HiTechEdge

Tag: Firefox

  • Manjaro Linux Cinnamon Choose Vivaldi Over Firefox As Default Browser

    Manjaro Linux Cinnamon Choose Vivaldi Over Firefox As Default Browser

    Manjaro Linux Cinnamon has chosen Vivaldi as its default browser, ousting Firefox.

    Vivaldi is a popular web browser based on the Chromium rendering engine, the same engine that powers Google’s Chrome. The company was co-founded by the co-founder and former CEO of Opera software, Jon von Tetzchner, and its browser is designed to appeal to power users, as well as Opera users.

    Manjaro is one of the more popular Linux distros, and is based on the Arch distro. One of Manjaro’s strengths is its focus on ease-of-use, making it a good choice for those just breaking into the Linux world. Manjaro Cinnamon is a version of the distro that ships with the Cinnamon desktop environment as the default, instead of Gnome, KDE or Xfce.

    According to Vivaldi CEO Jon von Tetzchner, Manjaro’s co-CEO made the decision to include Vivaldi as the default.

    To give Vivaldi more of the attention it deserves, I decided to include it as the default browser in our popular Cinnamon Community Edition. With its remarkable browsing speed, exceptional customizability and especially the way it values user privacy, Vivaldi for me is a perfect match for Manjaro Linux.

    The announcement is good news for Vivaldi, and another setback for Firefox.

  • Google Bringing HTTPS-Only Mode to Chrome

    Google Bringing HTTPS-Only Mode to Chrome

    Google appears to be working on an HTTPS-Only Mode for Chrome, a move that will significantly improve the browser’s security.

    HTTPS is the secure version of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). When a website’s address begins with “https”, the communication between web browser and website is secure. While many websites automatically use HTTPS, some still do not, representing a potential security risk if any sensitive information is sent or received from it.

    Google is now working on an HTTPS-Only Mode for Chrome that would automatically upgrade any insecure website connections to secure ones, at least where possible. The move follows similar ones by Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

    According to The Record, Google is working on the feature in Chrome Canary 93. It’s unclear, however, if the finished version will be ready in time for the official release of Chrome 93, or if HTTPS-Only Mode will debut later.

    As the maker of the most popular web browser (by far), it’s disappointing Google is so late to the party with such an important feature. Nonetheless, at least it is joining the party.

  • Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla has launched Rally, a privacy-first data sharing platform, to tackle the growing challenges related to privacy and user data.

    Mozilla has a long history of championing privacy. It’s web browser, Firefox, is one of the most privacy-focused, secure browsers available. The company also offers a VPN service that has garnered positive reviews for its approach to privacy and security.

    The company is adding Rally to its portfolio of software and services in an effort to help people take back control over their own data.

    Your data is valuable. But for too long, online services have pilfered, swapped, and exploited your data without your awareness. Privacy violations and filter bubbles are all consequences of a surveillance data economy. But what if, instead of companies taking your data without giving you a say, you could select who gets access to your data and put it to work for public good?

    Rather than advertisers benefiting from user data, Rally will give users the option to donate their data to help crowdfund research projects.

    Computer scientists, social scientists and other researchers will be able to launch groundbreaking studies about the web and invite you to participate. A core focus of the initiative is enabling unprecedented studies that hold major online services accountable.

    Mozilla is working with Professor Jonathan Mayer’s research group at Princeton University to help launch the Rally research initiative.

    “Online services constantly experiment on users, to maximize engagement and profit,” says Mayer. “But for too long, academic researchers have been stymied when trying to experiment on online services. Rally flips the script and enables a new ecosystem of technology policy research.”

    Rally sounds like an interesting concept and will hopefully help more users take control over their data.

  • Google Chrome Now Has More Than 3 Billion Users

    Google Chrome Now Has More Than 3 Billion Users

    Google Chrome has catapulted in popularity since its debut, and now has more than 3 billion users worldwide.

    Internet Explorer was once the most popular browser, with Mozilla’s Firefox second. Once Google entered the fray with Chrome, the entire market was turned upside-down, and Chrome quickly become the most popular browser.

    Recent research by AtlasVPN, however, puts Chromes market share at a whopping 3,258,256,887 users, or 41% of the population.

    “The key reason for such browser popularity is the fact that it has been created by the tech giant Google,” writes AtlasVPN’s Anton P. “In addition, many people praise it for various customizable options and speed compared to other browsers.”

    Safari comes in second, with 944,576,100 users, thanks largely to its base of iOS/iPadOS devices, as well as the Mac . Firefox comes in third place with 181,435,430 users. Microsoft Edge, Samsung Internet and Opera round out the top six with 171,327,607, 166,779,086 and 112,196,840 respectively.