Pale Moon 27.7.0 release information
Pale Moon 27.7.0 is a new version of the web browser that was released on January 15, 2018. The latest version introduces new features as well as stability, security, and privacy improvements.
Pale Moon shares a lot of code with Mozilla Firefox, but there are fundamental changes between both browsers. These differences were catapulted to a new level when Mozilla announced that it would cut legacy features from Firefox.
The development team of the web browser shared its vision for the browser’s future in early 2017. The decision was made back then to support Firefox legacy features such as the legacy add-on system or plugins, and to start work on a new browser project that goes under the codename Basilisk.
Basilisk may become the source for a future version of Pale Moon, but it is a separate project right now. The first version of Basilisk Browser is available already.
Pale Moon 27.7.0
Pale Moon 27.7.0 is available for download on the official project website and through the browser’s automatic updating mechanics. You run a manual check for updates with a click on Pale Moon > Help > About Pale Moon. Updates are downloaded and installed automatically when discovered.
The Pale moon release notes list all changes that went into the version. Pale Moon 27.7.0 includes several significant privacy and security changes. The browser won’t fill out log-in details anymore by default to reduce risks of them being stolen or abused for tracking purposes.
Pale Moon users find a new setting under Preferences > Security called “Automatically fill in log-in details” which they may use to enable the auto-fill functionality again.
The new Pale Moon version comes with additional privacy improvements. It features a new configuration parameter to disable the visibility Web API to block sites from finding out whether they are actively displayed to the user.
Load the address about:config?filter=dom.visibilityAPI.enabled to manage the new preference. A value of true means that the API is enabled, a value of false that it is disabled.
The developers disabled the sending of referrer information when links are opened in new private windows as well in the new version.
Pale Moon users who used the “ask every time” cookie policy will notice that it is not available anymore. The team suggests using extensions that control the setting of cookies instead.
Pale Moon 27.7.0 includes the performance timer changes that prevent Spectre attacks against the browser. Mozilla implemented the changes earlier this month in the Firefox browser as well.
Other changes
Most of the remaining modifications fix issues in the browser or re-organize things. Linux users find Preferences under Tools in the new version, and the “restart with add-ons disabled” option was renamed to “restart in Safe Mode.”
The new version fixed a crash issue, updated the SQLite library, and fixed lots of bugs besides that. I suggest you check out the official release notes for a full rundown on what changed in the new version. (via gHacks)
Now You: Which web browser do you use predominantly nowadays?
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