SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 22.11.2019

Chrome and Firefox revamped… again

The Chrome and Firefox browsers both got a new release recently. What useful novelties can you expect, and is it worthwhile upgrading yet again to a new version?

Google Chrome

Chrome ( https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/chrome ) version 78 is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. Most users have already automatically received an upgrade (check this via the Menu button; Help ; About Chrome ). Here’s an overview of the most important novelties.

Dark mode. When you’re working in a dark environment, surfing in the “dark mode” is much more pleasant and better for your health - the reasons for this are detailed at http://bit.ly/2NKaRx5 . Since version 76, Chrome could automatically switch to this dark mode, at least if the website itself offered this possibility. However, in the new Chrome 78 you can force the dark mode for every website you visit. How to do this is explained by How-To Geek ( http://bit.ly/2qt59Ya ). The browser ensures that everything remains legible.

New tab. When you open a new tab, you were already able to customise it via the icon at the bottom right. Soon you will also find extra options for themes, colours and shortcuts. More information is available at 9to5Google ( http://bit.ly/36NH27w ).

Password checker. The optional Password Checkup extension, which Google launched earlier this year is now integrated by default in Chrome. It checks your login details against a list of hacked websites and warns you when you need to change your password.

“Click to call”. The synergy between your desktop computer and your mobile device has been further enhanced. It was already possible to send a webpage from your PC to your phone, but the Click to Call function now lets you select phone numbers and push them to your Android smartphone. Android Police ( http://bit.ly/2pCtuep ) describes how this works.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox ( https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/new ) release 70 is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS (check your version via the Menu button, Help; About Firefox).

Trackers. The new version offers better protection against social media trackers, which means that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn will be less capable of tracking your surfing activities. This is no luxury, because even when you don’t use these services, they can keep an eye on you! The level of protection is set to “standard” by default, but you can change this via the new Privacy Protections dashboard which you can call up via the hamburger menu in the top right-hand corner or by typing about:protections in the address bar. You will also find an overview of blocked trackers, fingerprinters and cryptominers (see https://mzl.la/2K3aRqP ).

Passwords. The same Privacy Protections dashboard gives direct access to Firefox Lockwise ( https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/lockwise ), the tool for managing all your passwords. It can also generate safe combinations that you can synchronise across all your devices.

Data breaches. The Firefox Monitor ( https://monitor.firefox.com ), now part of Privacy Protections, tells you whether your account has been the victim of a known data breach. After signing up, you will receive alerts in case of new data breaches.

Firefox 70 also tells you clearly when you’re surfing across an unprotected connection - see the Mozilla Security Blog ( https://mzl.la/32l3zFf ) for more details.

Make sure you are using the latest versions of Chrome and Firefox. Chrome 78 now has an integrated password checker, while Firefox 70 focuses more than ever on your privacy and security.

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