
>>> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is
>>> running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain
>>> sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this
>>> extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a
>>> policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the
>>> Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options
>>> existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my
>>> dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking
>>> websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By
>>> simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a
>>> password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were
>>> wasted efforts.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared
>>> use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block
>>> Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make
>>> sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and
>>> cannot be changed.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for any help.
>>>
>>> JD
>>>
>> 
>> This?
>> <https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/block-website/>
> 
> Yes, that is the extension.
> 
>> 
>> Try adding this to your policy file:
>> { "policies": { "DisablePrivateBrowsing": true } }
>> 
>> I'm not sure if that still works.
> 
> No, did not work.  On a pinch, I decided to go into Firefox settings in 
> about:preferences#privacy.  Under the "History" section, I UNchecked 
> "Always use private browsing mode" which originally greyed out the three 
> options below it.  Once this was done, I made sure to uncheck the two 
> boxes below it and to clear history when FF closes.  This actually 
> seemed to do the trick!  Now when I turn off "allow to run in private 
> windows" in "Block Site" settings and go to any website I have blocked, 
> it now works!  So now it's working whether "allow to run in private 
> windows" in enabled or not.  Problem solved.
> 
> I'm not sure why I had to turn off private browsing mode in FF to get 
> this to work though and am a bit concerned about what this does to 
> security.
> 

That all sounds odd. Why was "Always use private browsing mode" in
 about:preferences checked? Was that deliberate?

Does it block sites if the user deselects "allow to run in private
 windows" in the addon and then puts Firefox in Private Browsing
 mode?

And in answer to your original question - how to stop the use
 changing the options for an addon - I don't know of a way. You
 could ask the addon author.
-- 
Remove numerics from my email address.

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#13001

On 4/8/25 2:22 PM, Dave Royal wrote:
> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
> 
>> On 4/8/25 10:05 AM, Dave Royal wrote:
>>> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
>>>
>>>> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is
>>>> running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain
>>>> sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this
>>>> extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a
>>>> policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the
>>>> Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options
>>>> existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my
>>>> dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking
>>>> websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By
>>>> simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a
>>>> password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were
>>>> wasted efforts.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared
>>>> use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block
>>>> Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make
>>>> sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and
>>>> cannot be changed.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for any help.
>>>>
>>>> JD
>>>>
>>>
>>> This?
>>> <https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/block-website/>
>>
>> Yes, that is the extension.
>>
>>>
>>> Try adding this to your policy file:
>>> { "policies": { "DisablePrivateBrowsing": true } }
>>>
>>> I'm not sure if that still works.
>>
>> No, did not work.  On a pinch, I decided to go into Firefox settings in
>> about:preferences#privacy.  Under the "History" section, I UNchecked
>> "Always use private browsing mode" which originally greyed out the three
>> options below it.  Once this was done, I made sure to uncheck the two
>> boxes below it and to clear history when FF closes.  This actually
>> seemed to do the trick!  Now when I turn off "allow to run in private
>> windows" in "Block Site" settings and go to any website I have blocked,
>> it now works!  So now it's working whether "allow to run in private
>> windows" in enabled or not.  Problem solved.
>>
>> I'm not sure why I had to turn off private browsing mode in FF to get
>> this to work though and am a bit concerned about what this does to
>> security.
>>
> 
> That all sounds odd. Why was "Always use private browsing mode" in
>   about:preferences checked? Was that deliberate?

I believe I did set that originally, yes (or was the result of using 
"strict" FF settings).

> 
> Does it block sites if the user deselects "allow to run in private
>   windows" in the addon and then puts Firefox in Private Browsing
>   mode?

Yes, it does seem to now.

> 
> And in answer to your original question - how to stop the use
>   changing the options for an addon - I don't know of a way. You
>   could ask the addon author.

Yes, the author has a Github where users can post issues.  If it's 
anything like I have experienced in the past with other programs, my 
issue would probably never be addressed at all.

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#13004

Jackson Durmott wrote:
> On 4/8/25 2:22 PM, Dave Royal wrote:
[..snip..]
>> 
>> And in answer to your original question - how to stop the use
>>   changing the options for an addon - I don't know of a way. You
>>   could ask the addon author.
> 
> Yes, the author has a Github where users can post issues.  If it's 
> anything like I have experienced in the past with other programs, my 
> issue would probably never be addressed at all.

How about making the files and\or folders regarding this addon read only?

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#13006

Frank Miller wrote:
> Jackson Durmott wrote:
>> On 4/8/25 2:22 PM, Dave Royal wrote:
> [..snip..]
>>> 
>>> And in answer to your original question - how to stop the use
>>>   changing the options for an addon - I don't know of a way. You
>>>   could ask the addon author.
>> 
>> Yes, the author has a Github where users can post issues.  If it's 
>> anything like I have experienced in the past with other programs, my 
>> issue would probably never be addressed at all.
> 
> How about making the files and\or folders regarding this addon read only?

P.S.: you could combine this with creating guest account on that PC.
You can configure that account to your likings and everything will be
reset and cleaned after logout.
It's very simple, BTDT:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/hacks-mint.html#ID1

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#13005

Dave Royal <dave@dave123royal.com> Wrote in message:

> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
> 
>> On 4/8/25 10:05 AM, Dave Royal wrote:
>>> Jackson Durmott <jdurmott55655@enau.net> Wrote in message:
>>> 
>>>> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.  It is
>>>> running Firefox and the OS is Ubuntu 22.04.  I want to restrict certain
>>>> sites so added a Firefox extension called "Block Site".  I wanted this
>>>> extension to be unremovable so followed some instructions for creating a
>>>> policies.json file that was placed in the "distribution" folder of the
>>>> Firefox installation location.  This worked and anywhere  options
>>>> existed for extension removal were greyed out.  However, much to my
>>>> dismay, after testing the extension, I find that it is only blocking
>>>> websites  if the option to "run in private windows" is "allowed".  By
>>>> simply clicking "don't allow" nothing is blocked so setting up a
>>>> password within the extension and making the extension unremovable were
>>>> wasted efforts.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, I don't have much time before the PC is open for shared
>>>> use.  Is there any way I can simply lock the settings within the "Block
>>>> Site" extension to not allow user access?  All I'd need to do is to make
>>>> sure that the "allow to run in private windows" setting is locked and
>>>> cannot be changed.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for any help.
>>>>
>>>> JD
>>>>
>>> 
>>> This?
>>> <https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/block-website/>
>> 
>> Yes, that is the extension.
>> 
>>> 
>>> Try adding this to your policy file:
>>> { "policies": { "DisablePrivateBrowsing": true } }
>>> 
>>> I'm not sure if that still works.
>> 
>> No, did not work.  On a pinch, I decided to go into Firefox settings in 
>> about:preferences#privacy.  Under the "History" section, I UNchecked 
>> "Always use private browsing mode" which originally greyed out the three 
>> options below it.  Once this was done, I made sure to uncheck the two 
>> boxes below it and to clear history when FF closes.  This actually 
>> seemed to do the trick!  Now when I turn off "allow to run in private 
>> windows" in "Block Site" settings and go to any website I have blocked, 
>> it now works!  So now it's working whether "allow to run in private 
>> windows" in enabled or not.  Problem solved.
>> 
>> I'm not sure why I had to turn off private browsing mode in FF to get 
>> this to work though and am a bit concerned about what this does to 
>> security.
>> 
> 
> That all sounds odd. Why was "Always use private browsing mode" in
>  about:preferences checked? Was that deliberate?
> 
> Does it block sites if the user deselects "allow to run in private
>  windows" in the addon and then puts Firefox in Private Browsing
>  mode?
> 
> And in answer to your original question - how to stop the use
>  changing the options for an addon - I don't know of a way. You
>  could ask the addon author.

It appears you can set in policies whether or not an extension is
 allowed in private browsing:
<https://mozilla.github.io/policy-templates/#extensionsettings>
See 'private_browsing' - boolean

Whether that removes the setting from the options, or disables
 changing it, you'd have to test.

And it depends whether you /want/ to force it into private browsing.

-- 
Remove numerics from my email address.

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#13025

On Tue, 8 Apr 2025 06:18:31 -0400, Jackson Durmott wrote:

> I have recently set up a shared desktop PC with Internet access.

It might be possible to lock user settings by making the corresponding 
files and directories owned by root and read-only by the user.

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