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Mozilla on July 26 started firing out notices to Firefox users recommending they install a newly released version of the browser, v1.5.0.5, which includes some essential security fixes.
The Mountain View, Calif., company began sending out notices in the early afternoon, notifying users via popup windows.
Chris Beard, vice president of products at Mozilla, told eWEEK that the updated version was released as part of Mozillas regularly scheduled security and stability update program.
“This release proactively addresses a range of security, performance and stability issues within the Firefox browser,” Beard said.
“Updates through Firefoxs automated update system will begin within the next 24 to 48 hours.”
The new v1.5.0.5 is not connected with Mozillas Firefox v2.0, which is in beta at the moment.
Mozilla on July 12 released Firefox 2 Beta 1, a “developer preview” that features experimental anti-phishing and spell-checking tools, among other enhancements.
A Mozilla spokesperson emphasized that Firefox 2 Beta 1 is a “developer preview release and is being made available for testing purposes only. Firefox 2 Beta 1 is intended for Web application developers and our testing community. Current users of Mozilla Firefox 1.x should not use [it].”
Firefoxs new built-in phishing protection warns users when they encounter suspected Web forgeries and offers to return the user to their home page, the spokesperson said.
Phishing protection is turned on by default and works by checking browser destinations against a local list of known phishing sites. This list is automatically downloaded and regularly updated within Beta 1 when the phishing protection feature is enabled, the spokesperson added.
In addition, a new built-in spell-checker function enables users to quickly check the spelling of text entered into Web text fields without having to use another application, the spokesperson said.
Amsterdam-based Web analytics firm OneStat reported on July 14 that the combined usage of Firefox and Mozilla browsers—which is mostly Firefox—continues to climb and is now at the 13 percent mark worldwide, cutting further into the Internet Explorer-dominated market.
The researcher also said that Firefox/Mozilla has reached nearly 16 percent penetration in the United States.