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Firefox 3 : Will You be Switching?

Opinion
Jun 14, 20082 mins
Data and Information Security

Firefox 3 is set for release on Tuesday, June 17. The security benefits suggest a good look is a good idea. Many are even planning launch parties. What are your plans?

USA Today ran a good article on Firefox 3’s benefits (that go way beyond security). Here’s an excerpt of  some of the security features:

“…Firefox also will start blocking rather than simply warning about sites known to engage in “phishing” scams that try to trick users into revealing passwords and other sensitive information. The new version adds protection from sites known to distribute viruses and other malicious software.

The list of suspicious sites come from Google and StopBadware.org, a project headed by legal scholars at Harvard and Oxford universities. Security researchers who need access to problem sites can manually turn the feature off….”

Looking at browser market share trends, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) still has an advantage, but Firefox use is growing.   It will be interesting to see if this new version pushes Firefox ahead of IE.  

I use both browsers, but I must admit I use IE 7 more – due mostly to habit.  I get plenty of grief over that from my security staff, and maybe Firefox 3 will convert me.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is working on IE 8. You can get IE 8 beta 1 right now,  but I plan to wait until August and download IE 8 beta 2.  

So what are your browser plans?

dlohrmann

Daniel J. Lohrmann is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader, technologist and author. During his distinguished career, Dan has served global organizations in the public and private sectors in a variety of executive leadership capacities, including enterprise-wide Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) roles in Michigan State Government. Dan was named: "CSO of the Year," "Public Official of the Year," and a Computerworld "Premier 100 IT Leader." Dan is the co-author of the Wiley book, “Cyber Mayday and the Day After: A Leader’s Guide to Preparing, Managing and Recovering From Inevitable Business Disruptions.” Dan Lohrmann joined Presidio in November 2021 as an advisory CISO supporting mainly public sector clients. He formerly served as the Chief Strategist and Chief Security Officer for Security Mentor, Inc. Dan started his career at the National Security Agency (NSA). He worked for three years in England as a senior network engineer for Lockheed Martin (formerly Loral Aerospace) and for four years as a technical director for ManTech International in a US / UK military facility. Lohrmann is on the advisory board for four university information assurance (IA) programs, including Norwich University, University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Valparaiso University and Walsh College. Earlier in his career he authored two books - Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating the Brave New Web and BYOD For You: The Guide to Bring Your Own Device to Work. Mr. Lohrmann holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science (CS) from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Bachelor's Degree in CS from Valparaiso University in Indiana.

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