A new attack has been found in which Internet Explorer could be used to activate Firefox and run malicious code. It’s done through a Firefox protocol handler used to to execute ‘firefoxurl://’ commands. According to Vnunet, “If Internet Explorer is used on a page that tries to use the ‘firefoxurl://’ the browser will activate Firefox automatically and allow malicious code to be run in JavaScript.” The exploit was found by security reasearcher Thor Larholm, and there is currently no patch but Mozilla says they’re working on it.

As to confirm the Safari for Windows speculation in January, Safari is now available for download on Windows. At the WWDC, Steve Jobs did a benchmark between Safari and Internet Explorer on Windows, and according to MacRumors, “Safari is twice as fast.” Also, according to the Apple site, Safari beats Opera, Firefox, and IE in three major benchmarks of HTML performance, JavaScript performance, and Application Launch. The public beta is available at apple.com/safari

You all know how much I love Firefox. One reason is because they are constantly innovating and creating exciting stuff over at Mozilla. One which we hinted at before was the new ‘Places’ feature back in December. Here’s some of the latest and coolest features that might make it to Firefox 3.0 final…

• ‘Places’ bookmark management system (shown above) which includes support for: Web Page Tagging, Smart Folders, and Saved searches
• Changes to the Location Bar. This will prevent malicious sites from placing visual cues in the location bar (like using a lock as a favicon), and the change in text color (shown below) will help users identify the web site domain.
  
• Private Browsing. Put Firefox into a temporary state where no information about the user’s browsing session is stored locally. (shown below)
  

Check out more details and screenshots

Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker has just told APC Magazine about a mobile version of Firefox in the works. No word on any release date as Baker stated this is a “long‑term move”.

The Mozilla CEO also says, “We have an experiment underway which is clearly a PC-centric experiment related to mobiles (so this is not a pure mobile strategy), but we are experimenting with the relationship between Firefox users and their mobile devices.”

Looking at Opera’s current position in the mobile and even game console markets, this is an imperative move for Firefox. Check out Mozilla’s Minimo project, which is basically “a small version of Firefox with many of the same features offered.” for mobile devices.

A new extension for Firefox called Firekeeper is available for testing in alpha right now. Once installed, you’ll get pop-ups alerting you if a site has been compromised by any malicious code. In the pop-up alert which identifies the problem URL, you get options to: Block once, Allow once, Whitelist, or Blacklist this URL.

After testing on the Mozilla site, this new extension looks to be pretty effective. Keep in mind that HOW you surf is the ultimate safe way to surf, keeping away from sites that

Via Webware

A newly found flaw in Internet Explorer 7 lets you mask the display of the current website, and get around IE7’s phishing filter. Both Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems are affected according to Michal Zalewski, the guy who uncovered the flaw.

Microsoft says they’re still working on an internal assessment of the reported hole. Zalewski has provided a demo to allow people to test the flaw.

More via heise Security and Secunia

Just came across these 46 add-ons for Firefox 2 and Internet Explorer 7, a list by PC World. That’s what the latest versions of these browsers are all about, customization and tweaking them to the max.

These add-ons will help you get the most out of your browser of choice: Get anything from more secure browsing to site sharing, better search capability, and more effective news gathering.

Mozilla is speculating that Safari may be coming to Windows in the not so distant future.

As Monkey Bites reports: Buried in yesterday’s tentative Firefox 3 wiki roadmap document is this line: “WebKit may be ported to Windows.”

Some are saying there is a strong connection between this ‘Windows Safari’ thing and Apple wanting the iPhone to work seamlessly with Windows. Someone even made a fake screenshot of what Safari would look like in Windows (shown above). How would such a move benefit Apple though (besides the iPhone connection)?

Webspeaker author Surge says, “Browsers are apparently configured for dial-up users. This video shows in just a few steps how you can make some hacky changes to speed up your browsing.”

It made a significant difference for me on Firefox 2. Obviously it will vary for everyone depending on your connection speed, but give it a shot. I was impressed. Watch below…

Via Webspeaker, Directions for Firefox hack at Hack A Day

Still drooling over Firefox 2? The alpha version of Firefox 3.0, Gran Paradiso, has just been uploaded to Mozilla’s public FTP server for download.

According to the Mozilla Wiki, one new feature planned for Firefox 3 new is “places”,a fresh approach to bookmarks and browser history.

Another improvement is in the ‘tabbed browsing’ department, adding the ability to move around and reorder tabs in a single browser, as well as a button right next to the last open tab that brings up a new tab, taking another page out of the IE7 list of features.

Additionally, Firefox 3 will add the ability to receive automatic Firefox updates, like security updates. No word on an official release date yet, but can’t wait!

Via TG Daily