Category: News

Firefox

Firefox 153 launches with new security improvements and fixes

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Mozilla released Firefox 153.0 to the public yesterday. The new version of the open source browser comes with a good range of new features and changes, including some that are important for privacy and security.

The list of changes is long, but there are several standout features in changes. For one, Mozilla integrated the decade-old Containers feature of the browser directly into Firefox as an out-of-the-box feature.

Containers allow you to separate websites and data. The main idea is to contain data within containers, which means that anything that runs outside can’t access the container data. Whether it is a coincidence that Mozilla is making the feature more visible after Brave introduced it recently is unclear, but it could give Containers a much needed boost.

There are various methods to open sites in Containers. You can right-click on any open tab and select the “Open in new Container tab” option, or right-click on the new-tab-button instead.

Firefox ships with the usual four default containers personal, work, banking, and shopping, which you can edit. You can also add new containers or enable “Select a container for each new tab” to automatically open the container picker when opening a new tab.

The Multi-Account Container add-on is still useful, as it extends the functionality. You can use it to force-launch specific sites in a container and use other exclusive features.

As far as security and privacy are concerned, there are three additional changes that are noteworthy:

  • Extensions do not gain access to local files by default anymore. You can still grant them permission using the new “Access local files on your computer” permission.
  • Firefox now requires websites to request permission before connecting to devices on local networks, or to apps and services on a device.
  • Veteran Firefox users may remember the cookieBehavior preference. The values 3 (Allows third-party cookies only if the eTLD+1 already has at least one cookie set in a first-party context) and 4 (Blocks cookies from domains classified as trackers.) are being removed. They are hidden in Firefox 153 and may be removed as early as Firefox 155. Mozilla replaces them with what it says modern values. Link

Here are the remaining important changes and new features in Firefox 153:

  • HDR video playback is coming to Windows on devices that support it. Make sure that HDR video streaming is enabled under Settings > Display.
  • Share > Generate QR Code is a new option to share pages.
  • PDF Editor can now merge multiple PDFs by dragging them into the PDF sidebar and add new pages to PDFs.
  • Type “pick color” in the address bar to quickly copy a color code from the active page.
  • On Apple devices, Firefox supports Globe-F now.
  • Local permissions are not highlighted in red in the address bar.
  • You can launch Firefox labs now by typing labs in the address bar.

Last but not least, Mozilla patched several security issues in Firefox. The aggregate rating is high and there is no mention of exploits in the wild.

Android

Google changes Android backup rules so that everything counts against storage quotas

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Many mobile phone users rely on the automatic backup feature of their devices. On Android, users can back up images and videos, settings, the call history or SMS.

Not all of the backed up data counted against the storage quota of the user, which is 15 GB by default for free Google account users.

While Google has been pushing users towards backing up photos and videos online, likely also to get them close to the free limit and push paid storage, it has discounted some data up until now.

This changes in less than two months. Google is emailing Android users currently about the upcoming change to Android’s backup storage policy.

The main change: All data counts against a user’s storage quota. Google says this includes things such as SMS messages, the call history or device settings.

The email reveals the extra storage requirements for the particular user, which was 0.07 GB in my case and should be around 40 MB on average. It seems unlikely that this will drive the quote of the majority users across the treshold.

Google is also extending the backup capabilities. When you open the back up other data section in the preferences, which Google says is rolling out, you find options to turn off backups for device data or app data. Each entry is listed with the storage it occupies on the device currently, making it easy to find the largest sections. However, there is no option to sort by data, which can make browsing the app data section time consuming.

Brave Search features a Google Maps alternative now

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

One of the search engines that I use regularly is Brave Search. I have several reasons for that: it is fast, uses its own search index that is fully independent from Google Search and Bing Search, and often good at uncovering results that are burried deep under pages of “what the search algorithms believe is better content”.

For Maps, I do rely on Google Maps. While there are other maps services out there, I found most of them lacking in one way or another. However, in some countries, like Korea or China, I do use different map apps as Google Maps does not work well there or at all, or because they are better.

I stumbled upon Brave Maps just recently. It is not brand new, but Brave does not appear to advertise or link to it much at this point. From what I can tell, it appears to be based on OpenStreeMap for the most part.

You can run searches for places and get information, descriptions and reviews taken from TripAdvisor. One downside is that directions is not baked in but redirects to Google, Bing or OpenStreetMap route planners. That is somewhat of a let-down and will hopefully get addressed in future updates.

Another issue is that reviews are not fully baked in. You get some for a location, but they may be cut off and after three or so, a link to Tripadvisor points to the rest of the reviews. This is a main issue, as you can’t use Brave Maps to search all of the reviews for certain information.

All in all, it is good to see that Brave is adding a Maps feature to its growing list of services. However, at its current stage, it lacks essential features and that reduces its usefulness quite a lot. It is probably one of the reasons why Brave is not heavily advertising the feature yet.

Still, if you are looking for non-mainstream maps services, this is one to keep an eye on to see how it evolves in the coming years.

Mozilla moves Firefox to a 2-week release cycle in September

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Google announced plans some time ago to move Chromium to a 2-week release cycle to bring features quicker to users. While that does not mean that there will be more Chrome releases, it means that the main version of the browser increases twice as fast.

Mozilla announced on the official Dev Platform group that it will move Firefox development to a 2-week release cycle as well. However, Mozilla notes that this will be an experimental shift, one that it plans to monitor closely to find out if it is beneficial.

Starting with Firefox 155, which Mozilla plans to release on September 1, 2026 and not on September 15, 2026 anymore, Firefox will see a version bump every two weeks.

We are planning to move Firefox Desktop and Android from a 4-week release cadence to a 2-week release cadence starting in September 2026.

This will be an experiment. The goal is to give work that is ready to ship more frequent opportunities to reach users, while making the release process more predictable and reducing pressure on uplifts.

This does not mean that all work needs to ship twice as fast. Work that is not ready should not be rushed, and features can still take the time they need to bake.

Mozilla says that features shouldn’t and won’t get rushed when the change hits. If a feature is not ready, it should not be included in a release just like before.

For users, the main change is that Mozilla may bring some features earlier to Firefox users and that the version of the browser increases twice as fast. Firefox ESR users won’t see a change, as that version is not affected by the change.

Brave Browser reveals how (some) Manifest V2 extensions continue to work

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

With Google terminating support for Manifest V2 extensions in Chromium and thus most Chromium-based browsers, only some companies have announced solutions to keep support for select extensions.

The latest version of Brave Browser addresses one of the main problems with the migration from MV2 to MV3: the removal of MV2 extensions from the Chrome Store.

What happens when you need to install a classic extension on a new PC or new browser profile? Unless you happen to have a local copy or know how to download it from GitHub or other repositories — if it is provided there — you may be out of options.

Brave Software implemented an option in the browser to replace “known Web Store MV2 extensions with Brave-hosted equivalents”. Up until that point, users had to walk through the process manually. This also meant that settings were not carried over.

With the new process, at least for “known extensions”, Brave is automating things for the user. A benefit of this is that Settings are carried over, which means that you do not have to reconfigure the entire extensions.

There does not seem to be a list of extensions that get the treatment, but a screenshot highlights uBlock Origin, NoScript, uMatrix and AdGuard.

You can now sign in to Microsoft Edge with a Google account

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Should you sign in to your browser of choice or use it without linked account? Signing in offers some advantages, notable the syncing of some data, such as passwords or the browsing history, between devices.

However, depending on the browser that you use, it may also provide the company in charge of it with additional information.

Many browsers limits the feature to the account of the organization that produces it. If you use Google Chrome, you can only sign in with a Google account. Firefox users may sign in with a Mozilla account, and Microsoft Edge users, at least until very recently, needed a Microsoft account.

This is changing with the release of Microsoft Edge 150. Microsoft notes the following in the release notes:

Sign in to Edge with a Google account. Users can now sign in to Microsoft Edge using a Google account in addition to a Microsoft account from the profile menu and Edge sign-in screen. Available for Windows and macOS devices. Admins can control availability of this feature using the NonMicrosoftAccountSignInEnabled policy. Note: This is a controlled feature rollout. If you don’t see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.

So, instead of signing in with a Microsoft account, you can now sign in with a Google account. This comes with advantages, such as access to Google-stored passwords and such.

Whether that move will convince more users to give Edge a try on Windows or Mac remains to be seen. I have my doubts, but it does give Edge users more options when it comes to the company that they trust their data with.

Edge 150 is also the last version to support macOS 12, according to the release notes. Starting with Edge 151, macOS 13 is the minimum required version.

Microsoft is migrating OneDrive and Sharepoint to cloud.microsoft

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft announced plans back in 2023 to unify its cloud services under a single domain. The reason was simple: enhance security, streamline the user experience and simplify administrative tasks.

The process is ongoing and Microsoft announced recently that the next phase of the transition begins in July 2026. The plan is to migrate the OneDrive and SharePoint services, including their domains, to the cloud.microsoft domain. Microsoft hopes to complete the migration by June 2027.

According to Microsoft, the process happens automatically in the background. Users will be redirected to the new domain automatically. It can happen, however, that some users, even in the same organization or network, are redirected earlier than others.

To understand this shift, it helps to realize how fragmented Microsoft’s web address ecosystem has been. For years, users have had to hop between a massive web of completely different domains like office.com, teams.microsoft.com, sharepoint.com, and outlook.office365.com.

The core of this update is a massive cleanup effort. Microsoft is progressively moving all of its core 365 web apps into a single, unified home: *.cloud.microsoft.

Why is Microsoft doing this?

This isn’t just a cosmetic makeover. Moving everything under a single domain solves three major architectural headaches for Microsoft:

  • Better Security: Because Microsoft owns and directly runs the top-level domain .microsoft (unlike .com, which anyone can buy a variation of), it creates an incredibly secure sandbox. It makes phishing, domain spoofing, and “lookalike” malicious websites virtually impossible to pull off for these services.
  • Smoother Performance & Fewer Logins: Right now, as your browser hops from outlook.office.com to sharepoint.com, it constantly has to pass security tokens back and forth across different domains to keep you signed in. Consolidating into one domain cuts down on redirect loops, reduces “sign-in fatigue,” and speeds up app switching.
  • Easier IT Management: Network admins used to have to manage massive, ever-evolving lists of dozens of domains to let Microsoft 365 traffic through company firewalls. Now, they can eventually just whitelist *.cloud.microsoft.

For users, the most important information is that bookmarks and links are safe, and that redirects will happen automatically.

Firefox 152 is out with JPEG XL support, new Settings layout, and much more

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Mozilla released Firefox 152 Stable a moment ago. The new version of the open source web browser includes security fixes as well as new features and changes. The two extended support versions, Firefox 140.12 ESR and 115.37.0 ESR for legacy systems have also been updated.

The big visual feature of Firefox 152 is the new Settings page. The goal of the redesign was to streamline the page, improve grouping and navigation. Mozilla says the change is visual only, meaning that user settings were not changed and that all settings remain available.

One effect that you may notice immediately is that the average number of preferences per page has been reduced. Means, less scrolling. You can still use the built-in search to find a preference quickly.

Here is an overview of other important features in the release:

  • Firefox supports JPEG XL now. The image format is not enabled by default, but you can enable it under Settings > Firefox Labs > Webpage Display > Media: JPEG XL: This adds support for the image format, so that the browser can render it.
  • Firefox Translations supports Basque and Galician now.
  • The languages Croatian, English (UK), Georgian, Persian, Slovenian, Tajik, Tamil, Tibetan, Turkish, Welsh, and Xhosa now come with a built-in dictionary for the Firefox spellchecker.
  • Context menu video controls are now available on sites like TikTok or Instagram. These were blocked on the sites previously.
  • Private browsing now supports temporarily disabling the protection on a specific site. The idea is to use this to display sites correctly in Firefox which would otherwise be broken because of the protective features. Whether that is indeed a good idea or giving sites an incentive to break functionality accidently remains to be seen.
  • Links can be copied via a right-click on a tab and the selection of Share > Copy Link on Linux and Windows now. This works, even when the site is not active. You can also copy multiple link paths when several sites are selected.

The official release notes list a few useful changes next to that:

  • Zooming in Firefox via the keyboard or mouse now offers “more zoom levels in smaller increments”.
  • Downloaded PDFs are opened in a background tab, if you close the original page or switched tabs.

Firefox 152 is a security update. Mozilla lists 40 fixed security issues on the security page. The severity is high, there is no critical fix and no 0-day issue that is already exploited in the wild. Still, it is highly recommended to upgrade as soon as possible to fix the security holes.

Most unmanaged Firefox installations will receive the new update automatically. You can download the update immediately either by opening Firefox and going to Menu > Help > About Firefox, or by downloading the latest version from the Mozilla website.

Google Chrome update fixes more than 70 vulnerabilities, including a zero-day

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you run Google Chrome on your computer systems or mobile, then you better make sure that the latest update is installed. Google released a new security update for Google Chrome this week, and it fixes a whooping 74 unique vulnerabilities. Not even near the massive 429 security fixes of last week’s update, but still a sizeable number.

Google lists 17 critical security issues that got fixed in the update on the official release notes page. Even more pressing is one of the high-rated security issues is actively exploited in the wild. As always, Google does not reveal much about this:

Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2026-11645 exists in the wild.

It is an out of bounds memory access in V8, the JavaScript engine of the Chrome browser. Specifics are not revealed at this stage. It is unclear, therefore, how attackers may exploit the issue and more importantly, how easy it is to exploit it.

Chrome users should upgrade the browser asap, especially if they use it actively on their devices. Even if it is installed only, I’d recommend upgrading it as soon as possible to protect it against the large number of potential attack vectors and issues.

Most non-managed devices should receive the update automatically, thanks to the built-in updating functionality of the web browser. You can speed up the process by selecting Help > About Chrome from the main menu. Windows users may also run winget upgrade google.chrome.exe from Terminal.

As far as versions are concerned, Chrome should display one of the following versions after the update has been installed.

  • Chrome 149.0.7827.102 Linux
  • Chrome 149.0.7827.102/.103 Windows/Mac
  • Chrome 149.0.7827.102 Android
  • Chrome Extended 148.0.7778.254 Windows/Mac

Meta is rolling out subscriptions for all of its products, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you make a lot of money as a company from advertisement already, your next question as a company should not only be how to expand that revenue, but to find outer ways to complement it.

That’s what Google, Microsoft and co. are doing already. Meta, parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, is now joining the party. New subscriptions are available for all products that, in some cases, replicate what X did with its premium subscriptions: it gives subscribers an advantage over those who are not.

First, here is the overview:

Consumer “Plus” Subscriptions

These plans are targeted at everyday users who want more personalization and control over their social media experience

  • WhatsApp Plus – $2.99 per month – chat organization and interface personalization
  • Instagram Plus – $3.99 per month – advanced story controls and profile customization
  • Facebook Plus – $3.99 per month — enhanced social tools and profile personalization

Key Advantages

  • WhatsApp Plus: Upgrades the messaging experience with custom app themes, personalized ringtones, the ability to pin additional chats, and access to exclusive premium stickers.
  • Instagram Plus: Transforms how users interact with Stories by allowing them to preview others’ stories anonymously, see who rewatched their own stories, and keep stories active beyond the standard 24-hour limit. It also includes “Super Heart” reactions, custom app icons, and profile pins.
  • Facebook Plus: Mirrors the social and personalization upgrades seen on Instagram, offering enhanced story features, super reactions, and expanded profile customization options.

Then there is Meta One, which are structured around heavy AI usage and brand growth. Plans start at $7.99 per month and go all the way up to $49.99 per month.

Especially the Essential and Advanced tiers are of interested to creators and businesses:

  • Meta One Essential: Replaces and expands upon the standard Meta Verified offering. It provides a blue Verified badge, proactive impersonation protection, priority customer support, and enhanced link sheets to consolidate an online presence
  • Meta One Advanced: Functions as a growth and management engine. It guarantees higher visibility in Facebook feeds and search results, adds prominent “Follow” buttons on Reels, and automates follow invitations. It also grants access to advanced audience insights, automated scheduling, and allows moderators to manage accounts without needing to share passwords.

These grant higher visibility, which gives subscribers an advantage over anyone who is not subscribed already. Whether that is worth the extra $50 per month needs to be tested, but it could force the hand of many creators on Instagram or Facebook who want to grow their audience.

One question that may come to mind is this: when is the tipping point reached? Subscriptions work, but only that many are sustainable. With more and more companies jumping on the bandwagon, it is only a matter of time before fatigue kicks in or money runs out. What is the plan then?