Software:NoScript

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Short description: Extension for Mozilla- and Chromium-based web browsers


NoScript
NoScript icon
Icon prior to 2022
Original author(s)Giorgio Maone
Developer(s)Giorgio Maone
Initial releaseMay 13, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-05-13)[1]
Preview release
11.4.29rc5 / 7 December 2023; 7 months ago (2023-12-07)
Repositoryhttps://github.com/hackademix/noscript
Written inJavaScript, XUL, CSS
Available in45[2] languages
TypeBrowser extension
LicenseGPLv2+
WebsiteNoScript.net

NoScript (or NoScript Security Suite) is a free and open-source extension for Firefox- and Chromium-based web browsers,[3] written and maintained by Giorgio Maone,[4] a software developer and member of the Mozilla Security Group.[5]

Features

The classic NoScript menu in Firefox

Active content blocking

By default, NoScript blocks active (executable) web content, which can be wholly or partially unblocked by allowlisting a site or domain from the extension's toolbar menu or by clicking a placeholder icon.

In the default configuration, active content is globally denied, although the user may turn this around and use NoScript to block specific unwanted content. The allowlist may be permanent or temporary (until the browser closes or the user revokes permissions). Active content may consist of JavaScript, web fonts, media codecs, WebGL, and Flash. The add-on also offers specific countermeasures against security exploits.[6]

Because many web browser attacks require active content that the browser normally runs without question, disabling such content by default and using it only to the degree that it is necessary reduces the chances of vulnerability exploitation. In addition, not loading this content saves significant bandwidth[7] and defeats some forms of web tracking.

NoScript is useful for developers to see how well their site works with JavaScript turned off. It also can remove many irritating web elements, such as in-page pop-up messages and certain paywalls, which require JavaScript in order to function.

NoScript takes the form of a toolbar icon or status bar icon in Firefox. It displays on every website to denote whether NoScript has either blocked, allowed, or partially allowed scripts to run on the web page being viewed. Clicking or hovering (since version 2.0.3rc1[8]) the mouse cursor on the NoScript icon gives the user the option to allow or forbid the script's processing.

NoScript's interface, whether accessed by right-clicking on the web page or the distinctive NoScript box at the bottom of the page (by default), shows the URL of the script(s) that are blocked, but does not provide any sort of reference to look up whether or not a given script is safe to run.[9] With complex webpages, users may be faced with well over a dozen different cryptic URLs and a non-functioning webpage, with only the choice to allow the script, block the script or to allow it temporarily.

On November 14, 2017, Giorgio Maone announced NoScript 10, which will be "very different" from 5.x versions, and will use WebExtension technology, making it compatible with Firefox Quantum.[10] On November 20, 2017, Maone released version 10.1.1 for Firefox 57 and above. NoScript is available for Firefox for Android.[11]

Anti-XSS protection

On April 11, 2007, NoScript 1.1.4.7 was publicly released,[12] introducing the first client-side protection against Type 0 and Type 1 cross-site scripting (XSS) ever delivered in a web browser.

Whenever a website tries to inject HTML or JavaScript code inside a different site (a violation of the same-origin policy), NoScript filters the malicious request and neutralizes its dangerous payload.[13]

Similar features have been adopted years later by Microsoft Internet Explorer 8[14] and by Google Chrome.[15]

Application Boundaries Enforcer (ABE)

The Application Boundaries Enforcer (ABE) is a built-in NoScript module meant to harden the web application-oriented protections already provided by NoScript, by delivering a firewall-like component running inside the browser.

This "firewall" is specialized in defining and guarding the boundaries of each sensitive web application relevant to the user (e.g., plug-ins, webmail, online banking, and so on), according to policies defined directly by the user, the web developer/administrator, or a trusted third party.[16] In its default configuration, NoScript's ABE provides protection against CSRF and DNS rebinding attacks aimed at intranet resources, such as routers and sensitive web applications.[17]

ClearClick (anti-clickjacking)

NoScript's ClearClick feature,[18] released on October 8, 2008, prevents users from clicking on invisible or "redressed" page elements of embedded documents or applets, defeating all types of clickjacking (i.e., from frames and plug-ins).[19]

This makes NoScript "the only freely available product which offers a reasonable degree of protection against clickjacking attacks.[20]

HTTPS enhancements

NoScript can force the browser to always use HTTPS when establishing connections to some sensitive sites, in order to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. This behavior can be triggered either by the websites themselves, by sending the Strict Transport Security header, or configured by users for those websites that don't support Strict Transport Security yet.[21]

NoScript's HTTPS enhancement features have been used by the Electronic Frontier Foundation as the basis of its HTTPS Everywhere add-on.[22]

Awards

  • PC World chose NoScript as one of the 100 Best Products of 2006.[23]
  • In 2008, NoScript won About.com's "Best Security Add-On" editorial award.[24]
  • In 2010, NoScript was "The Reader's Choice Awards" winner in the "Best Privacy/Security Add-On" category at About.com.[25]
  • In 2011, for the second year in a row, NoScript was "The Reader's Choice Awards" winner in the "Best Privacy/Security Add-On" category at About.com.[26]
  • NoScript was the 2011 (first edition) winner of the Dragon Research Group's "Security Innovation Grant". This award is given to the most innovative project in the area of information security, as judged by an independent committee.[27]

Conflicts

Conflict with Adblock Plus

In May 2009, it was reported that an "extension war" had broken out between NoScript's developer, Giorgio Maone, and the developers of the Firefox ad-blocking extension Adblock Plus after Maone released a version of NoScript that circumvented a block enabled by an AdBlock Plus filter.[28][29] The code implementing this workaround was "camouflaged"[28] to avoid detection. Maone stated that he had implemented it in response to a filter that blocked his own website. After mounting criticism and a declaration by the administrators of the Mozilla Add-ons site that the site would change its guidelines regarding add-on modifications,[30] Maone removed the code and issued a full apology.[28][31]

Conflict with Ghostery

In the immediate aftermath of the Adblock Plus incident,[32] a spat arose between Maone and the developers of the Ghostery add-on after Maone implemented a change on his website that disabled the notification Ghostery used to report web tracking software.[33] This was interpreted as an attempt to "prevent Ghostery from reporting on trackers and ad networks on NoScript's websites".[32] In response, Maone stated that the change was made because Ghostery's notification obscured the donation button on the NoScript site.[34] This conflict was resolved when Maone changed his site's CSS to move—rather than disable—the Ghostery notification.[35]

See also

Note: This topic belongs to "Free and open-source software" portal


References

  1. ↑ "Version 1.0". NoScript. Mozilla Addons. 2005-05-13. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/versions/?page=15#version-1.0.1. 
  2. ↑ Supported language on noscript.net.
  3. ↑ "NoScript Extension Officially Released for Google Chrome". ZDNet. https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/noscript-extension-officially-released-for-google-chrome/. 
  4. ↑ "Meet the NoScript Developer". Mozilla. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/developers. 
  5. ↑ "Mozilla Security Group". Mozilla. https://www.mozilla.org/projects/security/secgrouplist.html. 
  6. ↑ Scott Orgera. "NoScript". About.com. http://browsers.about.com/od/48/gr/noscript.htm. 
  7. ↑ "The effect of Firefox addons on bandwidth consumption :: IANIX". https://ianix.com/pub/firefox-addons-and-bandwidth-consumption.html. 
  8. ↑ "NoScript Changelog 2.0.3rc1". noscript.net. https://noscript.net/changelog#2.0.3rc1. 
  9. ↑ Brinkman, Martin (February 10, 2014). "The Firefox NoScript guide you have all been waiting for". http://www.ghacks.net/2014/02/10/firefox-noscript-guide-waiting/. 
  10. ↑ Giorgio Maone (2017-11-14). "Double NoScript". Hackademix.net. https://hackademix.net/2017/11/14/double-noscript/. 
  11. ↑ "Cosmetic Changes by Issa1553 · Pull Request #28 · hackademix/noscript" (in en). https://github.com/hackademix/noscript/pull/28. 
  12. ↑ NoScript's first Anti-XSS release Mozilla Add-ons
  13. ↑ NoScript Features-Anti-XSS protection NoScript.net. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  14. ↑ Nathan Mc Fethers (2008-07-03). "NoScript vs Internet Explorer 8 Filters". ZDNet. http://zdnet.com/blog/security/noscript-vs-internet-explorer-8-filters/1421. 
  15. ↑ Adam Barth (2010-01-26). "Security in Depth: New Security Features". Google. https://blog.chromium.org/2010/01/security-in-depth-new-security-features.html. 
  16. ↑ Giorgio Maone. "Application Boundaries Enforcer (ABE)". NoScript.net. https://noscript.net/abe. 
  17. ↑ Giorgio Maone (2010-07-28). "ABE Patrols Routes to Your Routers". Hackademix.net. https://hackademix.net/2010/07/28/abe-patrols-the-routes-to-your-routers/. 
  18. ↑ "NoScript - JavaScript/Java/Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience! - faq - InformAction". https://noscript.net/faq#clearclick. 
  19. ↑ Giorgio Maone (2008-10-08). "Hello ClearClick, Goodbye Clickjacking". Hackademix.net. https://hackademix.net/2008/10/08/hello-clearclick-goodbye-clickjacking/. 
  20. ↑ Michal Zalewski (2008-12-10). "Browser Security Handbook, Part 2, UI Redressing". Google Inc.. https://code.google.com/p/browsersec/wiki/Part2#Arbitrary_page_mashups_(UI_redressing). 
  21. ↑ NoScript FAQ: HTTPS NoScript.net. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  22. ↑ HTTPS Everywhere
  23. ↑ PC World Award pcworld.com. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  24. ↑ About.com 2008 Best Security Add-On Award about.com. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  25. ↑ Best Privacy/Security Add-On 2010 about.com. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  26. ↑ Best Privacy/Security Add-On 2011 about.com. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  27. ↑ Security Innovation Grant Winner Announcement Dragon Research Group. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Goodin, Dan. "Firefox users caught in crossfire of warring add-ons". The Register. http://theregister.co.uk/2009/05/04/firefox_extension_wars/. 
  29. ↑ "Extension wars – NoScript vs. AdblockPlus". Ajaxian. http://ajaxian.com/archives/extension-wars-noscript-vs-adblockplus. 
  30. ↑ "No Surprises". 2009-05-01. https://blog.mozilla.com/addons/2009/05/01/no-surprises/. 
  31. ↑ Dear Adblock Plus and NoScript Users, Dear Mozilla Community
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Attention all NoScript users[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  33. ↑ Greg Yardley (2009-05-04). "When blockers block the blockers". yardlay.ca. http://yardley.ca/2009/05/04/when-blockers-block-the-blockers/. 
  34. ↑ NoScript support forum "Re: Latest NoScript version (1.9.2) breaks Adblock Plus", comment #3704, Giorgio Maone (2009-05-04)
  35. ↑ NoScript support forum "Re: Additional steps to regain and retain user trust", comment #3935, Giorgio Maone (2009-05-06)

External links



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