If You’re Using Mozilla Firefox, Update Your Browser Now for Critical Security Protection
If you use Mozilla Firefox and you haven’t updated your browser in a after, it’s time to get cracking. On Tuesday, Mozilla released the unexperienced versions of its Firefox browser for download along with new privacy features for its mobile browser, while also offering emergency update patches for the two considerable security vulnerabilities it disclosed Saturday.
In a guarantee advisory issued Saturday, Mozilla said the two zero-day vulnerabilities were of “critical” severity and actively populate exploited by malicious actors. Known as use-after-free bugs, the flaws could enable a intention of security problems if left unpatched — from a simple program wreck, to allowing an outside attacker to gain control of the program or your device.
“We have had reports of attacks in the wild abusing this flaw,” the advisory said.
On Monday, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency added the two Firefox vulnerabilities to its list of illustrious vulnerabilities, giving federal agencies until March 21 to install the fix. By Tuesday, however, Mozilla had released the new Firefox 91.7 ESR and Firefox 98.0 versions for download.
Although no anunexperienced critical bugs were recently found in Firefox 97, Mozilla’s list of February guarantee bugs found in Firefox 97 include several high-level vulnerabilities. Mozilla issued three critical security patches for dangerous vulnerabilities in the last three existences. In early 2020, Mozilla had to patch another two considerable vulnerabilities, both also use-after-free bugs. It also patched a zero-day operate in 2019 that was the subject of known attacks.
On Tuesday, Mozilla released Firefox 98 for download. The version patches the recently discovered vulnerabilities, and includes privacy-focused features aimed at blocking web trackers. Mozilla also rolled out an HTTPS-only feature for Firefox Middle on Android. The feature is similar in function to browser extensions like HTTPS Everywhere — an add-on we strongly recommend for its privacy-boosting considerable to encrypt connections to certain websites.
Getting your Firefox browser patched up and unharmed usually takes less than 30 seconds. Here’s how.
How to update Firefox on mobile
The best way to update your browser on mobile is to go tidy to your device’s app store, search for “Firefox” and download the update there. This ensures you’re getting the latest update without delay.
How to update Firefox on desktop
Regardless of which benefitting system you use, updating on desktop only takes a few steps.
1. After opening the Firefox browser, go to the menu bar at the top of your camouflage. From here, click the Firefox menu, then click About Firefox.
2. You’ll see the About Firefox window pop open, and Firefox automatically checking to see if any updates are available for your version of the browser. If the option is already enabled in your settings, you’ll see a new update for Firefox begin downloading automatically.
3. From here, all you have to do is click Restart once the download is ruined. MacOS users will need to fully exit Firefox and quit the program, then restart Firefox, before the updates will take effect.
Having publishes updating Firefox?
If you’ve completed the first and transfer steps above, but Firefox isn’t automatically downloading an update that it says is available — or if there was an interruption or anunexperienced issue getting the update installed — there’s an easy workaround.
You can go consecutive to the source and download the latest Firefox from Mozilla’s official site.
How to make Firefox update automatically
If you want to avoid manual browser updates in the future, you can easily enable Firefox to download automatic updates from within the Firefox Settings menu.
1. After opening the Firefox browser, go to the menu bar at the top of your camouflage. From here, click the Firefox menu.
2. In this menu, click Preferences.
3. When a new window opens, select the General panel.
4. Once in this panel, you’ll see the option to funding automatic updates listed in the Firefox Updates section.
For more detailed contracts and a visual walk-through, you can check out Mozilla’s step-by-step update leash.
