Firefox 57.0.3 bug fix release
Mozilla released Firefox 57.0.3 on December 28, 2017. The update is for the Release channel of the Firefox web browser for all supported operating systems.
The release notes list a single issue that is fixed in the release:
Fix a crash reporting issue that inadvertently sends background tab crash reports to Mozilla without user opt-in.
The link to the bug leads to a protected page that users without proper permission cannot access. It appears that Firefox did send data about crashes to Mozilla even if users did not opt-in.
Firefox displays three Telemetry related preferences in the browsing preferences (about:preferences#privacy). Users can enable or disable the following options:
- Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla.
- Allow Firefox to install and run studies.
- Allow Firefox to send crash reports to Mozilla.
The first two options are enabled by default when you install a release version of the Firefox web browser but the last is not.
Firefox users need to enable the option to send crash reports to Firefox (opt-in) so that reports about browser or tab crashes are sent to the organization. These reports help Mozilla analyze crashes and fix issues that affect users of the browser.
The main reason why crash reports are opt-in and not opt-out is simple: these reports may contain sensitive data. They include the active URL at the time of the crash, technical data, and a dump of Firefox's memory content at the time of the crash.
Mozilla notes that the dump may contain data to identify users.
Crash reports include a ‘dump file’ of Firefox’s memory contents at the time of the crash, which may contain data that identifies you or is otherwise sensitive to you.
The new version of Firefox is out already. Firefox users who don't want to wait until it is picked up by the browser automatically, can check for updates with a click on Menu > Help > About Firefox.
The new version is offered on the official Mozilla website as well.
Firefox is shaping up to be a faster browser, sure the lack of traditional add-ons is a huge hit, but maybe after a few versions I might even replace Chrome for it. Chrome seems to have become so popular, it’s vulnerable on some websites.
I’m having a great experience with FF57. The loss of XUL addons was a problem, yes, but not nearly as big (for me) as it could have been. The interface is clean, I’m benefiting from multi-process support, page loading is super fast, *AND* it remains the most configurable mainstream browser out there (which is huge for privacy and security issues).
I will admit I am concerned about @vosie not being able to defeat all telemetry gathering to their wishes. But I use Quantum at work. It is a joy to use. Still using Pale Moon at home, but once I get a faster machine, Quantum is bound for it.
I was initially concerned about XUL-ageddon as well, but I’m largely not affected.
Thanks for the information. No update in Linux Mint 18.3, still v. 57.0.1. Was this an issue only with the Windows build?
For me at least, Firefox 57.0.3 showed up in the Linux Mint repository today. I haven’t put it through its paces, but it seems to load and update its extensions okay.
Linux Mint has its own version of Firefox, it would have to be upgraded to this version for you to receive it.
The Mint update is now available.
Of course if Firefox doesn’t know where to send them… thanks ghacks user.js
/* 0350: disable crash reports ***/
user_pref(“breakpad.reportURL”, “”);
recently updated to 57.0.3 the problem still there…
telemetry still actively sending report, i have turned off all updates ,health report, disable telemetry from (about config ) but the browser keep sending data. im firefox user since 2007. quantum is the worse update. now vivaldi is my main browser
But not the expected audio patch for W10 17063.
like the background service Stumbler in Firefox for Android which runs in the background occasionally, even if you do not opt-in Mozilla Location Service. something tells me these behaviors are on purpose and not a “bug”
https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/7js9a7/why_is_firefox_running_a_secret_background/
That’s a good example of why people should disable automatic updates.
I use Firefox 52 or 47 on Android. I refuse to use Firefox 57 and newer on Android. The new Firefox versions are slower and have horrible user interface: the exact copy of Google Chrome. You can’t differentiate them. The new Firefox versions don’t support Adobe Flash and the XUL addons like Save Link Menus, Toggle Images And JS Android, …
ESR too, to version 52.5.3.
I’m glad Mozilla fixed this as it is a serious privacy issue.