Web Browser News

Firefox Update

If Firefox is your browser of choice, be aware Mozilla has released an update for Version 1.5 that fixes several security flaws and makes other changes aimed at improving the open-source Web browser. The update, Firefox version 1.5.0.1, patches a total of eight security vulnerabilities. Mozilla deems one “critical”, four are rated "moderate" risk, and three are tagged "low" risk. The more serious flaws could let an attacker take over a system running a vulnerable version of Firefox, according to Mozilla's security alerts.

Security monitoring company Secunia rates the Firefox update "highly critical." Mozilla recommends that all users switch over to this latest version, according to the Firefox update release notes.

To get the latest update, go to your "Help" drop-down menu at the top of the browser page, then click on "Check for Updates," and follow the directions on the screen.

Beta Test the New Internet Explorer 7

If you are a brave soul who likes to test out new products, why not try out the beta test version of Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 7 (IE). You can download from the Internet Explorer section of Microsoft's corporate Web site.

The latest version works only with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and includes many of the features Microsoft has been touting for months. Among them are tabbed browsing, a search box on the toolbar, new security and privacy protection capabilities such as mechanisms designed to combat phishing attacks, spyware and other threats.

Another new feature lets users clear their browsing history more easily and thus wipe out passwords, form data and cookies in one click. New printing enhancements and Shrink to Fit printing features enable users to adjust margins, change the page layout, remove headers or footers, and increase or decrease the print space.

Microsoft will release the final version of IE 7 later this year, around the time the company debuts the next version of its Windows operating system, Windows Vista. But, if you can't wait, give the beta a try. You can also watch a three-minute video demonstration of the new browser on the CNET Web Site.

New Google Tool Bar

Want to try another beta product? Google has released a beta version of its new Google Toolbar 4, an update to the search toolbar used by millions. With this version users can add custom buttons that will either search your favorite site without your having to go there or take you directly to it. A drop-down menu on the button itself can even reveal the latest headlines from that site.

With the public launch of this update, users will be able to install ready-made buttons from the Google Button Gallery. Web site owners will also be able to create custom buttons for their own sites that can be shared with visitors.

There is a new Send To button lets you share pages via blog (you need a Blogger.com account), e-mail (you need a Gmail account), or text message (SMS).

You can try out the new beta version toolbar by downloading it from the Google Toolbar Web page.