Firefox Updated: 5 Facts You Should Know About The Browser's New Tracking Protection Feature

By Alex Cruz | Nov 04, 2015 06:00 AM EST

TEXT SIZE    


Firefox's latest version is out, and what came with its release was a new feature called tracking protection.

There are various browsers out there — Google Chrome, Apple's Safari and Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer. However, Mozilla claims that Firefox can provide protection to its users like no other browsers can.

The updated version of the browser will give the users more options and control over their Web experience, Mozilla announced in a blog Tuesday. That said, here are the facts that you should know about this latest feature added to Firefox.

1. It provides more protection from third-party trackers.

Firefox already has private browsing, which is the counterpart of Chrome's incognito. Although it secures that none of the user's browsing history and cookies are saved locally for this private session, it is possible that some data will leak out to third-party sites, according to Tech Crunch.

Firefox's tracking protection feature makes sure that third-party trackers, which includes social networking sites, will not receive any information from the browsing session.

The new tracking protection can be accessed in Private Browsing, and whether Mozilla turns the feature on outside this mode remains to be seen. Although, many critics believe that it may happen.

2. It's not an ad blocker, but it can protect you from ads.

The tracking protection of Firefox was not developed primarily to block ads. Since many of the online ads also track the users, there is a chance that the user will see fewer ads in Private Browsing mode.

Nick Nguyen, Vice President of product at Mozilla, stated that this feature aimed to set clear guidelines that may improve the quality of ads.

"The goal is not to block ads, but to block tracking," Nguyen stated during an interview with The Washington Post.

Mozilla believes that the balance between commercial profit and public benefit is critical to the overall Web health. The company aims for Internet growth and is dedicated to keep that balance.

3. It can be easily accessed using the Control Center in Firefox.

The development team made it easy for the users to turn on and off the Tracking Protection in Private Browsing for a specific site using the Control Center. This panel on your desktop will also reportedly allow you to manage privacy and settings. 

4. It's available on the following software.

The Private Browsing with tracking protection in Firefox is available for Windows, Mac, Android and Linux. The new version of Firefox can be reportedly downloaded starting Tuesday.

5. How to download?

The new Firefox version with tracking protection can be downloaded here. Simply click on the free download tab.

pre post  |  next post
More Sections