Waterfox is a browser, obviously based on Firefox, but without default “junk” that Firefox comes with.
Don’t see many mentions to Waterfox at all in this community? Are there any specific reasons for it? Seems like a neat version of Firefox, with development based out of the UK.
- Worthwile blogpost on their independence and future updates: https://www.waterfox.net/blog/waterfox-in-2023/
- Project: https://www.waterfox.net
- Flathub: https://flathub.org/apps/net.waterfox.waterfox
Using niche browser forks is often not a good idea. These are extremely fast moving projects that need to constantly be updated to stay secure.
This is especially true for Firefox forks, as Firefox allows you to customize it to the point that it is almost the same as many of these forks.
There are exceptions to this - for example, LibreWolf has a fairly good track record and Mullvad Browser needs to fork Firefox to (try) ensure all users have the same fingerprint.
I feel like this argument is the same argument people use to tell you never to leave the Microsoft ecosystem
You must use Edge, Office, Defender and Azure
No it’s a security and fingerprinting tradeoff.
The more your browser acts to hide your behaviors and limit tracking, the more unique your fingerprint is. The most private browser setup is one which appears to be identical to all the other traffic in a non unique way, or noise. This definitionally lacks information for tracking.
Also security flaws and tracking exploits need to be constantly patched.
This is a fundamental tradeoff for privacy. Using more obscure browsers can (not always) then expose you to behavioral fingerprinting because they look different and react to web pages differently.
Most privacy oriented browsers use popular user agents
It’s not just the user agent that fingerprints a user.
Hence a good most of the exact comment you responded to.
Definitely a very valid point!
Waterfox is a neat project, but is often slow to implement security patches from Firefox upstream.
How about Librewolf ?
not excluding Librewolf, just sharing options.
Honestly, I have just never heard of it. Thanks for sharing!
Waterfox has had some bad press. I don’t remember details but here’s something to read :
- https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/04/waterfox-browser-cuts-ties-with-system-1-to-celebrate-independence/ (2023)
- https://www.waterfox.net/blog/waterfox-has-joined-system1/ (2020)
I prefer to stick to the no nonsense LibreWolf and when some things don’t work fall back to Firefox :
I don’t view the ghacks.net article as badpress myself after reading it. Also the System1 deal, which is no longer a thing, is the same company who bought Startpage, which is still recommended over at privacyguides.org
Startpage, which is still recommended over at privacyguides.org
For now. There is an open pull request to remove it due to Startpage fingerprinting users (I didn’t delve into it to see if it’s true, but that was the reason given). And just because it’s been suggested doesn’t mean it will be removed, so time will till.
https://github.com/privacyguides/privacyguides.org/pull/2577
I much prefer Librewolf. They are a little more transparent about it is, an independent, open source repackaging of Firefox with Arkenfox(ish) patches applied to it, rather than an entity which signs up for deals with other businesses.
Why would I choose this over LibreWolf?
You probably shouldnt tbh. I don’t think Waterfox is any better, it’s just less strict in terms of the defaults. Think Waterfox caters best to those who want the Firefox feel but without the telemetry.
iirc, Waterfox was bought by an ad company.
They became independent again last year!
Yeah I found that out as I was looking for sources, but you guys are quick to comment, aha!
Hehe all good 😇
Oof… 🚩🚩🚩 fool me once…
I hate to break it to you but Mozilla, Google and Microsoft are all Advertising companies.
All big tech is. They got big for a reason. Though I find Mozilla much less of a thread than other corps like Google, Meta, Microsoft. Meta I find easy to block as none of their services are actually useful. Google is a tad bit harder, and Microshit creeps in on every spot and I don’t like it.
I think that is fair. However, you shouldn’t trust Mozilla more than any other company
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Don’t discuss Geopolitics on Lemmy. It is a bad idea
Mozilla makes money from Firefox pocket and the sponsored part if the Firefox home screen. You can turn those off but it is still advertising
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Mozilla non profit and Mozilla company are different entities.
Also Lemmy tends to be extreme left and pro China and Russia. I don’t really like discussing politics on social media anyway so I tend to just ignore it.
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I just think the issues are often more complex than people see. People put up there blinders and refuse to see anything that might make them question there own views.
Maybe but it’s a far cry from Mozilla being an advertising company.
They aren’t even remotely close to companies like Google.
They were, but as I understand they are once again independent. I’d still rather stick with Librewolf, but I’m glad there’s options.
not anymore, they became independent again in 2023
Firefox is 64-bit now, so there is no point in Waterfox.
You clearly have not used Waterfox recently
Been using it since it was the 64bit version of FF, no complaints. I think it’s neat that now it has tree style tabs integrated into it. Of course you can just install the add on, but I think they’re adding more functionality somewhere down the line. It’s not a big deal, but I think it’s neat.
I’ve been using Waterfox as my Firefox backup because for some reason my Firefox always crashes within 15 minutes of use, and it’s always when I’m doing impirtant shit like banking or paying a bill. Which is what I typically use the ‘legit’ browsers for, and why I just use LibreWolf for daily browsing/fuckery. Using Waterfox feels like it calls less attention when on a government website as opposed to Librewolf.
Didn’t know it was bought by an ad company once upon a time, but this is also why I spread out my browsing. I also use Ghostery, and I have Brave (for checking how things show up in a Chromium environment when programming) but I don’t like Brave and rarely use it… Point is, gotta have multiple browsers either way.
I’ve mentioned it a few times, but I don’t like coming off as some sort of salesman lol. But waterfox is my go to. They, imo, seem to feel like the last browser left making logical choices out of box.
I remember waterfox not being compatible with a few extensions I installed. Do you know if it can just be pointed at a backup of a firefox profile?
Waterfox is for me the go-to browser for most people, better than default Firefox but not as good as librewolf, good balance of privacy and convenience
Any of you guys tried Floorp? I’ve been using it for a few months now as my daily driver and while it might not be as intentionally lean as Waterfox, I find its customisability more than makes up for it.
Just fyi parts of floorp are proprietary
