Firefox's latest update brings sponsored links, web authentication, more

Mozilla is out with another feature-packed update to its Firefox browser. Following up on its speedy Quantum overhaul from Nov, Firefox threescore packs new enterprise features, support for web authentication, and a potentially controversial movement to include sponsored links in your new tab feed.

One of the biggest additions is Firefox Quantum for Enterprise. The browser can now be customized by It professionals for employees in order to "optimize for performance on the job," Mozilla says. That includes using Group Policy on Windows, or a JSON file across Windows, Mac, and Linux. Administrators tin as well choose to deploy the Rapid Release or Extended Support Release of Firefox for employees.

Firefox threescore is also the first version of the browser to ship with support for the new WebAuthn standard, which is beingness billed as a manner to make passwords a thing of the past. The standard allows websites and browsers that support information technology to utilise biometrics and USB tokens, such as YubiKey, instead of passwords for web logins. Some online services already back up these methods, but WebAuthn gives browsers and services a common standard to build off of.

Finally, the new tab feel has seen a slight revamp to include a wider layout and more icons in the "Meridian Sites" portion. The bigger news, however, is that Firefox's Pocket recommendations will now include sponsored stories, starting with users in the U.S. "Information technology's function of our focus to deliver personalization, without sacrificing user privacy," Mozilla says. "What's unique is that all the recommendations happen on your calculator, significant neither Mozilla, Pocket, nor sponsors receive a copy of your browsing history."

Here's a look at the release notes for Firefox 60:

Added a policy engine that allows customized Firefox deployments in enterprise environments, using Windows Group Policy or a cross-platform JSON file

Enhancements to New Tab / Firefox Dwelling

Responsive layout that shows more content for users with wide-screen displays

Highlights section includes spider web sites saved to Pocket

More options to reorder sections and content on the page

Pocket Sponsored Stories will appear for a percentage of users in the US. Read nigh our privacy-witting approach to sponsored content

Redesigned Cookies and Site Storage section in Preferences for greater clarity and command of first- and third-political party cookies

Applied Breakthrough CSS to render browser UI

Added support for Web Authentication API, which allows USB tokens for website hallmark

Enhanced camera privacy indicators: Firefox now turns off your camera and the camera'due south low-cal when you disable video recording, and turns the camera and light on when you resume recording

Added an pick for Linux users to bear witness or hide page titles in a bar at the top of the browser. Y'all'll find the Championship Bar pick in the Customize panel available from the main browser bill of fare.

Improved WebRTC audio functioning and playback for Linux users

Locale added: Occitan (oc)

Inverse the Windows shortcut for inbound Reader View to F9, for better compatibility with keyboard layouts that apply AltGr

Bookmarks no longer support multiple keywords for the same URL unless the request has different Postal service data

TLS certificates issued by Symantec before June 1st, 2022 are no longer trusted by Firefox

Updated the Skia graphics library to milestone 66

If you already have Firefox installed, you should be able to update to version 60 now. Otherwise, you can download Firefox 60 from Mozilla now.

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