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LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

librewolf.net

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Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#51

Post by danjoredd »

extr0pian wrote: post #10

Just yesterday I had noticed that, "Suggestions from sponsors" in the address bar had been turned back on after a recent Firefox update, and then installed Librewolf. I really want to use it as my main browser, but certain use cases such as online banking (at least with my credit union) doesn't seem to work properly, so I re-disabled "Suggestions from sponsors" in Firefox and went on with my day. Seriously, changing…

Mozilla has been frustrating, at least to me lately. I want to support them, but very little of the money given to them goes to the browser itself or even their research projects, and the "phoning home" aspect also annoys me. On top of that they are also heavily funded by Google. My personal theory on why they do that is so they don't get hit with an antitrust. Its concerning to me though because that means Google has influence in Firefox, so "using the alternative" still means being affected by Google's decision making. They have stood against some of Google's decisions like their web DRM, which is great! But I do wonder if any lower-profile changes might have been pushed through on Google's request.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#52

Post by 542458 »

Phelinofist wrote: post #45
Nextgrid wrote: post #4

There are many valid counterpoints on why you shouldn't trust/use this, but the mere existence of it raises a very valid point and calls Mozilla's BS; why does this fork exist at all if Mozilla supposedly cares about your privacy, security and freedom?

> There are many valid counterpoints on why you shouldn't trust/use this Such as?

Binaries are unsigned, third party update service, Google safe browsing disabled unless you build from source, running unusual browser setups can actually make you more distinctive online, unencrypted DNS by default, speed of security patches is slower than base Firefox, etc.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#53

Post by sneak »

westpfelia wrote: post #49
gabereiser wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tracking is tracking, no matter what outcomes you derive from it.

So your general thesis is that software that tracks errors and problems the software might have, and software that deliberately slows down the machine to make you buy new hardware A LA Apple is 100% the same thing?

The Apple throttling thing was specifically to extend the life of the device. When a battery is old, if the CPU is not throttled, the device will instantly power off when the draw is too high.

Apple was throttling the CPU when the battery was old and could not sustain such power draw peaks in an effort to make the device remain usable for a longer period with a mostly-consumed battery pack. Had they not done so, the device would be unusable sooner.

To assert that it is to make you buy new hardware is a factual error.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#55

Post by mozvalentin »

gabereiser wrote: post #31
mangecoeur wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Telemetry and spyware are not the same thing (irrespective of whatever Firefox is doing). There is a big difference between tracking to try to understand how users are using a software or getting information on bugs and crashes, and tracking with the aim of monetizing personal data. I'm personally not crazy about telemetry implying information is uploaded to a software provider, but from experience I know that trying…

Tracking is tracking, no matter what outcomes you derive from it.

You can actually see all of the telemetry data Firefox is sending by going to about:telemetry in your browser. You can also see all of the probes it could be collecting here: https://probes.telemetry.mozilla.org/ Keep in mind that the telemetry that is captured in Firefox goes through a thorough review process, so that it respects user privacy: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Data_Collection

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#56

Post by sneak »

dangus wrote: post #42
sneak wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It happens without obtaining consent. Notice is not consent. It's nonconsensual. The example I provide: imagine if you put up a sign at the entrance to a party that said "by entering this party, you are going to be groped". Telling someone you are about to violate consent is not the same as getting affirmative consent. Equating them is dishonest.

That sign example is exactly what the film industry does to notify people of filming activity inside an establishment. It’s perfectly reasonable. Using the example of sexual assault just makes the issue look more extreme than it is. You might as well say “By entering this building you consent to be murdered,” but we all know that’s taking the slippery slope too far. Usage statistics and bug telemetry isn’t the same a…

You don't need consent to film someone in a public space. It's done as a courtesy, not a legal requirement.

My computer is not a public space and the software that is installed on it, and when, and the IP address used to do so, are private information. Exfiltrating that data without consent is a violation of my right to privacy, full stop. Nothing that is said, no notice that is provided, can change that.

You could just as well say "by entering this building you consent to be murdered". It illustrates the point similarly: a lack of objection is not affirmative consent.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#57

Post by archargelod »

Astronaut3315 wrote: post #39
ShowalkKama wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's open source, you can simply look at the code (or, better, at the differences with firefox)

Just like that North Korean symbol downloader on GitHub, which had a malware downloader hidden in plain sight for nearly a year with no one noticing?

There are far more eyes on firefox and it's hardened forks, then on a random/obscure piece of software (sorry, I have no idea what exact malware you're referencing).

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#58

Post by Firmwarrior »

mangecoeur wrote: post #27
sneak wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mozilla ships Firefox with telemetry (aka spyware, given that it operates silently and automatically without consent) enabled by default. They also ship closed source DRM in the browser which infringes on software freedoms. Mozilla doesn't actually care that much about privacy or freedom, it's just marketing to make line go up and to the right while Mozilla staff can keep collecting paychecks for being "the good guys…

Telemetry and spyware are not the same thing (irrespective of whatever Firefox is doing). There is a big difference between tracking to try to understand how users are using a software or getting information on bugs and crashes, and tracking with the aim of monetizing personal data. I'm personally not crazy about telemetry implying information is uploaded to a software provider, but from experience I know that trying…

Firefox doesn't get to wear the white hat if they're doing a bunch of shady stuff and saying it's for my own good.

By your logic, realistically, Google invading my privacy isn't a particularly big deal since they know the value of the data they're harvesting and will guard it. And third party data brokers are actually just making my web experience more tailored and relevant, so I should let them have their way with me too. Everyone has a good reason to cram something into my business.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#59

Post by sneak »

mangecoeur wrote: post #27
sneak wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mozilla ships Firefox with telemetry (aka spyware, given that it operates silently and automatically without consent) enabled by default. They also ship closed source DRM in the browser which infringes on software freedoms. Mozilla doesn't actually care that much about privacy or freedom, it's just marketing to make line go up and to the right while Mozilla staff can keep collecting paychecks for being "the good guys…

Telemetry and spyware are not the same thing (irrespective of whatever Firefox is doing). There is a big difference between tracking to try to understand how users are using a software or getting information on bugs and crashes, and tracking with the aim of monetizing personal data. I'm personally not crazy about telemetry implying information is uploaded to a software provider, but from experience I know that trying…

> There is a big difference between tracking to try to understand how users are using a software or getting information on bugs and crashes, and tracking with the aim of monetizing personal data.

I don't see the difference. In one case you are trying to improve your product using stolen data (which presumably results in your user sat scores and/or userbase going up and you continuing to receive a paycheck, ie monetization), and in the other case you are just selling the stolen data directly.

In both cases you are taking private data without consent and using it to get money, or money-equivalent things (like a better product or more users).

Technically and philosophically there is absolutely no distinguishing feature between opt-out "telemetry" and spyware. Both are using private user activity information, exfiltrated silently and without affirmative consent.

Re: LibreWolf – Custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom

#60

Post by [deleted] »

snowram wrote: post #44
extr0pian wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I get the concept of using different browsers for different things to compartmentalize, and I've tried it, but to me it just seems like I'm making my life more complicated switching back and forth, and I feel like it's cluttering up my system. I love how Librewolf takes privacy to another level, but honestly, all I want is Firefox without all the BS and the ability to disable things I don't want (and not having…

A custom user.js will do the job

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