Category Archives: Firefox

Firefox Rolls Out Total Cookie Protections By Default To All Users



Firefox announced that it is rolling out Total Cookie Protection by default to all Firefox users worldwide, making Firefox the most private and secure major browser available across Windows, Mac and Linux.

According to Firefox, Total Cookie Protection is Firefox’s strongest privacy protection to date, confining cookies to the site where they were created, thus preventing tracking companies from using these cookies to track your browsing from site to site.

Total Cookie Protection works by creating a separate “cookie jar” for each website you visit. Instead of allowing trackers to link up your behavior on multiple sites, they just get to see the behavior on individual sites. Any time a website, or third-party-content embedded in a website deposits a cookie in your browser, that cookie is confined to the cookie jar assigned only to that website.

No other websites can reach into cookie jars that don’t belong to them and find out what the other websites’ cookies know about you – giving you freedom from invasive ads and reducing the amount of information companies gather about you.

Firefox says that this approach strikes the balance between eliminating the worst privacy properties of third-party-cookies – in particular the ability to track you – and allowing those cookies to fulfill their less invasive use cases (e.g. to provide accurate analytics). With Total Cookie Protection in Firefox, people can enjoy better privacy and have the great privacy experience they’ve come to know and expect.

Engadget reported that Mozilla launched the Total Cookie Protection feature in 2021 and previously enabled it by default only when users switch on Firefox’s privacy mode. Now, all Firefox users on desktop can enjoy the benefits it brings without having to toggle anything on.

According to Engadget, Microsoft’s Edge also has tools to block tracking cookies, but users have to manually switch to “Strict” mode to be able to prevent most cookies from tracking them across websites. DuckDuckGo’s browser has a focus on privacy, but its search agreement with Microsoft prevents it from blocking certain trackers.

Apple has instructions for Safari users who want to prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on Mac. There are simple directions for how do that. There is also an option to block all cookies. However, Safari warns that that some websites may not work if you enable Safari to block all cookies.

Overall, I’m happy with Safari. I’m going to start using Firefox when I look at social media sites because I think it will do a better job of preventing tracking and blocking cookies. If you use Safari’s “block all cookies” function – it makes websites unusable.


Latest Version of Firefox Lets You Track the Trackers



The Mozilla Blog posted detailed information about all the ways the Firefox browser brings privacy protections front and center and lets you track the trackers.

In September of 2019, Mozilla announced that Firefox will block third-party tracking, cookies, and cryptomining. They released Enhanced Tracking Protection that would be turned on by default for all Firefox users worldwide as part of the “Standard” setting in the Firefox browser.

But now with growing threats to your privacy, it’s clear that you need more visibility into how you’re being tracked online so you can better combat it. That’s why today we’re introducing a new feature that offers you a free report outlining the number of third-party and social media trackers blocked automatically by the Firefox browser with Enhanced Tracking Protection.

The Firefox Privacy Protections report includes:

See how many times Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks an attempt to tag you with cookies. Part of the Enhanced Tracking Protection prevents third-party trackers from building a profile of you based on your online activity. Now, you’ll see the number of cross-site and social media trackers, fingerprinters, and cryptominers blocked on your behalf.

Keep up to date on data breaches with Firefox Mozilla. Now, you can view at a glance a summary of the number of unsafe passwords that have been used in a breach, so that you can take action to change those passwords.

Manage your passwords and synced devices with Firefox Lockwise. Now, you can get a brief look at the number of passwords you have safely stored with Firefox Lockwise. They also added a button where you can click to view your logins and update. You’ll also have the ability to quickly view and manage how many devices you are syncing and sharing your passwords with.

I’ve been using the Firefox browser since Mozilla added the protections in September. I like that it prevents someone else from using my computer for cryptomining. I’m also happy that Firefox blocks tracking, prevents cookies, and stops websites from collecting my data.


Firefox will Block Third-Party Tracking Cookies and Cryptomining



Mozilla announced that Firefox 69 on desktop and Android will, by default, empower all users by blocking third-party tracking cookies and cryptominers. Mozilla calls this a major step in their multi-year effort to bring stronger, usable, privacy protections to everyone using Firefox.

For today’s release, Enhanced Tracking Protection will automatically be turned on by default for all users worldwide as part of the ‘Standard’ setting in the Firefox browser and will block known “third-party tracking cookies” according to the Disconnect list.

Mozilla notes that they first enabled this default feature for new users in June of 2019. Mozilla also points out that over 20% of Firefox users have Enhanced Tracking Protection on. With this new release, they expect to provide protection for 100% of their users by default.

Enhanced Tracking Protection, Mozilla explains, works behind-the-scenes to keep a company from forming a profile of you based on their tracking of your browsing behavior across websites – often without your consent or knowledge. Those profiles and information may be sold for purposes that you never knew or intended.

How can you tell when Enhanced Tracking Protection is working? It is working when you visit a site and see a shield icon in the address bar.

In addition, Firefox 69 will protect users from cryptominers, who attempt to access the CPU of other people’s computers in order to generate cryptocurrency for themselves. The option to block cryptominers is included in the ‘Standard Mode’ of the Content Blocking preferences in Firefox 69.

I love when companies make an effort to protect the privacy of their users. It is a rare thing in today’s world, were so many websites and corporations feel that they are entitled to harvest as much data as they can grab. It is also good that Mozilla’s Firefox 69 will block cryptominers. It is wrong (and incredibly selfish) to sneakily access someone else’s computer for the purpose of cryptomining.


YEZZ Introduces Firefox OS Devices at CES



YEZZ Firefox OS DevicesYEZZ introduces two new devices that feature Firefox OS with 3.5” and 4” displays at CES. Both models feature well-rounded lines and crisp colors with Mozilla’s mobile operating system, Firefox OS.

YEZZ now offers Firefox OS running web-based apps. These web apps provide access to device functions formally available only to native apps, such as camera functions. Mozilla has allied with 18 (and counting) partners for their operating system including the giant Telefonica with YEZZ as one of their recent global suppliers. YEZZ with Firefox OS will address the global need for affordable smartphones, opening the gates of the mobile web to those previously denied access due to the inaccessible pricing of smartphones.

Visit YEZZ and check out their new Firefox OS Devices at South Hall Stand 31 247 at CES.


First Firefox OS smartphones hitting the market



firefox phoneFor a year now we have known that Mozilla was developing its own mobile operating system. There has even been a preview version you could run with the Firefox web browser and developer handsets available, though these sold out very quickly.

Now the launch is at hand, as the first handset will be going on sale through Telefonica in Spain. “Mozilla, the mission-based organization dedicated to keeping the power of the Web in people’s hands, today announced that the regional launches of Firefox OS smartphones will begin soon. Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica will release the first Firefox OS devices, the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH Fire and the ZTE Open, soon. Individual partners will announce specifics about launches in each market soon” says Mozilla.

Mozilla boasts that Firefox OS smartphones are the first devices powered completely by Web technologies. The handsets will have the basic — calls, messaging, email, camera. There are also things you wish a smartphone offered. Firefox OS also includes built-in social features with Facebook and Twitter, HERE Maps with offline capabilities and smart walking, driving and public transit directions, much-loved features like the Firefox Web browser, a new ability to discover one-time use and downloadable apps, Firefox Marketplace and much more.

Other markets will be coming soon, as Mozilla boasts of more than 20 hardware and operator partners around the world, the organization hopes to fill a niche market with low-priced smartphones.


Firefox adds new “health” feature



logoNo, Mozilla is not going to diagnose your sinus infection, but it plans to help with the health of your Firefox web browser. It is not currently in the stable build, but the company is testing this new feature for future builds.

The Firefox Health Report is a new system Mozilla has built to log basic health information about your browser (time to start up, total running time, number of crashes, etc.). The company claims “the initial report is pretty simple, but it will evolve and grow in the coming months. You’ll be able to use it as a window into many aspects of your browser’s performance and health, both in absolute terms, as well as in comparison to the global Firefox user base”.

The health report is enabled by default in Firefox but, if you don’t want your browser health information added to the pool then you can disable data sending either from the report itself, or from the Firefox preferences window.

The browser already blocks insecure and unstable plugins, restores tabs and content after crashes and detects phishing and malware sites before they can attack. This new feature just takes the service to the next level.


EyeMirror



EyeMirror The EyeMirror adapter combined with the GoPro 3 camera has created the world’s first 360 degree compact 4K camera. They have modified the optics of the GoPro. The frame rate while the camera with the EyeMirror adapter is in 360 mode will run at twenty-four frames per second, compared to twelve frames per second on the regular GoPro 3. It can output a 4k video. It works underwater down to hundred fifty feet, great for scuba divers, snorkelers, and surfers.

EyeMirror is getting interest from Disney, the military, law enforcement and many more. The whole kit which includes the EyeMirror plus the GoPro 3 will be around $800.00 expect six-eight weeks for delivery. You can find more information about EyeMirror and its many possibilities at the EyeMirror

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net.

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