Firefox 3.0 web browser set for release next week

2008-06-12 20:49:56 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Technology)

Kansas City, Missouri (WiredPRNews.com) — The Internet is constantly renewing itself with faster speed, increased usability and strengthened security from every angle. With high tech browsers always seeking ways to improve, Mozilla has upgraded their popular Firefox browser to exceed their current application with all the key elements plus enhanced performance, memory and usage.

According to a recent report by the Associated Press, one of the key improvements of the browser involves bookmarking. “The new version lets Web surfers add keywords, or tags, to sort bookmarks by topic. A new ‘Places’ feature lets users quickly access sites they recently bookmarked or tagged and pages they visit frequently but haven’t bookmarked.”

For those that frequently download from the internet, Firefox 3.0 will feature a new capability in which downloads can be resumed from where they left off if the connection is interrupted for any reason as well as an enhanced password manager which will streamline the log in process. Mike Schroepfer, the project’s VP of engineering, pointed out some new design features of Firefox 3.0. The back button, for instance, has been enlarged since users typically return to the previous page they visited for often.

Security has become a cornerstone of recent upgrades to online applications and Mozilla has taken their newest edition to the next level by disabling “phishing” scams which have proven to be a large hindrance in the past. The report states, “Firefox also will start blocking rather than simply warning about sites known to engage in “phishing” scams that try to trick users into revealing passwords and other sensitive information. The new version adds protection from sites known to distribute viruses and other malicious software.”

The development stages for Firefox 3.0 has been three years in the making with public testing available since November 2007. As the number 2 web browser immediately behind Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla differs from the top browser as it is an open-source application made up of free products which is fostered by a staff of thousands, most of them volunteers.

Mozilla supporters are said to be organizing several launch parties across the globe and is also trying their hand at setting a world record for the most software downloads in one day.

Wired Technology Reporter