Posted on 03/15/2012 6:11:48 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Mozilla is out with another rapid release of the open source Firefox web browser. Firefox 11 delivers at least 8 security fixes, including a fix for zero day flaws reported at the pwn2own hacking challenge last week.
Firefox 11 isn't just about security updates. It also expands on the developer tools that Firefox 10 delivered six weeks ago.
On the security front, there are five security advisories rated as critical for Firefox 11. The critical flaws fixed include a use-after-free memory flaw in shlwapi.dll and what Mozilla refers to as, 'miscellaneous memory safety hazards'.
Memory errors were also found in Firefox's handling of SVG graphics. The SVG flaws were discovered by using Google's open source Address Sanitizer tool. The AddressSanitizer is a memory error detector for C/C++ and is able to help identify out-of-bounds access issues as well as use-after-free memory conditions.
Firefox 11 also corrects a pair of Cross Site Scripting (XSS) flaws that Mozilla has rated as having moderate impact.
In Firefox 10, Mozilla included the new Inspect Tool that enables developers to inspect website code. With Firefox 11, Mozilla is taking their developer tools a step further with the new Tilt tool. Tilt is a visual layout tool that provides a 3D view of page layout.
"While developer tools like 'view source' have always been useful to learn about how to develop a page, the 3D View more clearly illustrates how the parts of a website are structured," Mozilla stated. "After selecting 3D View in Page Inspector, just hover your mouse over the elements to get more information about each piece you select."
Going a step further, the new Style Editor tool will enable users to make CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) changes. Those changes are reflected on the page, which provides a way for developers to quickly test style changes.
When the Firefox project first started, Mozilla wanted to help users migrate from Microsoft's Internet Explorer. In recent years, Google's Chrome browser has increased in popularity. To help enable Chrome users to move to Firefox, Firefox 11 now provides a migration tool that brings a Chrome user's bookmarks, history and cookies to Firefox.
Mozilla is also extending its browser sync technology for Firefox 11. In prior versions of Firefox, users have been able to sync history, bookmarks and tabs. With Firefox 11, users can now also sync their add-ons across multiple computers.
FF is fighting MS Office for the “Master of Bloatware” title.
Too bad Chrome sucks, else I would not even run FF.
Maybe we should try to revive Viola...?
I’ve been thinking of moving to Opera.
Mozilla — the alternative sellout to the surveillance state.
Its the way of all things. Start small, be completely incredible, desired, and wanted. Then grow and add stuff. And add stuff, and grow, and add stuff.
Government, Corporate, or down to software.
I use ancient versions of software as often as possible, most dating back to the late 90s.
>>I use ancient versions of software as often as possible, most dating back to the late 90s<<
Visicalc on CP/M? WordStar?
Now, if they’d just upgrade the DoD CAC card functionality to where I can actually use Firefox on .mil sites again, I’d be REALLY happy!
I’m still using FF5 because I’m sick of the “update all your addons, except of course your favorites which you have to give up because they are now broken” dance step.
Dumped FF a year ago - got tired of the long-term degradation of speed/resources and even the tune up apps didn’t seem to clean it all up. How are the current versions running? Anyone tried the 64-bit versions with Win7?
Well, I’m running Version 10 64-bit on Linux, and it seems to be running OK.
Yada, yada, yada. It all sounds nice, but why don’t they fix the bookmarking feature they goofed up a while back?
It used to be child’s play to bookmark a page and choose the folder destination, but they’ve got it so confounded squirrely now, that it’s just easier to click and drag a new bookmark into the appropriate folder.
I like Opera
I've been using it for webmail and the AF Portal...works fine.
It stopped working for me for anything military related when they upgraded to 6.0 and every time I look for a DoD Authentication patch, it says there isn’t one. I have to access both AF Portal and my direct USAF webmail through IE. Can you tell me where you got the patch?
Also ran across an article titled Firefox Fatigue...with all of these rapid changes.
Not sure if I can find it again.
I got mine off of the portal, though I don’t remember where. I can’t get IE to work though. :)
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