How To Turn Off Automatic Virus Scan in Firefox during Download

Since the release of Firefox version 3, Mozilla has invested auto virus scanning of every file that you downloaded in Firefox browser. This is done mozilla to give extra protection, especially protection from malicious files or files that are infected by the virus code and malicious code. Auto scanning feature of firefox you can only enjoy in Windows-based operating system and will only work if there are antivirus applications installed on your windows. With virus scanning auto fitus this then firefox will do a virus scan immediately after the file download process is complete.

Auto firefox virus scanning will also be doing a virus scan when you do run the file, open the containing folder, open the download page or copy download link. The scanning process only takes a few seconds longer but it will increase in line with the large size of the file.

Indeed this feature is highly recommended to stay active and proven to increase your security when downloading files from the internet. But one thing that might make this feature you do not really need, namely that the new anti-virus, antivirus are now equipped with realtime protection that will scan just before the file accessed or executed.

If you already use antivirus and internet security is a relatively new, so almost all provide realtime protection, so the auto feature of virus scanning is not firefox you need more. The good news is, you can turn off the auto feature of firefox virus protection.

Here's how to turn off auto virus scanning feature of firefox, before switching off this feature, make sure if you already have an antivirus with real-time protection:

1. open firefox

2. in the address bar type about: config and press enter

3. Just click the notification button I'll be careful, I Promise!

4. In the filter field type and press enter browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone

5. Browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone will appear with the default preference value indicating true auto firefox virus scanning active set

6. To disable it, double click the browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone preference. When you double-click, then it becomes false value indicating that the virus auto scan feature has been disabled.

7. After doing the above step, Firefox will no longer do after you finish scanning downloaded files, etc.. To activate it, you can change back to true value.