20+ Problematic Firefox Extensions/Addons that you Must Avoid Installing

Firefox is considered as the most popular and fastest web browser. The best part of the browser is that it allows the users to use third party extensions or addons to enhance its functionality. But adding so many add-ons can make your web browser run slow. Sometimes the browser utilizes high CPU which forces you to restart the firefox. In past we have already shared an article on How to turn your Firefox Browser Blazingly Fast. If your Firefox web browser is still very slow then the problem may be with the extensions or addons you have already installed. Below is the list of 20 firefox extensions or addons that you must avoid using.

1) Adblock – This is most widely used firefox addon to block the advertisements on web page. This addon might crash Google Gmail Chat. If the OBJ_TABS setting is enabled then the addon may interfere with the Java, Flash or Windows Media Player plugins.

2) Adblock Plus – Most website uses flash content and Adblock Plus interferes with Flash content, on Mac OS X. If you are still keen to use this firefox extension then it is strongly recommended to uncheck “Show Tabs on Flash and Java” in Adblock Plus options.

3) AVG Safe Search – The extension gets installed automatically while installing LinkScanner component of AVG 8 Free Anti-Virus. This firefox extension utilizes high CPU resulting in crashing of the browser. After restarting the firefox browser the cache is purged and you will get an error “already running but is not responding”. You are then forced to kill the firefox in the processes list. Make sure you reinstall AVG 8 without the LinkScanner component.

4) Cooliris – If your browser hangs frequently then cooliris extension may be troubling you. While restarting firefox browser you may get an error message “Firefox is already running but is not responding” or problems with history, bookmarks and toolbar buttons due to a locked Places database. Disable or uninstall the extension.

5) DownThemAll – The firefox addon is very useful in downloading the online videos but it may make your browsing experience very bad. DownThemAll version 1.0 changes “network.http” preferences. Make sure to update to version 1.0.1 and reset these preferences via about:config:

• network.http.max-connections
• network.http.max-connections-per-server
• network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy
• network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server

6) Fasterfox – Most of us install the plugin to make the firefox faster but actually it hangs or slows down Firefox by disabling Prefetching and selecting “Optimized” preset instead of “Turbo”. Fasterfox changes certain settings that can interfere with Web site access. Never install the addon because the change persists even after the plugin is uninstalled. In such case it is recommended to create a new firefox profile.

7) Firebug – The firefox addon is used by webmasters to edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any web page. The addon utilizes excessive CPU which may slow down your browser to a greater extent. Firefox may hang when a pop-up window is accessed. It is recommended to uninstall Firebug.

8) Google Toolbar – If you are using this firefox addon then “Send with GMail” option overrides default mail client. Mail links may stop working in Firefox if the Google Toolbar is uninstalled. Make sure to uncheck “Send with GMail” in Google Toolbar Options. If you have uninstalled the Google Toolbar then use about:config to reset the preference network.protocol-handler.external.mailto to true

9) Skype Extension –

11) Yahoo! Toolbar – Though it is very useful firefox addon but it utilizes excessive CPU memory resulting in crashing of the firefox browser.

12) NoScript – The addon blocks the JavaScript on webpage. If you are browsing a webpage with embedded Windows Media then it might causes an illegal operation in the Windows Media Player plugin. In order to play the media do not block websites that have embedded Windows Media.

13) McAfee SiteAdvisor – The firefox extension is installed automatically as part of a McAfee software suite. Firefox browser may not open once you install the McAfee software suite. Refer SiteAdvisor support article that describes the conflict between SiteAdvisor and automatic proxy configuration scripts in Firefox. To uninstall the addon start Firefox in Safe Mode and navigate to Tools -> Extensions.

14) FlashBlock - All NoScript blocks JavaScript, which is required by FlashBlock Do not use both FlashBlock and NoScript together (NoScript includes Flash-blocking functionality)

15) iMacros – This is one of the most popular firefox addon that is designed to automate the most repetitious tasks on the web. It causes excessive CPU usage which makes the firefox browser extremely slow and un-responsive.

16) LiveHTTPHeaders - Uploading a file locks the file so it cannot be renamed, moved, or deleted. Uninstall LiveHTTPHeaders.

17-20) FlashGot, Woot Watcher, IE Tab and ForecastFox are other such firefox extensions that causes Memory leak resulting in slow speed of the browser.

Make sure that you use Live Bookmarks wisely, if you are using firefox version below 3.1. Delete the Live Bookmarks which you may not be using in future as they takes a long time to load and may hang Firefox.

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Tagged as: Firefox, Firefox Addon