Firefox is one of the best web browsers that we can find today, an open source browser focused, above all, on the privacy of its users. This browser seeks to open a gap between users who really want a reliable and private browser to navigate, a software over which they have control. Mozilla, responsible for the development of this browser, is constantly innovating and looking for a way to get ahead of Chrome and Edge, its two main rivals. And today it takes another step forward with the launch of Firefox 84, the new version of this browser .
As scheduled in the release schedule, Mozilla has just released the new version of its web browser. The new Firefox 84 comes alongside version ESR 78.6 to offer users greater security, more control over extension permissions and, of course, to drive the final nail in the coffin of Flash Player.
What’s new in Firefox 84
The first of the novelties that we find in this new version is a new optional permission system for extensions . This feature has been in the testing phase since October in the Nightly branch, and has finally reached all users. With it, developers can configure a series of optional permissions to enable new functions to the extensions. Users will be the ones who choose if they want to enable or disable these special permissions from the “about: addons” section. Of course, you have to bear in mind that removing permissions to some extensions can cause them to work badly, or not.
Another important change to take into account is that this version will be the last one that Flash will bring . Adobe will stop supporting its plugin on January 1, 2021, and the developers will remove the plugin in their next updates. Since the arrival of Firefox 85 it will be impossible to open websites with this browser, unless we use the ESR version, in which case we will have a few more months to say goodbye to it.
Other important changes that we can take into account are:
- The Windows uninstaller no longer asks us for UAC permissions.
- WebRender comes to macOS and linux receives a new rendering acceleration system.
- Ability to zoom to extensions, popups and browser bars by pressing Control and the mouse wheel.
- Local URLs are now assumed to be safe, so mixed content warnings will not be displayed.
Finally, indicate that this version of the browser is prepared to work on the new Apple ARM processors natively, although with some other problem.
Download or update
The new Firefox 84 will reach all users today, as always, free. Users who have the browser installed will be able to use OTA updates to download and install this new version. This update will be downloaded and installed automatically as soon as it is available, and we can check it (or force it) from the Help> About Firefox section .
We can also download Firefox from its website (where it will appear in the next few hours), and even from the FTP , in case we do not want to wait to test its news.
The next Firefox update , 85, will arrive, if all goes well, on January 26, 2021. This version, finally, will be the first to permanently eliminate Flash, or what is the same, the first to come without any plugin NPAPI. The wait has been long, but finally it comes to an end.