FIREFOX:Improved security for new browser

[KiwiCoromandel]

Mozilla today released a new version of its Firefox web browser that has gained popularity as a free alternative to Microsoft's ubiquitous Internet Explorer software.

In the two years since its release by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, the Firefox browser has won millions of devotees worldwide.

The Firefox 2 browser made available for download today was heralded by the organisation in Mountain View, California, as a "major update" developed by an "an international community of contributors".

"Firefox 2 delivers the best possible online experience for people today," said Mozilla chief executive Mitchell Baker.

"The improvements Mozilla has made to the ease of use, performance, and security in Firefox 2 reflect our ongoing, singular focus on meeting the needs of web users all over the world."

Localised versions of the browser were available in 35 languages and tailored to work with Windows, Macintosh or Linux computer operating systems, Mozilla said.

The browsers can be downloaded at the website http://www.getfirefox.com.

Firefox has 11 per cent of the web browser market, compared with the 86 per cent commanded by Internet Explorer and 1 per cent for Opera software, according to recent figures from Onestat web analytics firm.

Firefox simplified working in browsers, the boxes that show website pages on computer screens.

A strong advantage of Firefox has been a design that enables users to keep a set of browser windows open simultaneously and click easily between them with index tabs.

Microsoft built that coveted feature into its new Internet Explorer 7 software, the first Internet Explorer update in five years.

Upon hearing of Firefox 2's launch, Microsoft sent a congratulatory cake to Mozilla's Mountain View offices. One Mozilla employee took a photograph of the cake and published it on his personal blog.

"The cake was delivered by a bakery from Palo Alto, CA, USA and came with a delivery slip mentioning it was paid for by Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA," said the employee.

Both Firefox 2 and Internet Explorer 7 allow updated online feeds of news headlines or other information by means of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) and boast improved security against online hackers and scammers.

They were also designed with functions to check word spellings.

Particular safeguards were installed to thwart "phishing", tricking people into entering personal data such as credit card numbers on bogus websites designed to appear legitimate.

Mozilla was originally a web navigator code name at defunct internet firm Netscape when it dominated the internet browser world more than a decade ago.

Netscape fell from glory, its browser eclipsed by Internet Explorer, its company bought in 1998 by America Online and reduced to brand status.

The Mozilla Organisation was established in 1998 to complete the free, open-source software project and it registered as a nonprofit foundation in July 2003.

source:AFP

image:fredericiana.com...The CAKE allegedly sent from MICROSOFT to the FIREFOX team...

[Malicious Intent]

It's been good so far. All my old plug-ins have also been updated (most importantly ad-block), so no worries there.

[DudeAsInCool]

It's extremely fast...