FormFox for Windows

Ever wonder just where your personal data is going when you click Send? Why worry; it's the Internet, so it's safe, right? Now that we have your attention, we'll tell you about FormFox, a free Firefox extension that displays the form action for data entry fields. In other words, it shows you the destination URL of any Web-based data entry field before you hit Send (or Enter, or the intimidating Submit). It works for search boxes, name fields, your address, order forms, text boxes, and virtually any Web-based entry field.

We're used to browser extensions that do a lot with a little, but FormFox is only 7.84KB in size, so it's about as small as (useful) add-ons get. We installed the extension, restarted Firefox, and browsed to several sites with data entry fields, including search engines, Web-based storage sites, and sites requiring log-ins. In nearly every case, all we had to do was enter data in the appropriate fields and mouse over to the Enter button, and FormFox displayed the destination URL in a small pop-up. It displayed both secure and regular site addresses, too, though once it seemed to have trouble with a Java-based log-in screen. FormFox has no options (at 7.84KB, where would it put them?) but hardly needs any. We could view release notes and other documentation on its Web page, accessible via the extension's Firefox manager page.

Our only concern about FormFox is that it's so small and unobtrusive that you might forget to use it. We recommend making a habit of using it when you first install it. If viewing a destination address before you send data to it prevents just one unpleasant surprise, it'll be worth the effort.