With the recent push to fix crashes, we've been finding that a number of the top crashes are caused by malware. As such, we should probably make a guide to staying safe online as an Article that we can link people to:
Things to cover?
How to tell if a site is legit
If you have won a prize online you really haven't
Good practices (don't click on links in email etc)
What causes pop-unders and pop-ups
Toolbars that promise this or that usually don't deliver
Explain search hijacking better and how to avoid it
Ideas? Comments?
I know I'm probably not the first person to come up with this idea and it's a little bit out of scope for "Firefox support" but it's pretty relevant to Firefox user education.
With the recent push to fix crashes, we've been finding that a number of the top crashes are caused by malware. As such, we should probably make a guide to staying safe online as an Article that we can link people to:
Things to cover?
How to tell if a site is legit
If you have won a prize online you really haven't
Good practices (don't click on links in email etc)
What causes pop-unders and pop-ups
Toolbars that promise this or that usually don't deliver
Explain search hijacking better and how to avoid it
Ideas? Comments?
I know I'm probably not the first person to come up with this idea and it's a little bit out of scope for "Firefox support" but it's pretty relevant to Firefox user education.
Specific case: [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=531587 this crash bug]
Personally, I think that a comprehensive "How to stay safe online" article is probably best left to sites specializing in security and malware removal. Even so, I still think that the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article could be improved by including more prevention tips and links to additional information, such as the anti-malware software sites and malware removal forums linked here:
I found these articles that mention spyware/virus/malware/malicious software (there may be more):
[[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]] (many other articles link here)
[[Crash signature - nsStyleSet FileRules]]
[[Crash signature - _PR_MD_SEND]]
[[Crash signature - nsEventListenerManager Release]]
[[Crash signature - nsStyleSet AddImportantRules]]
[[Crash signature - 0x0]]
[[Crash signature - RtlFreeHeap]]
[[Firefox crashes due to Adware-DoubleD]]
[[Firefox crashes when you open it]]
[[Firefox never finishes loading certain websites]] (links to online malware scanners/anti-malware tools and malware removal forums)
[[Firefox launches automatically when your computer starts]]
[[Use Internet Explorer messages upon Firefox startup]] (links to online virus scanners, av software sites)
[[Firefox exe is always running]]
[[Firefox launches automatically when your computer starts]]
[[Searches are redirected to another site]] (links to malware removal forums)
[[Pop-up blocker]]
[[Firefox makes unrequested connections]]
[[Clipboard not working]]
[[Basic Troubleshooting]]
Since many of the above articles already link to '''[[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]]''' maybe we could add more information about staying safe online to that article?
Personally, I think that a comprehensive "How to stay safe online" article is probably best left to sites specializing in security and malware removal. Even so, I still think that the [[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]] article could be improved by including more prevention tips and links to additional information, such as the anti-malware software sites and malware removal forums linked here:
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Standard_diagnostic_-_Firefox#Check_for_malware]
The new PluginCheck page, https://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ can be accessed in Firefox 3.6 by opening the "Tools -> Add-ons -> Plugins" window and clicking the "Find Updates" button.
...we should probably make a guide to staying safe online as an Article that we can link people to...
P.S. A very basic way that Firefox users can keep safe online is to '''keep plugins updated. ''' Ref:
http://www.sans.org/top-cyber-security-risks/#patching
The new PluginCheck page, https://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/ can be accessed in Firefox 3.6 by opening the "Tools -> Add-ons -> Plugins" window and clicking the "Find Updates" button.
''...we should probably make a guide to staying safe online as an Article that we can link people to...''
Since many articles that involve malware issues already link to [[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]] I think that "staying safe online" tips should be added there (for now, at least) under [[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware|#General prevention| General prevention]].
The idea of an article about staying safe on the web came up a few weeks ago in a sumo meeting.
Here's the article bug: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=522626
Do you want to take it?
Chris,
Thanks for asking but no, I don't want to write a new article.
I didn't realize that the idea for a new article was previously discussed in a SUMO meeting and that you had already filed a bug. I thought Cww was just asking for ideas and comments.
I commented that Personally, I think that a comprehensive "How to stay safe online" article is probably best left to sites specializing in security and malware removal.
My idea was to add safe browsing tips and "more info" links to the existing Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article (and maybe rename it?) since it's already linked from many other articles that mention malware issues.
'''Chris,'''
Thanks for asking but no, I don't want to write a new article.
I didn't realize that the idea for a new article was previously discussed in a SUMO meeting and that you had already filed a bug. I thought '''Cww''' was just asking for ideas and comments.
I commented that ''Personally, I think that a comprehensive "How to stay safe online" article is probably best left to sites specializing in security and malware removal.''
My idea was to add safe browsing tips and "more info" links to the existing [[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]] article (and maybe rename it?) since it's already linked from many other articles that mention malware issues.
I'm mostly asking for ideas and comments -- I should have searched for a bug. I think Alice has a good point about renaming and revamping Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware but make it more user friendly. I am aware that it's probably "best" left to other sites but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do something as part of an outreach and education effort -- especially since I don't know of a site that does it well.
I'm mostly asking for ideas and comments -- I should have searched for a bug. I think Alice has a good point about renaming and revamping [[Is my Firefox problem a result of malware]] but make it more user friendly. I am aware that it's probably "best" left to other sites but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do something as part of an outreach and education effort -- especially since I don't know of a site that does it well.
''I don't know of a site that does it well. ''
'''Cww,'''
There are so many sites that offer tips for safe browsing, even http://www.mozilla.org/security/#Tips_for_secure_browsing
I also found these in my bookmarks:
[http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/]
(Its Mozilla Firefox section is outdated, though)
[http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Shared/Help.aspx#infected]
