As part of the Librefox project, an attempt has been made to create a build of Firefox intended to increase privacy and increase security.
This project aims to enforce Firefox privacy and security without forcing the project. Librefox uses more than 500 privacy / security / performance settings, patches, Librefox-Addons (optional) and a clean Firefox package, crash reports and built-in Firefox add-ons that do not respect privacy).
About Librefox
It is worth noting that Librefox is not a fork of Firefox, but simply uses this browser as a base, is built using the code of the regular versions, allowing you to keep your browser up to date without delay.
The project also involved Ghacks user.js and other third-party development to implement security features.
The task of the authors is to create a browser that offers the best security features out of the box.
Librefox is an open source project designed to provide anyone with a copy of the Firefox browser that comes with privacy and security enhancements included
Librefox It is characterized by changing the configuration and disabling unnecessary functionalities.
Changes boil down to replacing the mozilla.cfg, local-settings.js, and policy.json files, removing executable files for the updater and crasherporter, as well as associated configuration files.
Plugins reviewed and approved by developers
In addition to it there is a list of plugins recommended by the developers which have undergone additional code review, which include uBlock Origin, Browser Plugs Privacy Firewall, User Agent Platform Spoofer, First Party Isolation, Cookie Master.
LibreFox main features
In this browser all those add-ons that affect user privacy are eliminated, as well as the update of the verification code and the components to send information about crashes.
freefox has a firewall added for plug-ins that limits network access.
The settings are cleaned from the built-in links to Mozilla servers and from the call functions that perform remote access to services (for example, uploading of Google blacklists is disabled).
Default, Librefox does not initiate any external connection.
freefox has more than 500 changes in browser settings sare intended to improve security, privacy and performance.
The ghacks-user.js and pyllyukko user.js collections are used as a template to change settings.
The most important settings are protected against accidental changes, including additions, by moving them to the mozilla.cfg and policy.json files.
Firefox users who want to know the differences between Firefox and Librefox may want to review the mozilla.cfg and Policies.json files as a start.
The list is well documented, but it may take a while to manually review it.
Please note that you need to edit these files directly, as some settings are locked and cannot be changed from Librefox; editing may be required if you have compatibility issues on select websites.
Download LibreFox
For installation, an optional set of plug-ins is offered (Librefox-addons), which includes the Librefox Dark Theme, the Librefox HTTP Watcher (for HTTP without encryption, changes the address bar color) and the Librefox Load Button (moves the page reload button to the address bar).
Builds for Linux, Windows and macOS are available to download, based on Firefox 64 (optional builds of Librefox based on Firefox 60.4 ESR and Tor Browser 8.0.4 are available).
Installation instructions can be found in this link, as well as the source code.
The development of LibreFox is new, so we have to wait a bit to see how this new project unfolds, as well as its use and acceptance by users.
For now we can say that it is an excellent setting, since today, most users no longer ask for browsers loaded with hundreds of functions that are not even used for the most part.
If not, they are looking for a stable browser that respects and takes care of user privacy, but without neglecting performance.
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