Privacy and performance arrive with Firefox 67

Firefox 67 has hit the scene with some fantastic new features and a focus on performance and privacy.

In terms of performance, Mozilla states that Instagram, Amazon, and Google searches now execute between 40% and 80% faster. That’s because they have set the browser to deprioritize least commonly used features and delay setTimeout to prioritize scripts for things you need. Also, Firefox now scans for alternative style sheets after the page loads and doesn’t load the auto-fill module unless there is a form to complete on that page.

Firefox 67 also helps with performance by detecting if your computer’s memory is running low at under 400MB. If your computer’s memory is running low, Firefox will suspend unused tabs. When you click on one of the tabs that you haven’t used or looked at in a while, it will reload where you left off.

In terms of privacy, Mozilla is working on tackling cryptomining. Cryptomining is where your CPU is used to generate cryptocurrency for someone else. They’re also working to block fingerprinting, which builds a digital fingerprint that allows you to be tracked across the web.

To use Firefox 67 to protect yourself from cryptomining and fingerprinting, you just have to “flip a switch” in the browser. There are multiple ways to reach the proper setting: you can click on the small “I” icon in the address bar, click on the gear on the right side under Content Blocking, or go to Preferences, Privacy & Security, and then Content Blocking. Once you’re there, just select Custom and check “Cryptominers” and/or “Fingerprinters” and voilà, you’re protected.

Private Browsing will also allow you to save passwords and add add-ons and extensions. This way you won’t have to type in passwords each time you visit a site and you’ll be able to enable or disable extensions. When you install an extension, Firefox will start by asking you if it should be allowed to run in Private Browsing. The default is set to ‘Don’t Allow,’ so make sure you check that on your previously installed extensions if you want those add-ons to work in Private Browsing.

The complete Firefox 67 desktop version changelog is listed below:

Improved performance thanks to Mozilla lowering priority of setTimeout during page load, delayed component initialization until after start up, painting sooner during page load but less often, and suspending unused tabs.
Users can block known cryptominers and fingerprinters in the Custom settings of their Content Blocking preferences settings.
Keyboard accessibility has improved. Toolbar and toolbar overflow menu are both accessible from the keyboard. Keyboard users can now access add-ons, the downloads panel, the overflow, Page actions and Firefox menus, and much more.
It’s possible to save passwords in Private Browsing as well as which extensions are included while browsing privately.
Tabs can now be pinned by using the Page Actions menu in the address bar.
The main menu and login autocomplete now provide easier access to your list of saved logins.
It’s now possible to run different Firefox installs side-by-side.
Firefox will now protect you against running older versions of the browser which can lead to data corruption and stability issues.
Firefox is upgrading to the newer, higher performance, AV1 decoder known as ‘dav1d’
WebRender is gradually enabled by default on Windows 10 desktops with Nvidia graphics cards.
FIDO U2F API and permit registrations for Google Accounts have been enabled.
Firefox no longer supports handling webcal: links with 30boxes.com.
Change to extensions in Private Windows: Any new extensions you add to the browser won’t run in Private Windows unless you allow this in the settings.
Users will no longer be able to upload and share their screenshots through the Firefox Screenshots server. Users who want to keep existing screenshots need to export them before the server shuts down in the coming months.
Twemoji Mozilla font updated to support Emoji 11.0.
Font and date adjustments added to accommodate the new Reiwa era in Japan.
The DevTools Changes panel now supports copying modified CSS. You can either copy the full changes or individual changed rules.
JavaScript module imports — Firefox now supports dynamic module imports.
New streamlined worker debugging in the Javascript Debugger with the new Threads panel.
New inline breakpoints provided by the JavaScript Debugger give a much higher fidelity and reliability for pausing in specific locations within a line of code.