UbuntuHandbook

Pale Moon, an open-source Goanna-based web browser, released version 28.14.0 (and 28.14.1 with quick fix) with stability and security improvements.

Pale Moon 28.14.0 release highlights:

Updated the browser identity code for website security to more clearly indicate website status.
Updated unofficial branding to be more generic and more clearly separate unofficial builds from Pale Moon as a product.
Added a preference (signon.startup.prompt) to give users the option to ask for the Master Password the moment the application starts.
Changed the way download sources are displayed to always use the actual domain downloads are from.
Implemented the CSS flow-root keyword.
(Re-)implemented percentage-based CSS opacity values according to the updated spec.
Implemented the last few missing bits for a standards-compliant implementation of JavaScript modules.(preloading, resource: scheme, etc.)
Implemented the ResizeObserver DOM API.
Updated script handling inside SVGs to only run scripts if they are enabled and permitted, avoiding a potential XSS pitfall.
Updated the MediaQueryList interface to the updated spec.
Removed support for the archaic and non-standard <marquee> element.
Removed some leftovers and cleaned up the Windows widget code.
Security issues fixed: CVE-2020-15676 and CVE-2020-15677
Unified XUL Platform Mozilla Security Patch Summary: 2 fixed, 1 defense-in-depth, 7 not applicable.

Pale Moon Browser in Ubuntu

How to Install Pale Moon via apt repository:

The opensuse repository offers the new release packages for Debian, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 16.04.

1.) Open terminal from your system application launcher. When it opens, run command to add the repository for Ubuntu 20.04:

echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/stevenpusser/xUbuntu_20.04/ /' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/home:stevenpusser.list

Depends on your Ubuntu edition, replace xUbuntu_20.04 to xUbuntu_18.04 or xUbuntu_16.04.

2.) Download and install the repository key by running command:

wget -O - https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:stevenpusser/xUbuntu_20.04/Release.key | sudo apt-key add -

Also replace xUbuntu_20.04 in the commands depends on your Ubuntu edition.

3.) Finally refresh system package cache and install the web browser by running 2 commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install palemoon

Uninstall:

To remove the apt repository, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab:

To remove the web browser, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove palemoon

Pale Moon is an open source web browser based on Firefox that’s optimized for performance. It focuses on efficiency and ease of use, by leaving out unnecessary features and making optimizations, while maintaining compatibility with Firefox extensions and themes.

Features:

Optimized for modern processors
Firefox sourced: As safe as Mozilla’s flagship browser
Supported by a friendly, active community of users
Familiar, efficient, fully customizable interface (no Australis!)
Smooth and speedy page drawing and script processing
Increased stability: experience fewer browser crashes
Support for Firefox extensions (add-ons) and themes
Uses slightly less memory because of disabled optional code
Support for SVG, Canvas and downloadable fonts
Extensive support for HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL
More customization and configuration options than Firefox
Able to use existing Firefox profiles with the migration tool

This browser, even though close to Firefox in the way it works, offers a different set of features than its sibling. For example, if you need accessibility features or integration of Windows’ parental controls, then Pale Moon may not be a good browser choice for you.

Install Pale Moon in Ubuntu:

1. Download the latest installer:

Download Pale Moon installer

2. Extract the package and go into the result folder. Run the installer script from that folder:

Can’t find the Run option in the context menu? Go to the file browser’s menu Edit -> Preferences. Under Behavior tab, check the box where it says “Run executable text files when they are opened”.

After that, restart Nautilus to apply changes by pressing Alt+F2 and running nautilus -q in the pop-up ‘run a command’ box.

3. Type in your user password when prompt and choose Install, Uninstall, or Upgrade the browser:

It will ask you some questions and finally download & install the browser in your system. Once Pale Moon is properly installed, you should see the below window: