Mac Security: Firefox add-ons safe?

[the.orange.tuba]

Are Firefox add-ons, extensions, plug-ins etc. downloaded from Firefox's site safe on a Mac? What about when an add-on updates? Does Firefox police any of this?

I just read a USA Today article today about online Banks and browsers being infected and allowing hackers to get access to passwords and accounts. If you are interested:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-07-29-online-banking-security_N.htm

I'm not picking on Firefox, I happen to be using Firefox and that's why I am asking.

Any thoughts in general regarding my question or the article? Thanks.

 

[Caleb531]

They are absolutely safe. The only ones that are possibly unsafe are ones marked as "not reviewed by Mozilla" (there aren't many of those).

 

[angelwatt]

Mozilla has a review process that includes automated tools that scan the add-ons as well as some peer reviewing. There was an incident where the scanning wasn't being done properly and a few bad ones got through, but that was the exception. Here's an example of one such time where an experimental add-on had a trojan that effect Windows users. And here's an example where a virus came through the Vietnamese language pack. These are very rare though and haven't impacted OSX as of yet.

So, yes they are considered very safe, though not always stable, but even that has gotten better over the years.

 

[the.orange.tuba]

xMarks?

Cool, thanks for your replies regarding Firefox add-ons.

Do we know anything about xMarks? Who they are? Would you trust them with YOUR passwords? Thanks.

 

[Caleb531]

Cool, thanks for your replies regarding Firefox add-ons.

Do we know anything about xMarks? Who they are? Would you trust them with YOUR passwords? Thanks.

If you're so concerned about safety, read the add-on's comments. It's a popular add-on, so I wouldn't really worry.