Mozilla is not happy about Google - http://clapway.com/2015/11/27/mozilla-not-happy-google-123/

Mozilla has officially announced that they will no longer be receiving revenue from Google. There is no doubt that losing revenue from Google will be a big hit simply given how huge Google is. The company announced that they ended their global agreement with Google at the end of 2014. Can Mozilla honestly make as much money as they were without Google’s help?

Image: AlainAudet

CONFIDENT IN THEMSELVES

Mozilla seems to have a lot of pride and ego when it comes to them and Google. Now this is just speculation, but it seems like the company is coming off a little bit arrogant. Mozilla has stated that they are fully confident in their Firefox web browser and that they are a more flexible company. This is coming straight from Mozilla’s mouth and it seems like they now have a chip on their shoulder because they do not need Google anymore? However, do these still need Google? Mozilla will most likely be fine by themselves, but Google is one of the biggest companies in the entire world and their revenue can not help but to be missed. CFO James Cook did not seem to worry though with his comments. Cook stated that Firefox looks forward to seeing the 2015 revenue statistics to prove their continued track record of good revenue. Does that sound like confidence or arrogance? The answer is up to interpretation.

MOZILLA VS. GOOGLE

With Mozilla seemingly happier now that they ate away from Google, the question begs: who is better? Both of these companies are very popular and successful, and both have top notch web browsers in Chrome and Firefox respectively. The answer of who is better is all about preference and does not have one answer. What should be said is both companies are successful and they will most likely continue to be successful barring anything catastrophic. It also seems like there might be a hint of hostility, but that could be just an assumption. One thing that can be known is Google helped out Mozilla all of these years. The company should be and most likely is thankful for it.

Mozilla is not happy about Google

Mozilla Upgrades Firefox Private Browsing - http://clapway.com/2015/11/04/mozilla-upgrades-firefox-private-browsing123/

Mozilla upgraded Firefox Private Browsing Mode on their web browser to monitor privacy just a bit more closely. The problem that the feature faced in the past was that while it did delete cookies and information from browsing history after closing the private window, the websites themselves still kept the information. With this new upgrade, Mozilla has added a new layer of privacy by outright locking embedded code in websites that track behavior around the internet. That means ads, browsing habits, and social sharing buttons are more closely managed and kept behind a very strict line.

This is speculated to be an effort on Mozilla to push for a more open web that gives publishers and developers the ability to monetize their work and balance user privacy at the same time. It’s not looking to kill any advertising based businesses through Firefox Private Browsing Mode, but to encourage a halfway point.

This doesn’t mean that Firefox Private Browsing Mode guarantees complete privacy. For one, internet service providers and network admins will still get access to users’ browsing history, cookies and other information. This, however, is a clear attempt from the part of Mozilla to compete against the monster that is Google Chrome by creating these features centered around the users and mark themselves as different from all other browsers.

Mozilla Upgrades Firefox Private Browsing

Firefox File-Stealing Flaw Could Lead to Data Theft - http://clapway.com/2015/08/09/firefox-file-stealing-flaw-could-lead-to-data-theft123/

Mozilla has discovered a file-stealing mechanism in their current browser that could lead to data theft among its many users. According to PC Magazine, a Russian user found a bug that searches for sensitive files and uploads them to a remote server that is believed to be in the Ukraine. Since this discovery, the company has released an update and is urging users to download the latest version.

How do users fight against the file-stealing flaw?: Mozilla Firefox Update

These new security updates, which should rid the browsers of the bug, were released Friday morning. As most users let their computers update automatically, Firefox is now urging users to check their updates to make sure their browsers are running on Firefox 39.0.3 or Firefox ESR 38.1.1. Presently, Mozilla believes that Mac users were not affected by this breach in security; however, they are advised to go ahead and update as well. This also means changing any passwords that were saved in threads, which users might have selected “log me in automatically” on.

File-stealing Glitch: What Happened?

As explained by Daniel Veditz on the Mozilla Security Blog, “The vulnerability comes from the interaction of the mechanism that enforces JavaScript context separation (the “same origin policy”) and Firefox’s PDF Viewer. Mozilla products that don’t contain the PDF Viewer, such as Firefox for Android, are not vulnerable.” Ad-blocking software is believed to have also prevented any theft of information. At the moment, the exact location of the bug’s release is still unclear, although the information was being sent to a server in the Ukraine.

How Do I Update my Browser?

For the most part, it is likely that users’ computers have made updates automatically. If you have the latest version of Firefox, the update is also quite simple. First, open up the menu and click “help.” After that, select “About Firefox,” which will open a pop-up window that automatically checks for any updates. If users are using any version before 39.0.3, they must click the “Restart Firefox to Update” option. Once Firefox has restarted, go back to the menu selection, and then back to “About Firefox” to double check that the browser has made the correct updates.

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Firefox File-Stealing Flaw Could Lead to Data Theft

Microsoft Windows 10 Default App Settings Might Have Sparked Browser War 2.0 - http://clapway.com/2015/08/03/microsofts-windows-10-default-app-settings-might-have-sparked-browser-war-2-0-245/

On Friday an anonymous Microsoft employee reported that Windows 10 had been installed on 67 million PCs, which is surprising given that the OS was released to the public less than a week ago. Now those are some pretty impressive figures, but it seems like there is already a bit of stink being brought up by Mozilla about some of Microsoft’s express settings when installing the operating system.

The Big Stink

For most users, upgrading to Windows 10 is a relatively simple process, and most people will typically select the express install method. Mozilla, the guys behind the Firefox web browser, believe this is because the option to personalize the installation settings is subtly parked in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Now, that doesn’t seem to be a very good reason to be upset. After all, what company wouldn’t want to make it effortless for their users to upgrade to the newest iteration of their software? The issue lies in the fact that when a user selects the express installation method, it overrides the user’s previous default applications. What does it replace it with? Microsoft’s Windows Edge browser and Groove music.

Mozilla Believes This is an Aggressive Move

In a recent blog post, Chris Beard, CEO of Mozilla, went over why this is an offense against user choice. Beard accurately points out that it takes twice as many clicks to set default applications as in previous versions of the operating system.

Prior, a user only needed to open up a program that wasn’t set as the default and the operating system would prompt the user to set the program as a default if they wished to do so.

“These changes aren’t unsettling to us because we’re the organization that makes Firefox. They are unsettling because there are millions of users who love Windows and who are having their choices ignored, and because of the increased complexity put into everyone’s way if and when they choose to make a choice different than what Microsoft prefers,” said Beard in an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Take the Power Back with Windows 10

Microsoft stands by its design decision stating, “We designed Windows 10 to provide a simple upgrade experience for users and a cohesive experience following the upgrade.”

For users who want to make sure they retain all of their default preferences, their best bet is to make sure they think ahead before upgrading. During the installation wizard, users will be prompted to select the express install method, but at the bottom of the screen is a custom settings button. Clicking this will allow a user to choose their own default apps rather than assuming the default programs in Windows 10.

Do you believe Microsoft’s expressing settings are nefarious or all in good nature?

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Microsoft Windows 10 Default App Settings Might Have Sparked Browser War 2.0