Mozilla Firefox 27 now available with better performance and security

[Shawn Knight]

Mozilla on Tuesday launched the latest version of their popular web browser. Firefox 27 includes a major update to the Firefox Social API, improved security via TLS (Transport Layer Security, the successor to SSL) and added language support via Android, just to name a few.

The Social API update now allows multiple social integration partners to utilize the service simultaneously. It first arrived in November 2012 as part of Firefox 17 to enable social networks to integrate directly into the browser. Unfortunately, previous iterations required users to select a single social network to receive toolbar notifications from.

The process to switch between active social networks was a bit awkward which is likely one of the reasons we haven’t seen very many integrations introduced yet. Mozilla added partners Delicious and Saavn alongside the release of Firefox 27 and with any luck, there will be more to come.

In the security department, Mozilla has enabled TLS 1.1 and 1.2 by default. These features have been part of the browser for some time but they weren’t enabled by default. Mozilla initially wanted to avoid compatibility problems with sites that didn’t support the standard early on which is why it wasn’t enabled by default until now.

Firefox 27 also comes with the SPDY 3.1 protocol baked in. If you aren’t familiar, SPDY (pronounced speedy) is a network protocol developed by Google to help reduce web page load latency and improve security.

You can download Firefox 27 here.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/55561-mozilla-firefox-27-now-available-with-better-performance-and-security.html

 

[Lurker101]

We#re up to 27 now? Urgh.

 

[Martina Thomas]

Firefox updates too frequently. I must say not all updates are useful. It is frustrating to update after a short period interval.

 

[Martina Thomas]

I read about the SPDY 3.1 protocol and if it is really implemented then this version is welcome. I need the load latency feature very much. I will update my firefox.

 

[ProtectAccess]

Welcome firefox 27. If solved the compatibility problem it is excellent. I also appreciate that they enabled TLS 1.1 and 1.2 by default. Good job.

 

[EClyde]

Still slow

 

[treetops]

Still slow

Yeah FF used to be the best, now it's slower then my IE. Idk why I still use FF.

 

[money]

Chrome

 

[Seventh Reign]

I'm waiting for someone to develop a browser and call it Nickel.

I wont explain why ... if you're smart you'll understand.

 

[NTAPRO]

I think it's hilarious that their releases are detailed all the way to november 2014

 

[tomkaten]

We#re up to 27 now? Urgh.
Still slow
Chrome

Really constructive comments, keep em coming. These are the people that complain that Opera doesn't load pages right and then deeply mourn its passing when it switches engines.

FF is in every way a better browser than spymaster Google's creation.

 

[Darkshadoe]

We#re up to 27 now? Urgh.
Still slow
Chrome

Really constructive comments, keep em coming. These are the people that complain that Opera doesn't load pages right and then deeply mourn its passing when it switches engines.

FF is in every way a better browser than spymaster Google's creation.

Probably the most intelligent post in this thread.

 

[Darkshadoe]

Still slow

I dont think that testing different browsers by measuring the speed of how long it takes to load your favorite Pokemon site counts.

There are too many variables to do accurate measurements.

 

[Guest]

We#re up to 27 now? Urgh.

Still slow

Chrome

Really constructive comments, keep em coming. These are the people that complain that Opera doesn't load pages right and then deeply mourn its passing when it switches engines.

FF is in every way a better browser than spymaster Google's creation.

No, it is not. Google Chrome is better than Firefox due to its speed and stability. I switched to Chrome because I'm tired of Firefox crashing and freezing all the damn time.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Really constructive comments, keep em coming. These are the people that complain that Opera doesn't load pages right and then deeply mourn its passing when it switches engines.

FF is in every way a better browser than spymaster Google's creation.

No, it is not. Google Chrome is better than Firefox due to its speed and stability. I switched to Chrome because I'm tired of Firefox crashing and freezing all the damn time.

I don't think either one is better than Opera. They all three have their downside. But as it is I'm riding a dead horse with Opera 12.16, because I refuse to support the new Opera based on Googles dead engine. Makes me feel as if I am jumping from one dead horse to another. If Firefox would stop the rapid release cycle, I'd probably jump to them in a heartbeat. I may do it anyway just to get off the Opera 12.16 dead horse. But no way shape form or fashion will you see me using Google Chrome. I have a deep dark hatred for Google, which unfortunately also includes Android. And since I can't stand the way Windows Phone looks, that pushes me to the Blackberry crowd. I never thought I would say it, but it looks as if all my years with IE and then the last few with Opera have lead to switching to Firefox after all.

 

[Guest]

If you want to enjoy updated Firefox source code without the annoying UI changes happening more and more, try Pale Moon (a custom compile of Firefox). Basically has the style of Firefox 3.6 but with all the internal code goodness of the latest Firefox.

 

[Guest]

Chrome is spyware, if you like the browser, use Chromium to avoid the spyware. I use Chromium as a second browser for gmail, I don't want it logging into everything. Firefox is my main browser. Updates are frequent and easy, press alt > help > about > restart to update, voila Firefox updates and restores all your tabs (this update took less than 10 seconds).

It's preference, no use in arguing over which is better. I prefer real customizable addons, which isn't possible with Chrome's javascript addons. Use the browser you like, enjoy the internet.

 

[havok585]

So many lazy moaners here, damn it, is it that hard to restart your browswer after it does the job for u?

 

[Guest]

Chrome is spyware, if you like the browser, use Chromium to avoid the spyware.

Using Chromium makes no difference since your ISP can still track you and know what you are doing.

 

[Guest]

"Firefox crashing all the time"

FUD.
I run Firefox every day in an enterprise environment, and on my own workstation ( where I have the freedom to customize it in every way that I please ). I have zero stability issues.

I have no idea what your issue would be ( if any ). Usually, it's free smileys and coupon printer toolbars that people installed.

 

[Guest]

"Firefox crashing all the time"

FUD.
I run Firefox every day in an enterprise environment, and on my own workstation ( where I have the freedom to customize it in every way that I please ). I have zero stability issues.

I have no idea what your issue would be ( if any ). Usually, it's free smileys and coupon printer toolbars that people installed.

If you are not running Firefox with multiple tabs then it explains why you have no issues. Firefox always seems to crash whenever I run Firefox with multiple tabs. That's the most common complaint people had with Firefox. It doesn't handle multiple tabs efficiently. Chrome, on the other hand, handle it with ease. I currently run more than 3 dozen of open tabs on Chrome and not once does it crash on me. The same cannot be said for Firefox. It can't even handle a dozen of tabs, let alone more than a dozen. I complained several times to Mozilla developers, but my complaints fell on deaf ears. Because of that, I switched to Chrome and haven't look back since.

 

[cliffordcooley]

After update mozlglue.dll misiing, wont start only reinstall, lost all pesonal data

Addon makers can't keep up with the rapid updates. Some may not even try until they know for certain their addon is broken.

I switched to Firefox from Opera last night. During the switch, I noticed half the themes I looked at were not compatible with version 27. One would not install, so I assume all the incompatible themes wouldn't install. I did find a theme to my liking, and hope this rapid updating doesn't break it.

If you are not running Firefox with multiple tabs then it explains why you have no issues.

By multiple, I assume you mean a couple dozen.

 

[Guest]

If you are not running Firefox with multiple tabs then it explains why you have no issues.

By multiple, I assume you mean a couple dozen.

Yes

 

[pmshah]

We#re up to 27 now? Urgh.
Still slow
Chrome

Really constructive comments, keep em coming. These are the people that complain that Opera doesn't load pages right and then deeply mourn its passing when it switches engines.

FF is in every way a better browser than spymaster Google's creation.

Probably the most intelligent post in this thread.

"Spymaster" ? I concur. I use chrome only for accessing gmail from Amazon.de for translation facility. I need many 240 V equipment which are simply unaffordable in UK - apart from in-compatible power plug. The selection I get is much wider and CHEAPER compared to US based amazon.com, even for universal voltage types.

Chrome is too restrictive with regards to plugins - which are too few to start with.

 

[Guest]

Chrome has no updates. It's soooo good. No memory eater, ultra-fast, super-safe... Chrome is not an altered copy of konqueror. It's not a quazzi-clone. No monopoly with chrome. In fact it's company has nothing to do with this damn socialist-globalization we're all livin'. Anti-Monopoly? -Use Chrome and winblows!