Locking down Firefox configuration?

November 8, 2006 4:49 PM

Looking for a Firefox extension that limits access to Options configuration.

Is there a Firefox extension that I can install that will allow me to limit who can modify application configuration options?

Specifically, I want to preclude my kids from accessing or modifying the proxy settings once I set it to parental-fascist blocking service. It looks to me like there isn't a way to do this out of the box, so I'm hoping someone's built an add-on for it.

posted by hwestiii to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Have you prevented them from installing their own copy or another browser, or simply from running unauthorized programs? Or booting a LiveCD?

I'd redirect all traffic at the demarcation line (i.e. your router) to the proxy if it's not.. that is, only the proxy machine gets access to the outside on port 80. Or maybe just trust them to use the Internet how they'd like, but, that's your call.
posted by kcm at 5:01 PM on November 8, 2006

How about removing the options menu with MenuEditor? Not too hard to get around, but does obfuscate things somewhat.

You can even hide the extensions ('Add-ons' in 2.0) option, and use the hotkey (ctrl-shift-S IIRC) to access the MenuEditor dialog.
posted by SpookyFish at 5:47 PM on November 8, 2006

If they're savvy enough to modify proxy settings, they can probably get around anything else you come up with if they happen to be so inclined.
posted by juv3nal at 1:33 AM on November 9, 2006

You might want to look at 'kiosk mode' extensions, although I haven't used any and they might be overkill for you.
posted by jacalata at 5:09 AM on November 9, 2006