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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Sat 17 Nov 2012, 22:50 Post subject:
FireFox browser stores readable thumbnails [SOLVED] Subject description: 2012 releases of FireFox stores screenshots where text is readable |
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I only just noticed this issue, apparently it's been known for about six months ... http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/firefox-thumbnails-could-expose-private-data-fix-coming-soon/12568
2012 releases of FireFox browser store thumbnails of webpages you've visited which have sufficient resolution to allow possibly sensitive data to be read from these thumbnail-screenshots.
The thumbnails are big by thumbnail standards : some are over 60kB (.png), one is attached, most of the text is readable if you enlarge the image ...
Description |
FireFox thumbnail (screenshot) |
Filesize |
23.76 KB |
Viewed |
1341 Time(s) |

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Last edited by Barkin on Mon 19 Nov 2012, 19:30; edited 1 time in total
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postfs1
Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 820
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Posted: Sun 18 Nov 2012, 01:17 Post subject:
Re: FireFox browser stores readable thumbnails (screenshots) Subject description: 2012 releases of FireFox stores screenshots where text is readable |
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Firefox ---> MENU ---> Edit/Preferences/Content: [ EMPTY ] Load images automatically [[ Exceptions... ]]
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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Sun 18 Nov 2012, 03:00 Post subject:
Re: FireFox browser stores readable thumbnails (screenshots) Subject description: 2012 releases of FireFox stores screenshots where text is readable |
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postfs1 wrote: | Firefox ---> MENU ---> Edit/Preferences/Content: [ EMPTY ] Load images automatically [[ Exceptions... ]] |
That won't stop the screenshot "thumbnails" from being displayed when "NewTab" is selected in FireFox,
nor does it prevent these screenshot images being saved in the FireFox folder on the computer.
Nor does the "fix" suggested by mozilla ...
Mozilla.org wrote: | If you are concerned about your privacy, you can turn this feature off completely:
In the Location bar, type about:config and press EnterReturn.
The about:config "This might void your warranty!" warning page may appear. Click I'll be careful, I promise!, to continue to the about:config page.
Type browser.newtab.url in the search box.
Double-click the browser.newtab.url preference and change the url from about:newtab to about:blank. Alternately, you can change it to about:home for the Firefox Google home page, or type in your preferred home page, for example google.com.
Click OK and close the about:config tab.
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http://support.mozilla.org
Doing as Mozilla suggest does stop the screenshot "thumbnails" from being displayed in the browser, but they still exist and accumulate in the FireFox thumbnail folder.
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postfs1
Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Posts: 820
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Posted: Sun 18 Nov 2012, 12:18 Post subject:
Re: FireFox browser stores readable thumbnails (screenshots) Subject description: 2012 releases of FireFox stores screenshots where text is readable |
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postfs1 wrote: | Firefox ---> MENU ---> Edit/Preferences/Content: [ EMPTY ] Load images automatically [[ Exceptions... ]] |
(by the way, now i have an opportunity to watch YOUTUBE.COM without NVIDIA PROPRIETARY DRIVER)
plus
Firefox ---> MENU ---> Edit/Preferences/Advanced/Network: Offline storage: Use up to [ 0 ] MB of space for the cache
If there is NO GOOD RESULT, then:
Firefox ---> MENU ---> Edit/Preferences/Content: Fonts&Colors: SMALLEST FONTS(perhaps not standard, and also, not those fonts, which the page is waiting)
In such a case: Firefox ---> MENU ---> View ---> Zoom ---> ...
Note: the work what has been done here is just for creation of the approximate scheme, because there was no access to fresh version of web browser.
Last edited by postfs1 on Thu 22 Nov 2012, 21:05; edited 4 times in total
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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Sun 18 Nov 2012, 22:14 Post subject:
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So far the only solution I have found is to have FireFox delete all history when the browser is closed. The FireFox thumbnail folder is cleared along with history.
But I'd prefer to keep history, I'd just like the option of not having the screenshot-thumbnails saved, ( which could contain sensitive data like bank card numbers, emails, etc ).
Within Puppy it may be possible to symlink the FireFox screenshot-thumbnail directory to the tmp (temporary) directory, so the screenshot-thumbnails are deleted on shutdown. (whilst retaining history).
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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Mon 19 Nov 2012, 03:13 Post subject:
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If you're on Windows and have got CCleaner apparently there's a fix ... http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=36927&view=findpost&p=222297
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puppy_apprentice

Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 184
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Posted: Mon 19 Nov 2012, 09:47 Post subject:
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try to add new option to firefox config:
in address bar write:
and add this option as boolean (New->Boolean):
Code: | browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled |
and set it to true, restart firefox
maybe will works and don't make new webshots
for more info chceck via google: "browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled" or "about:config"
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2byte
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 357
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Posted: Mon 19 Nov 2012, 12:25 Post subject:
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Thanks puppy_apprentice
browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled works after clearing the cache and restarting Firefox.
A new tab page still showed the picture squares with the web sites listed beneath. To turn those off, and also get rid of the 9 little squares at the top right of the blank page, I did this
about:config
Search for -- browser.newtab.url
Change the value (url) from about:newtab to about:blank
_________________
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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Mon 19 Nov 2012, 19:29 Post subject:
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puppy_apprentice wrote: | ... add this option as boolean (New->Boolean):
Code: | browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled |
and set it to true, restart firefox |
Thanks puppy_apprentice that fixed it for me.
puppy_apprentice wrote: | maybe will works and don't make new webshots |
The Firefox high-resolution screenshots thumbnail folder remains empty after I deleted its contents
Description |
The location of the Firefox high-resolution screenshot "thumbnails" in Puppy Linux |
Filesize |
12.81 KB |
Viewed |
1082 Time(s) |

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puppy_apprentice

Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 184
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Posted: Fri 23 Nov 2012, 04:22 Post subject:
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2byte wrote: |
Search for -- browser.newtab.url
Change the value (url) from about:newtab to about:blank
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or u could prepare own html page (simple portal) with favorite links (like Barry's Blog, this forum etc.) and/or search form with multiple search options and change <url> to eg. path/mynewtab.html
some info to make own multiple search form:
http://www.infolink.org/engine/
http://www.mediacollege.com/internet/javascript/form/multi-search.html
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Bligh
Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 484 Location: California
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Posted: Fri 23 Nov 2012, 16:00 Post subject:
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My FF does not store tn's. I always set history and cache to zero. It does not save pw's either.
Cheers
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Bligh
Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 484 Location: California
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Posted: Fri 30 Nov 2012, 15:31 Post subject:
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The thread is marked (solved) what did you do to solve the issue ?
Cheers
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Barkin

Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 823
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Posted: Fri 30 Nov 2012, 15:51 Post subject:
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Bligh wrote: | ... what did you do to solve the issue ? |
I applied Puppy_apprentice's solution ... http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=665584#665584
which requires adding a line to FireFox's config(uration).
Then I deleted the contents of the Firefox thumbnail folder.
So I still retain browsing history, but don't have giant readable screenshot thumbnails.
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Bligh
Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 484 Location: California
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Posted: Fri 30 Nov 2012, 16:51 Post subject:
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Thanks, I may try that.
Cheers
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