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Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 4 scripts
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

Firefox's Safe Browsing feature, now referred to as Phishing Protection, is still internally recognized as "Safe Browsing" 1.

To provide protection against phishing and malware, Firefox transmits the following data:

  1. Partial address information for visited webpages 2.
  2. Details such as name, origin, size, and hash of contents for downloaded files 2.

This data is sent to Google Safe Browsing 2 to aid in issuing warnings for downloaded files and visited sites 2.

While Phishing Protection bolsters your security, it may decrease your privacy as it involves sending data about the websites you visit and files you download to Google 12.

There have been concerns about the potential for Google Safe Browsing to be used for censorship in the future, although this has not occurred as of yet 3.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system backup before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy​

  • Military-grade privacy protection
  • Major system impact
  • Consider having system backup.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 4 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Mozilla Firefox, colloquially known as Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser created by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla C...

— Configure Firefox

Same Goal​

Other guides in Configure Firefox See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Harden Firefox privacy
Disable Firefox telemetry
Disable Firefox Pioneer program
Disable connection tests (breaks automatic Wi-Fi login)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process