Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by m463 2074 days ago
Here is the stuff I couldn't shut off:

  firefox.settings.services.mozilla.com
  shavar.services.mozilla.com
  aus5.mozilla.org
2 comments
cpeterso 2074 days ago
Shavar is the server from which Firefox downloads update to its Safe Browsing and Tracking Protection site lists. “Shavar” is the name of the differential update protocol Google designed and uses for Chrome Safe Browsing site list.

aus5 is the server from which Firefox downloads new Firefox updates. “aus” stands for Auto Update Service.

I’m not exactly what data is downloaded from firefox.settings.services.mozilla.com.

link
cdubzzz 2074 days ago
Settings one is interesting, it does appear that you cannot block it[0] and that is sad.

The other two appear to be safe browsing and automatic update related. Those two services can be disabled form the regular settings UI, I think? Have you found that to not work?

[0] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-stop-firefox-making...

link
m463 2074 days ago
It did not work for a long time

Then I blocked it and got this constant nag pane "Firefox cannot update to the latest version". all. the. time.

I finally found out some magic on macos:

  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox DisableAppUpdate -bool TRUE
  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox EnterprisePoliciesEnabled -bool TRUE
that got rid of the nag pane
link
cdubzzz 2074 days ago
Interesting reference re: the settings URL: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1598562#c13

Reasoning there seems good enough but I’m not sold on it being absolutely required.

link