Firefox Browser Now Blocks Crypto-Mining, Tracking, and Cookies by Default

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Mozilla Firefox has updated its browser to the latest version 69. The eye-catching change with the newest version of Firefox is its new security enhancement that blocks cookies, crypto-mining and third-party tracking is spontaneously turned on by default for all its users globally. The latest update of Firefox 69 will apply to all its users who connect to the internet using the browser on Linux, Windows, Android, and Mac.

According to the Firefox update 69 standard-setting, the protection of users from crypto mining and third-party tracking cookies has been given high priority that saves them the hustle of navigating around the settings option to enable or disable the attentive privacy feature. Users will now be free from turning on the enhanced tracking protection option on their Firefox browser.

What this means is Firefox will keep organizations away from keeping tabs on user online activities. This is particularly important as organizations can use user information to sell it to advertising companies who might take advantage of the unsuspecting users by shaping what they see online.

Due to the growth of such incidence, Firefox version 69 flips the switch to turn on its enhanced security protection features that seek to protect all its users, instead of a few who know how to enable this significant browser feature.

In June 2019, Mozilla released an update that allowed users to turn on and off the Enhanced Tracking Protection feature on Firefox. In October 2018, the browser company optimized its browser, making it possible for its users to opt-in to the security feature if they wanted to utilize it.

According to the company’s official communication that was published on Tuesday:

“At present, over 20 percent of Firefox users have turned on the Enhanced Tracking Protection security feature. With today’s update release, Mozilla expects to provide enhanced protection to all its users by default.”

Released on 3rd September 2019, the default Enhanced Tracking Protection feature present on Firefox 69 works behind the scenes to protect its users. The feature protects its users by keeping companies and websites from creating individual profiles based on their browsing behaviors across web pages. More often than not, these companies usually collect user browsing information without their knowledge and consent.

According to Mozilla,

“Those user profiles that are created from and contain user browsing behaviors are usually sold to advertising companies for purposes that not known to us or part of our intentions. We want to bring an end to this malpractice.”

According to the recently launched Firefox 69, users will be able to know about entities which have attempted to track their browsing interactions. Firefox will keep a list of blocked crypto-miners, websites, and cookies for safeguarding its users’ browsing experience.

Firefox 69 Blocks Web-Based Crypto Miners

In the past few years, web-based crypto miners have increasingly been tainted by not only hackers but also mobile applications and websites that seek to capitalize by taking advantage of user CPU power to mine virtual assets secretly. This activity is usually done without user knowledge or approval.

In the wake of virtual currency mining scripts, both Google and Apple banned apps from being hosted in their application store that is involved in the mining of virtual assets on user devices in the background.

At present, Mozilla has also joined the fight against this menace by blocking web-based crypto miners by default preventing them from draining user CPU usage and their battery power.

Firefox 69 Blocks Third-Party Tracking Cookies by Default

Usually, when a user loads a specific website, the browser creates cookies into the system helping the site to remember user information about their visit. The user information we are talking about includes login information, shopping cart items, the preferred language, among many other settings.

On the other hand, a third-party cookie is set by a site other than the one the user is currently using allowing advertisers to take advantage.

Firefox 69 Disables Adobe Flash by Default

Adobe Flash Player will also be disabled by default in the web browser asking for user permission before playing videos on websites.

Disclaimer: The presented information is subjected to market condition and may include the very own opinion of the author. Please do your ‘very own’ market research before making any investment in cryptocurrencies. Neither the writer nor the publication (TronWeekly.com) holds any responsibility for your financial loss.

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Naveed Iqbal: A crypto nerd, internet security wizard. Believer of 'decentralization' in real. Love helping others and spreading information worth sharing.