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Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

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Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#21

Post by tgv »

pmontra wrote: post #14

I use Firefox so I don't really have a meaningful experience with Chrome. What I can tell you is that any time I open the matrix of uMatrix (it's one click on the toolbar) I often see a zillion of sites and potential script and XHR requests. Only a few are really needed to display the content of page or even to make some complex UI work. In almost no case blocking the scripts for telemetry, error reporting, etc break…

That's an important factor. Chrome now restricts "ad blockers", but those protect from more than ads.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#22

Post by maverick74 »

cies wrote: post #20
maverick74 wrote: post #6

Let's not talk about privacy (because there is no point in talking about it: Firefox is eons more private than Chrome - or any of it's based browsers - can ever be) About security: Chrome has a biggest workforce, yes. but let's think about this a bit... First, let's not forget that chrome is also a bigger target. let's imagine this: Consider that 90% of the users worldwide use chromium-based browsers, and you are an…

> Firefox is eons more private than Chrome - or any of it's based browsers - can ever be Some progress is made though... Brave: https://brave.com Thorium: https://github.com/Alex313031/thorium

Yes,

Specially Brave (within the Chromium-spectrum only) is probably one of the best choices (if we ignore some details, of course...)

Still, i actually have more faith in servo: https://servo.org

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#23

Post by cies »

maverick74 wrote: post #22
cies wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Firefox is eons more private than Chrome - or any of it's based browsers - can ever be Some progress is made though... Brave: https://brave.com Thorium: https://github.com/Alex313031/thorium

Yes, Specially Brave (within the Chromium-spectrum only) is probably one of the best choices (if we ignore some details, of course...) Still, i actually have more faith in servo: https://servo.org

> i actually have more faith in servo: https://servo.org

Together with RedoxOS, COSMIC EPIC, and coreutils in Rust -- the future holds such great potential :)

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#24

Post by pil0u »

maverick74 wrote: post #6

Let's not talk about privacy (because there is no point in talking about it: Firefox is eons more private than Chrome - or any of it's based browsers - can ever be) About security: Chrome has a biggest workforce, yes. but let's think about this a bit... First, let's not forget that chrome is also a bigger target. let's imagine this: Consider that 90% of the users worldwide use chromium-based browsers, and you are an…

10% of a couple of billions users is still a massive absolute amount of users.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#25

Post by emayljames »

You are ignoring the elephant in the room, so to speak. Apple has a large share of mobile browser usage with Safari (a Webkit browser). Add to this also that any browser used on iOS is webkit.

That aside, what you are asking is really just you giving your personal preference of a browser and if we agree.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#26

Post by indymike »

Both browsers are very large, very old software. Both companies are big enough to support fast response to exploits. There’s really nothing technical you can point out that makes one more secure. Firefox scores better on privacy which tips the scales towards Firefox.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#28

Post by pmontra »

frognumber wrote: post #18

I will make a controversial comment: My experience is that security is a function of simplicity and individuals having a complete understanding of the code and implications of changes. Implications: - A smaller team will generally lead to more secure software than a larger team. - Many security layers are counterproductive. In studies, bugs per KLOC are relatively consistent. A 100-line program can be fully auditable…

> My experience is that security is a function of simplicity

I don't think this is controversial at all. For example: I keep using uMatrix to block (by default) or allow scripts, frames and XHR because it's orders of magnitudes simpler to use than the way the same developer added that functionality to uBlock Origin. I still use uBO to block ads and hide unwanted elements from the DOM. It's the difference between writing [pick your favorite high level language] and machine code. If all I had was uBO I would let those scripts run.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#29

Post by collyw »

maverick74 wrote: post #6

Let's not talk about privacy (because there is no point in talking about it: Firefox is eons more private than Chrome - or any of it's based browsers - can ever be) About security: Chrome has a biggest workforce, yes. but let's think about this a bit... First, let's not forget that chrome is also a bigger target. let's imagine this: Consider that 90% of the users worldwide use chromium-based browsers, and you are an…

I find this to be a bit of a weak argument. What you make makes sense, but of for some reason a glaring security hole is noticed, people are going to take advantage of it.

Re: Ask HN: Is Firefox better than Chrome when it comes to user security?

#30

Post by robin_reala »

nubinetwork wrote: post #17

For Chrome, you have to deal with Google. For Firefox, you have to worry about the next "pocket", or the next "Mr. Robot"... Manifest v3 is looming as well. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. /shrug

It’s not really equal though is it? One’s the biggest advertising company the world has ever seen that hoovers up personal data like there’s no tomorrow, and the other is a one-time stupid mistake that they rolled back and apologised for.
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