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Firefox 102: Query Parameter Stripping improves privacy
Mozilla plans to introduce a new privacy feature in the upcoming Firefox 102 web browser. Called
Query Parameter Stripping, it is designed to remove tracking parameters from web addresses
to improve user privacy.
Mozilla integrated the privacy feature in Firefox Nightly 96 originally for testing
purposes. Some sites and services add tracking parameters to links to track users across
sites. Facebook, for example, appends a unique fbclid string to all outgoing links, which
is unique for all users on the site.
The parameter may be used to identify and track users. Facebook can use it if one if
the service's scripts is running on the target site, but others may use it as well, as the
identifier is unique.
One of the main advantages of using URL query string identifiers is that these don't rely
on cookies or other data bits.
The initial query parameter stripping version in Firefox 102 uses a blocklist to strip known
tracking parameters from top-level URLs; this includes navigational events such as opening
a new tab, clicking on links, redirects or window.open() events.
Mozilla decided to limit the processing to top-level navigation events to reduce the
likelihood of web compatibility issues. Navigational events across the same site are not processed
because of that.
Navigational tracking protection is enabled in Private Browsing Mode and when Firefox's
Enhanced Tracking Protection feature is set to Strict. Firefox supports standard (default),
strict and custom Enhanced Tracking Protection modes.
The preference privacy.query_stripping.enabled determines whether the feature is enabled
or disabled in Firefox. Set the preference to TRUE on about:config to enable the parameter
stripping.
Mozilla added support for custom parameters that users can add to Firefox to have them
stripped automatically with the rest of the built-in stripping. The preference privacy.query_stripping.strip_list
accepts query strings and uses space as the delimiter.
Brave Browser has a similar feature that is removing query strings from web addresses.
The list that Brave uses is public; it includes Facebook's tracking strings, but also strings
that other services use to track users across the web.
Closing Words
Firefox's query string protection improves user privacy, but only in private browsing
windows or when the browser's Enhanced Tracking Protection setting is set to strict; this
is a limitation, and most Firefox users may not benefit as much from the privacy improvement
because of that.
Still, it is a step in the right direction, and there is a chance that Mozilla is enabling
the feature for the standard mode as well. Most Firefox users may want to switch to strict
tracking protection in the browser, as it improves their privacy while using the browser.
:: More ::
Firefox 102 Adds GeoClue Support on Linux, Improves PDF Viewer
A new version of Mozilla Firefox is available to download, ahead of its form release on
June 28.
Mozilla Firefox 102 sees the browser bake-in support for GeoClue on Linux desktops, improve
the PDF appearance when using high contrast mode, and gain the ability display subtitles
and captions in Picture-in-Picture when playing content from HBO Max, DailyMotion, Funimation,
and a number of other video streaming sites.
A clutch of Linux-specific bug fixes include patches to resolve issues with Amazon password
length appearance, reduce PDF rendering artefacts, and massage video distortion with H.264 when
using VAAPI. Additionally, mesa/crocus is appended to the list of Intel Mesa drivers
supported by the browser.
Elsewhere, Firefox 102 now only shows the ‘save login’ prompt when you interact
with a page; makes a few tweaks to better handle TikTok content; and enables swipe-to-nav
on compatible Windows systems — note: this feature is coming to Linux in Firefox 103.
Finally, Mozilla mentions that a a new enterprise policy and config setting is included in this
release. It sees Firefox initially place downloads in a temporary folder instead of the download
folder configured in Firefox.
“Files opened from the “what should Firefox do with this file” dialog, or set to open
in helper applications automatically, will stay in this folder. Files saved (not opened
as previously mentioned) will still end up in the Firefox download folder,” they add.
Download Firefox 102 Mozilla Firefox is free, open source software
available for Windows, macOS, Linux.
You can, as always, grab the latest release from the Mozilla website (though most Linux
distros come with the browser installed by default or available in the repo) once the
release is officially announced.
Ubuntu users will get the Firefox 102 update automatically.
:: More ::
Mozilla Firefox 102.0 announced
The 102.0 version of Mozilla Firefox , a fast, functional and open source internet browser,
has been announced. You will be able to review the release notes for detailed information
about version 102.0 . The browser, which continues on its way with the principle of "security,
stability, speed and more; It has a protection shield developed against spyware, viruses
and unintentional pop-ups, phishing protection, and can be personalized as desired with thousands
of useful add-ons. Most add-ons can be used by default with Firefox. Developed support
standards for HTML5, XHR, MathML, SMIL; Mozilla Firefox, which has some stability problems
fixed, comes with capabilities such as hardware accelerated graphics and HTML5 technologies
for web and plug-in developers, and significantly improved JavaScript performance. Firefox;
It is available in more than 90 languages ​​with the contributions of Mozilla community
members around the world.
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