Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Unlucky number 13? New Firefox browser version exposes private data
Unlucky number 13? New Firefox browser version exposes private data
http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/25/unlucky-number-13-new-firefox-browser-version-exposes-private-data/
June 25, 2012 8:05 AM
John Koetsier
The latest update to web browser Firefox may have an unlucky number, but it certainly has an unlucky feature: a privacy slip that could allow anyone using your computer to view private, encrypted pages that you previously visited.
The problem is in a new feature that adds thumbnails of recently visited, favorite, or pinned websites on new browser tabs. Mozilla, the organization that makes the Firefox browser, says the feature is intended to increase ease-of use: “When you create a new tab, Firefox shows your top sites to make getting where you want to go easier than ever.”
To enable the new feature, however, Mozilla built the ability into the browser to take regular screenshots. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop taking screenshots when the browser is on a secure, encrypted connection, meaning that users who access banking information or other private sites run the risk of that data becoming public knowledge when friends or family members use their computers.
The problem was discovered by a reader of The Register who opened a new tab to be greeted by his banking balances and account numbers.
http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/25/unlucky-number-13-new-firefox-browser-version-exposes-private-data/
June 25, 2012 8:05 AM
John Koetsier
The latest update to web browser Firefox may have an unlucky number, but it certainly has an unlucky feature: a privacy slip that could allow anyone using your computer to view private, encrypted pages that you previously visited.
The problem is in a new feature that adds thumbnails of recently visited, favorite, or pinned websites on new browser tabs. Mozilla, the organization that makes the Firefox browser, says the feature is intended to increase ease-of use: “When you create a new tab, Firefox shows your top sites to make getting where you want to go easier than ever.”
To enable the new feature, however, Mozilla built the ability into the browser to take regular screenshots. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop taking screenshots when the browser is on a secure, encrypted connection, meaning that users who access banking information or other private sites run the risk of that data becoming public knowledge when friends or family members use their computers.
The problem was discovered by a reader of The Register who opened a new tab to be greeted by his banking balances and account numbers.
9 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Although, their new-tab function, called "Speed Dial" (and which they've had for several years), never had such bugs with security. Also, it doesn't automatically add linked-thumbnails to the tab. Rather, you have to designate which pages you want for quick access. And in recent versions, they've made it more customizable, including the ability to add more than the original nine links 
For example, here's mine:
