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Is there a way to "lock" keyword.URL?

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Bill J.

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Nov 21, 2009, 8:31:16 PM11/21/09
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On my parent's computers, the preference "keyword.URL" keeps getting
hijacked by third party programs. I don't have direct control over
their machines, but both they and I know what string they want to be
the default search in keyword.URL.

Given all of that, is there any way to "lock" keyword.URL, so that it
can only be changed directly by a real user, and never by a third
party program without explicit user consent?

Stefan Pradel

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Nov 22, 2009, 2:47:35 PM11/22/09
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Bill J. schrieb:

IMHO the solution to such a problem should be eliminating the malicious
programs, instead of changing settings in other programs running on the
machine.
Tell your parents to install antivirus software and such. That should help.

Bill J.

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Nov 22, 2009, 7:29:16 PM11/22/09
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I have already tried that. Many of the programs that hijack
keyword.URL are not considered malware though.

What I'd really like is a way to do what I asked, lock the access to
keyword.URL.

Failing that, I'd like to see a definitive, provable statement that
what I want is completely impossible.

Bill J.

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Nov 25, 2009, 12:23:42 PM11/25/09
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So, does anyone know how I can protect keyword.URL on a machine that I
cannot personally oversee on a continual basis?

Bill J.

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Dec 11, 2009, 2:14:46 AM12/11/09
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Well, does anyone else have any thoughts on this? I could really use a
persistent solution for this which I can set when I visit my parents
and doesn't require my attention thereafter.

Fox on the run

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Dec 15, 2009, 12:38:08 PM12/15/09
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One solution would be to create a user.js file that contains that
about:config preference in it with the static value you desire.
Easiest way is to ensure the preference is properly set and exit
Firefox. Then copy/paste prefs.js to user.js. Edit user.js and
remove whatever you don't want to make static, leaving only what you
want to keep static (i.e. home page for some people, keyword.url,
etc). Save the file and you are done. This won't stop something from
changing it during a browsing session. However when you exit Firefox
any settings in user.js are re-written to prefs.js, thus resetting it
to your desired static setting.

user.js file is more likely used in corporate environments. However
some could use it in a home environment to prevent kids (or
parents :) ) from permanently changing certain settings.

JB

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