[Tip] How to Enable or Disable HTTPS-Only Mode in Mozilla Firefox

Newer versions of Mozilla Firefox web browser (version 83.0 and later) come with a new option “HTTPS-Only Mode” in Firefox Preferences or Options window. In this tutorial, we’ll tell you what is the use of this new feature and how to use it.

When you type a website URL in Firefox web browser, you might have noticed the HTTP or HTTPS words at the beginning of the URL in the addressbar. HTTP and HTTPS are actually names of protocols which create connection between your web browser and the website server. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an old protocol and doesn’t provide much security. The data transferring between your browser and the website server using this protocol can be altered or viewed. On the other hand, HTTPS is an improved and more secure version of this protocol which encrypts the connection between your browser and website using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

It’s always advised to visit websites which use HTTPS protocol for the connection. Almost all websites including bank, organizations, etc use HTTPS protocol for secure encrypted connection.

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A few months back, we told you about a hidden secret preference/flag introduced in Firefox 76.0 and later versions which could be used to force Firefox to always use HTTPS protocol to connect to websites. You can check the tutorial at following link:

[Tip] Enable Hidden Secret HTTPS Only Mode for Websites in Mozilla Firefox

This new feature is called HTTPS-only mode which forces Firefox to always upgrade connections to all websites to secure HTTPS protocol. If a website uses HTTP connection, Firefox will upgrade the connection to HTTPS. If the website doesn’t support HTTPS protocol, you’ll get “Secure connection not available” error page. You’ll still get a button “Continue to HTTP Site” to visit the website using less secure HTTP protocol.

Secure_Connection_Not_Available_HTTPS_Only_Mode_Mozilla_Firefox.png

In past, users had to modify a secret preference/flag using Firefox advanced configuration page (about:config) to activate and enable this new feature.

Now Mozilla has added a UI for this option to direct control this hidden secret feature. You can access the UI option in Firefox Preferences in newer versions of Firefox (version 83.0 and later).

If you also want to apply and activate HTTPS-Only Mode in Mozilla Firefox web browser for improved security, following steps will help you:

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1. Open Firefox and click on the Hamburger icon present at the right-side end of the toolbar to open the main menu. Now click on Options menu to open Firefox settings page.

Alternatively, you can direct option this page using about:preferences command in address bar.

2. Now under “Privacy & Security” tab, scroll down to bottom and you’ll see “HTTPS-Only Mode” section.

Enable_Disable_HTTPS_Only_Mode_Mozilla_Firefox_Preferences.png

3. To enable and activate HTTPS-only mode in Firefox, select “Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows” option.

If you want to enable HTTPS-Only Mode in private or incognito windows only, select “Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in private windows only” option.

If you want to disable HTTPS-Only Mode, select “Don’t enable HTTPS-Only Mode” option.

That’s it.

PS: The previous preferences/flags in about:config page to control this new HTTPS-Only mode still work. Advanced users can still modify those flags to modify HTTPS-Only mode in Firefox. You can set the flags to True or False to enable or disable HTTPS-Only mode feature. For your convenience, we are sharing the flags here:

  • dom.security.https_only_mode (to enable HTTPS-Only mode in all windows)
  • dom.security.https_only_mode_pbm (to enable HTTPS-Only mode in private windows only)

BONUS TIP:

After enabling HTTPS-Only Mode, if you found a website not supporting HTTPS-Only mode and you frequently visit that website, you can disable or turn off HTTPS-Only mode for that website by clicking on Lock icon showing in the address bar and selecting OFF option given in HTTPS-Only Mode drop-down box.

Also Check:

[Fix] HTTPS Errors and Warning Messages on Secure Websites in Mozilla Firefox

[Fix] Some Websites Fail to Load in Mozilla Firefox After Update

Fix “Corrupted Content Error” Message on Websites in Mozilla Firefox

Published in: Mozilla Firefox

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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