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Swif Firefox Extension: Installation & Overview
Swif Firefox Extension: Installation & Overview
Updated this week

The Swif Firefox Extension provides the same powerful functionality as our Chrome extension—helping organizations manage web access, enforce IT governance, and ensure team-wide compliance across macOS, Windows, and Linux devices running Firefox. With features like custom allowlists/blocklists, Shadow IT detection, and team access controls, the Firefox extension brings you robust security and productivity tools in a single, easy-to-use package.


1. Key Features

  1. Team Access Reading

    • Enable or restrict page access at a team level to centralize shared resources and foster collaboration.

    • Maintain a consistent, policy-driven environment by syncing team permissions across the organization.

  2. Prevent Shadow IT Sign-Ups

    • Automatically block or deter sign-ups to unauthorized services in Firefox.

    • Reduce the risk of employees unknowingly introducing non-compliant tools into your environment.

  3. Custom Blocklists & Allowlists

    • Create web filtering rules that align with your organization’s security and compliance requirements.

    • Precisely control which sites or services are allowed or restricted in Firefox.

  4. Complete Visibility & Control

    • Monitor and manage unapproved software usage with real-time alerts.

    • Gain actionable insights into your team’s browser activities to maintain data security and compliance.


2. System Requirements

  • Firefox (latest version recommended)

  • Supported Operating Systems: macOS, Windows, and Linux

  • A valid Swif account for sign-in and administration


3. Installation Steps

  1. Open Firefox Add-ons

    • In Firefox, navigate to the Add-ons page (type about:addons in your address bar).

  2. Search for “Swif Firefox Extension”

    • Click on “Find more add-ons.”

    • Search for Swif Firefox Extension in the Firefox Add-ons marketplace.

  3. Add to Firefox

    • Locate the Swif Firefox Extension from the results.

    • Click Add to Firefox.

    • When prompted, click “Add” to confirm permissions.

  4. Confirm Installation

    • Upon successful installation, you’ll see the Swif icon in the Firefox toolbar.

    • If not immediately visible, click the Extensions icon (puzzle piece) to manage toolbar visibility.

  5. Sign In or Create an Account

    • Click the Swif icon to launch the extension.

    • Sign in with your Swif credentials or create a new account if you’re new to Swif.

  6. Organization-Wide Deployment

    If you’re an IT admin or have administrator privileges, you can deploy the Swif Chrome Extension across your entire organization, ensuring that all users have the extension automatically installed. To learn how to set this up using your domain’s management tools, refer to How to Deploy Swif Extension Organization-Wide.

    This guide walks you through:

    • Configuring Group Policies (for Windows environments)

    • Using Google Admin Console for Chrome Enterprise setups

    • Managing deployment permissions to ensure a seamless rollout for all users

    By deploying Swif organization-wide, you can centrally manage extension settings, permissions, and updates—helping maintain security and compliance at scale.


4. Using the Swif Firefox Extension

  1. Configure Organizational Settings

    • If you have admin privileges, head to your Swif dashboard to set up organization-wide rules, such as blocklists, allowlists, and Shadow IT alerts.

  2. Team Access Reading

    • Grant or restrict webpage access for specific teams or departments.

    • Keep a record of which web pages are accessible to ensure consistent productivity and policy adherence.

  3. Prevent Shadow IT

    • Enable real-time alerts or blocks when users attempt to sign up for unauthorized tools, safeguarding your team from inadvertent security threats.

  4. Monitor & Control

    • View detailed logs in your Swif dashboard to track extension usage, flagged websites, or blocked sign-ups.

    • Adjust policies as needed to maintain compliance and keep pace with your organization’s evolving requirements.


5. Firefox Extension Policy

For enterprise-level management of the Swif Firefox Extension, administrators can leverage the Firefox Extension Policy. Below is a summary of the policy fields relevant to the Swif extension:

Field Name

Display Name

Value Type

Description

Example

swifChromeExtension

Swif Extension

Boolean

Enable or disable the Swif Firefox Extension.

true or false

install

Install

Array[String]

A list of URLs or native paths for extensions to be installed automatically.

["path/to/swif_ext.xpi"]

uninstall

Uninstall

Array[String]

A list of extension IDs that should be removed if found on the system.

["extension-id@domain"]

locked

Locked

Array[String]

A list of extension IDs that the user cannot disable or uninstall.

["extension-id@domain"]

How to Apply These Policies

  1. Access Your macOS Policy Management Console

    • Ensure your environment supports device-level policy deployment for Firefox.

  2. Configure the Policy Fields

    • Specify whether to enable swifChromeExtension.

    • Provide arrays for install, uninstall, and locked extensions as needed.

  3. Deploy the Policy

    • Push the policy update to the target device groups or devices.

    • Confirm via device-level logs or the Swif dashboard that the extension is installed or locked as intended.

Note: These fields apply specifically to macOS 10.12+ in enterprise-controlled environments. For other operating systems (Windows, Linux), consult your respective deployment tools or contact Swif Support for best practices.


6. Troubleshooting & Support

  • Extension Permissions
    Ensure you’ve allowed the necessary permissions for Swif to function correctly in Firefox.

  • Browser Updates
    Keeping Firefox up to date on macOS, Windows, and Linux helps maintain extension performance and security.

  • Policy Validation
    Double-check your JSON policy configuration if you experience issues with enterprise deployment on macOS.


7. Conclusion

With the Swif Firefox Extension, you can seamlessly extend the same robust governance, collaboration, and Shadow IT protection features found in our Chrome extension to macOS, Windows, and Linux systems running Firefox. By following the installation guide and, where applicable, leveraging the Firefox Extension Policy for organization-wide deployments, you’ll ensure a secure, compliant, and high-productivity environment for all team members—no matter which operating system they use.

Have a question or need help? Visit Swif Support or use the in-app chat to get in touch with our team.

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