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Firefox 91.0 Released with Enhanced Cookie Clearing / Https-First Policy

Last updated: August 11, 2021 — Leave a comment

Mozilla Firefox 91.0 is available with more than 1200 bug-fixes, new major privacy enhancement, and other features.

The release introduced more comprehensive logic for clearing cookies. With Firefox Strict Mode, you can clear a site data including embed content, such as images, videos and scripts, from other websites. This “cross-site” content was previously left behind.

You can now clear cookies and site data for current page by clicking the SSL lock icon in url bar. Or by right-clicking on sites under History menu and select ‘Forgot About This Site’.

For all sites, go to Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Cookies and Site Data. There you can click on “Manage Data” to search a site or remove all sites.

Firefox 91 now https first in Private Browsing windows. Even by clicking or entering http site in url, it tries to connect https first if available.

Other changes include:

Supports logging into Microsoft, work, and school accounts using Windows single sign-on.
Add Simplified option back in print settings.
New locale: Scots (sco)
The address bar now provides Switch to Tab results also in Private Browsing windows.
Automatic High Contrast Mode when “Increase Contrast” is checked on MacOS
10-20% improvement in response time to most user interactions.
Various security fixes.

How to Install Firefox 91:

Usually, Ubuntu publishes the new Firefox packages through the security & updates repositories. So just wait and keep your system updated. It’s will be available in next few days.

Alternatively, see the release note and download the portable package from Firefox website.

In News Firefox

Mozilla Firefox 90.0 Released with SmartBlock 2.0

Last updated: July 13, 2021

Mozilla Firefox released version 90.0 today with some new features and various security fixes.

Firefox 90 introduced the 2.0 version of SmartBlock. The built-in tracker blocking mechanism now provides robust privacy protection, while ensuring you can still use third-party Facebook logins. Facebook scripts are all blocked, just as before, except the short period for the sign-in to proceed smoothly.

For HTTPS-Only Mode, there’s now an option to add exceptions. So that you can visit specified HTTP websites directly without HTTPS-only alerts.

Other changes in Firefox 90 include:

Apply updates in the background while Firefox in not running for Windows.
New about:third-party page to help identify compatibility issues
Print to PDF now produces working hyperlinks
The “Open Image in New Tab” context menu now opens images and media in a background tab
Improved software WebRender performance
Removed FTP support.

How to Get Firefox 90:

Normally, Ubuntu will publish the new Firefox packages through the security & updates repositories in next few days.

You can just wait until it being available to update in Software Updater:

Alternatively, see the release note and download the portable package from Firefox website:

Firefox 90 Release Note & Download

In News Firefox

How to Revert to the Old User Interface in Firefox 89

Last updated: June 7, 2021

Since version 89, the free and open-source Firefox web browser makes use of the new ‘Proton’ UI design.

For those who do not like the new Firefox appearance, the configuration options to re-enable the old style interface is still available in the 89 release.

Revert to old UI Design in Firefox 89:

Firstly, type about:config in the address bar and hit Enter. Click on the ‘Accept the Risk and Continue‘ button when it prompts.

Next type browser.proton in the search box. Then click on the double arrow icons to disable the values of:

browser.proton.contextmenus.enabled
browser.proton.doorhangers.enabled
browser.proton.enabled
browser.proton.modals.enabled

The Firefix UI will change immediately after the settings. And you can reset these settings to get back the new ‘Proton’ UI design.

In addition, the previous settings is going to be removed in next release according to this bug. So using a browser theme could be a good choice for long time solution.

In Howtos Firefox

Firefox 89.0 Released with New Elegant UI Design

Last updated: June 2, 2021

Mozilla Firefox 89.0 was officially released today with the focus on redesigned and modernized user interface.

Firefox 89 has a simplified browser chrome and toolbar. It uses floating tab design with rounded corners for active tab. Less toolbar buttons present, and bookmarks, history and downloads are merged into single menu button.

The main menu content has been reorganized and prioritized. Menu items no longer have icons at beginning.

The new release also introduced new ‘Pocket’ icon in left side of the menu button. It allows to save any archive, video or page from Firefox. And it provides buttons to sign in/up pocket, so to view your saved content on any device any time.

Other changes in Firefox 89.0 include:

Native context menus on Mac OS with dark mode support.
Reduced number of alerts and messages, so you can browse with fewer distractions.
Update private browsing mode with even more privacy.
Smart Zoom support via double-tap with two fingers, or single finger on your Magic Mouse.
Various security and other fixes.
Event Timing API Support.

How to Get Firefox 89:

As usual, Ubuntu will publish the Firefox 89 packages through the security & updates repositories in next few days.
You can just wait until it being available to update in Software Updater:

Alternatively, see the release note and download the portable package from Firefox website:

Firefox 89 Release Note & Download

In News Firefox

Firefox 86 Released with Multiple Video Playback in Picture-in-Picture Mode

Last updated: February 24, 2021

Mozilla Firefox web browser 86.0 was released with improved pop out video support and latest privacy protection.

In Firefox 86, you can now play multiple videos at the same time in the Picture-in-Picture mode.

The new release also features new privacy protection: Total Cookie Protection. It stops cookies from tracking you around the web by creating a separate cookie jar for every website.

To enable this feature, go to about:preferences#privacy page and set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Strict mode.

Other changes in Firefox 86 include:

Improved Print functionality with a cleaner design and better integration
Enable credit card management and auto-fill feature for users in Canada.
Reader mode now works with local HTML pages.
Mitigate the stack clash attack in Linux and Android.
Remove DTLS 1.0 support.
Various security fixes.

How to get Firefox 86 in Ubuntu:

For all current Ubuntu releases, the new Firefox package will be published in Ubuntu security & updates repositories in next a few days.

At that time, you can easily update the web browser through Software Updater (Update Manager)

For those who can’t wait, go to the release page which also includes a download button:

Firefox 86 Release Note

In News Firefox

Mozilla Firefox 85 Released with Enhanced Privacy Protection

Last updated: January 26, 2021

Firefox 55

Mozilla Firefox 85.0 was officially released today with improvements to privacy protection, bookmarks, and password manager.

Firefox 85 introduces a fundamental change in the network architecture. It now partitions network connections and caches, including HTTP cache, image cache, favicon cache, HSTS cache, OCSP cache, style sheet cache, font cache, DNS cache, HTTP Authentication cache, Alt-Svc cache, and TLS certificate cache. So it protects you from supercookies.

Since this release Adobe Flash is no longer supported, and there is no setting available to re-enable Flash support.

Other changes in Firefox 85 include:

Remember user preferred location for saved bookmarks
Display bookmarks toolbar by default in new tab.
Easy access to all of your bookmarks via a toolbar folder.
An option to remove all of saved logins.
Various security fixes.

How to get Firefox 85 in Ubuntu:

For all current Ubuntu releases, simply wait! The new Firefox package will be published in Ubuntu security & updates repositories in next a few days.

At that time, you can easily update the browser through Software Updater (Update Manager)

For those can’t wait, go to the release page which also includes a download button:

Firefox 85 Release Note

In News Firefox

How to Change Firefox Frame Rate for High Refresh Rate Monitor

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Running Ubuntu with high refresh rate monitor? You may found that the Firefox web browser does not match with your monitor’s native refresh rate.

This is a simple tip shows how to change the refresh rate of Firefox, though you have to first set the system refresh rate (Settings -> Displays) to match your monitor.

1.) Open Firefox and type about:config in address bar and hit Enter. And click the button which says ‘Accept the Risk and Continue’.

2.) Next in the filter box, type layout.frame_rate and click edit the key value to your monitor’s native refresh rate (144 in the case).

That’s it. Restart Firefox and enjoy!

via: reddit

In Howtos Firefox

Mozilla Firefox 84.0 Released with Native Apple Silicon Support

Last updated: December 16, 2020

Mozilla Firefox web browser 84.0 now is available to download.

Firefox 84 is a big release. It comes with WebRender enabled by default in Linux Gnome on X for faster page rendering. For Wayland session, you can manually enable the feature in about:config page, search and enable gfx.webrender.all.

The new browser release also includes native support for Apple Silicon hardware, the M1 processor in new versions of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

Other features in Firefox 84.0 include:

The final release to support Adobe Flash.
Search shortcuts in the address bar.
Security fixes and more.

How to Get Firefox 84.0 in Ubuntu:

Ubuntu keeps publishing the latest Firefox packages through the main Ubuntu security & updates repositories. Just wait and Firefox 84.0 will be available to update for all current Ubuntu releases in next a few days.

If you can’t wait, Mozilla offers official Linux portable packages, in which you can run the executable file to launch Firefox. And you can download it from the link below:

Firefox FTP Download Page

In News Firefox

Firefox 83 Released with JavaScript Engine Updates, Https-Only Mode

Last updated: November 18, 2020

Mozilla Firefox 83.0 was released a day ago with significant updates to its JavaScript Engine, SpiderMonkey. It improved page load performance by up to 15%, page responsiveness by up to 12%, and reduced memory usage by up to 8%.

Firefox 83.0 release highlights:

Https-only mode.
Pinch zooming support for Windows touchscreen devices and touchpads on Mac devices.
Picture-in-Picture supports keyboard shortcuts for fast forwarding and rewinding videos
Improved user interface for screen sharing.
Improved search functionality.
Support AcroForm, allows to fill in, print, and save supported PDF forms.
Pocket recommendations for users in India with English version.
Various accessibility and security fixes

How to Install Firefox 83 in Ubuntu:

The new release package has been made into security & updates repositories for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10.

Simply open Software Updater utility and install the package update after checking for updates:

In News Firefox

Firefox 82 Released with Faster Page Loading, Picture-In-Picture Improvements

Last updated: October 20, 2020

Firefox web browser 82.0 was released today with improved picture-in-picture, faster page loading and start-up time.

Firefox 82.0 release highlights:

New look and position for the Picture-In-Picture button.
Picture-In-Picture now has a keyboard shortcut for Mac users.
Improve resource usage during video playback, battery life for Windows user.
20% faster when loading websites with flexbox-based layouts.
17% quicker when restoring a session.
10% quicker when opening new windows in Windows.
Explore new articles when you save a webpage to Pocket from the Firefox toolbar.
WebRender support on more Windows machines.
Various security fixes and more.