Mozilla has released Firefox 69 for macOS, which brings performance boosts and security improvements.
The new version of the browser now blocks third-party tracking cookies by default for all users. While the feature had been in place as a part of the browser’s Enhanced Tracking Protection system that was launched back in June, but it hadn’t been a default setting for all users. Now Firefox users are protected by default.
Firefox’s anti-tracking features now also block cryptomining, which is when the bad guys use your processor cycles (eating up your battery life) in the background as it mines for cryptocurrency as the user browses the web. Fingerprinting is also blocked in the user-selected Strict mode. Mozilla says the protection feature will be enabled by default in a later release.
Users can detect whether Enhance Tracking protection is enabled by looking for a shield icon in the address bar. If the shield appears, it means tracker blocking is enabled.
Non-security features making an appearance in Firefox 69 are the ability to block autoplaying videos (even silent videos). And a new “New Tab” page experience connects users to the best of Pocket’s content. MacBook users should also see improved battery life, and a new download manager interface displays file download progress.
Current Firefox users should see an automatic upgrade to the latest version after restarting the browser. If you don’t already have it installed, you can try Firefox 69 by downloading it from the Mozilla website.
(Via MacRumors)