Mozilla Firefox is the name given to what is considered the second most popular web browser in the world today. It is only surpassed by Google Chime. It is an open source browser that allows you to browse the Internet in a very comfortable and fast way, which has made it very popular and has more than 500 million users around the world.
It is based on the Gecko search engine, which is characterized by implementing web standards that are always duly updated. As it is free software, any developer can modify it as needed. This has made it one of the best options for both app developers and hackers.
What is Firefox and what is it for?
As we have already mentioned Mozilla Firefox is a web browser, which, as its name suggests, is used to access the information present on any web page that is part of the Internet spectrum.
Among its main features are browsing by tabs and a careful interface in which there are different extensions and complements that are focused on improving the user experience in every way. This means that there is a spell checker, a task manager, etc., in addition to having the possibility of adding third-party add-ons to be able to extend its functionalities.
These plugins or extensions can help when it comes to enjoying a more personalized navigation, since they offer the possibility of enjoying additional functions, such as downloading images in bulk from a page or having information related to the SEO of a page. Web.
These extensions make Firefox an even more interesting option. It is important to note that this is a cross-platform operating system. Therefore it can be used on macros, Linux, Android, is and Linux.
It is software that is compatible with several web languages, among which are: HTML, CSS, XML, SVG, DOM, DTD, Math, etc. It also highlights its security, since it has different systems focused on protecting communication with web servers. It also includes antimalware and ant phishing protection and allows integration with the antivirus.
It should be noted that it does not have compatibility with ActiveX systems, since the Mozilla Foundation decided not to include it considering that it has security vulnerabilities.
History of Firefox
Firefox started out as an experimental branch of the Mozilla project, which was run by Joe Hewitt, Blake Ross, and Dave Hyatt. At that time the demands placed on the Netscape browser and the features of the Mozilla Application Suite required greater functionality. For this reason they chose to develop Mozilla Firefox, an independent browser.
In 2003, the company confirmed that it would focus on developing Firefox and its Thunderbird email manager. Throughout its history, the browser has changed its name several times. At first it was called Phoenix, but for legal reasons it had to be replaced.
They then chose to call it Firebird, though he made the identically named database protest. Social pressure caused other names to be considered, and finally in 2004 Mozilla Firefox appeared.
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Advantages and disadvantages of using Mozilla Firefox
As with any other program, using Mozilla Firefox as a browser has a series of advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering. In this way, if you are thinking of changing your web browser, you will be able to know its main strengths and those that are weaker. We go with them:
Advantages of Firefox
- Passwords are more secure using Firefox as it is less vulnerable than other browsers like Internet Explorer.
- Before going to a website, it is possible to know the risks that this access implies. In this way, from the search engine you can easily know the place you are going to access, who it belongs to and if it is a secure portal.
- Verifies antivirus updates, allowing integration with them for greater security.
- It has a large catalog of extensions available for download and that allow you to enjoy additional functions.
- It has a fast and easy to use «Favorites» system, as well as a complete and attractive management of bookmarks.
- You can navigate at high speed, without problems when accessing web pages.
- Firefox updates automatically, so you can always count on the improvements of the new versions.
Disadvantages of Firefox
- Mozilla Firefox does not make use of separate processes on each tab. This means that when faced with a high load it can cause it to block. That is, you can get to hang. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, it is possible to recover the session, so that you can continue where you left off, thus minimizing the problem.
- Not all web portals are optimized to be viewed in Firefox, so in some cases you may experience display problems. However, today, most web pages can be viewed perfectly on any browser and device.
Tanner Abraham
Data Scientist and Software Engineer with a focus on experimental projects in new budding technologies that incorporate machine learning and quantum computing into web applications.
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