As Firefox approaches its 20th anniversary on November 9, 2024, the release of Firefox 132 brings a wave of enhancements and security fixes that celebrate its legacy. Originally launched as a successor to Netscape Navigator, Firefox has evolved significantly over the years. With the latest update, users can enjoy new features and improved privacy controls, reaffirming Mozilla’s commitment to a safer browsing experience.
One of the standout features in Firefox 132 is its support for 4K video playback from major streaming platforms, made possible through Microsoft PlayReady technology. Although this capability is being rolled out incrementally across select websites, it promises to enhance video streaming quality while reducing battery consumption. Alongside this, Firefox has tightened its privacy measures, particularly for those using “strict mode” settings. The browser now blocks all third-party cookies and limits the maximum lifetime of cookies to 400 days, effectively enhancing user privacy against tracking.
For those who use Firefox across multiple devices, synchronization has become more seamless. Users can now easily synchronize bookmarks, open tabs, and passwords, while also benefiting from a new sidebar feature that allows for the management of tabs across devices. To activate this sidebar, users simply need to adjust a flag in the settings.
As part of its dedication to security, Mozilla has addressed 11 vulnerabilities in this update, including two categorized as “high risk.” Notably, CVE-2024-10459 pertains to a use-after-free vulnerability that could allow attackers to crash the browser and execute arbitrary code. Another critical fix, CVE-2024-10458, addresses issues with authorization transfers from secure to insecure sites, which could pose significant risks to user data.
The release of Firefox 132 not only enhances its feature set but also underscores Mozilla’s focus on security, making it a noteworthy milestone as the browser nears its two-decade mark.
