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Security Improvements

Introduction: Security Improvements in Firefox 3 and Flock 2

Mozilla and Flock have always taken your security seriously, and the Firefox platform that powers Flock is arguably the most secure browser to use for surfing the web. With Firefox 3 and Flock 2, several enhancements will ensure that you’ll have an even more secure browsing experience.

So, what exactly will I see in Firefox 3 and Flock 2?

The primary feature protecting you in Firefox 3 and Flock 2 is the Site Identification Button. Previously, Firefox and Flock provided hidden, obscure information about the site you were visiting, and popped a small lock icon in the addressbar to represent a “safe” site. As the internet gets more and more dangerous, it’s important to enhance these features to provide true protection for those surfing the web.

The Site Identification Button appears on the left side of the addressbar, with the site’s favicon in the middle. Clicking this icon will pop a flyout with more information about the site. This chrome around the favicon (and the avatar when you click it) will change color depending on the security rating of the site.

Gray – No Info

Firefox 3 or Flock 2 cannot detect any identity information for the page. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. However, it means that you should not use this site to send any important, sensitive information like credit card numbers, social security info, or the location of your high school diary.

Blue – Basic Info

Firefox 3 or Flock 2 have detected a verified domain. This means that the page you’re on is not spoofed, but the browser cannot verify know who owns the domain.

Green – Full Info

Green indicates the site is using an “Extended Validation Certificate” AND means the site is encrypted. To be honest, you probably won’t see that many of these. Even Mozilla’s site does not have an Extended Validation Certificate. However, when you see one of these you can surf without worry.

Yellow – Invalid Info

The site you’re on has a self-signed identity certificate. This could be the equivalent of a minor making a fake ID to get into a club (in this case, to get into your computer), but it could also be self-signed simply to support encrypted connections to the server (like your grandma’s stamp club making their own ID badges, even though they’re not official).

Because this page could be trying to do something malicious, Flock 2 and Firefox 3 present you with a warning page.

Red – Attack Site

This is your warning that the site you are visiting may very well be an attack site. In other words: DANGER! Unless you absolutely know that this site is safe, don’t continue! This site is somehow trying to do something bad, whether it be Malware or Phishing. Definitely do not provide any information in a site with a Red indicator.

Flock 2 and Firefox 3 will present you with a warning page if you hit one of these sites, in order to protect you from the contents.

When do Flock 2 and Firefox 3 step in?

As Firefox 2 did with suspected Phishing pages, Firefox 3 and Flock 2 provide a warning page when you land on a page they feel is dangerous. By using a Google database, the browser detects whether the page you’re trying to visit might be involved in phishing or malware. The warning page will offer you the option to leave the page, find out why it was blocked, or (if you really trust it) add an exception for this specific site.

What is happening on the back end of Flock 2 and Firefox 3?

• Anti-virus integration: Firefox 3 and Flock 2 will inform anti-virus software when downloading executables.
• Secure Add-On updates
• Effective top-level domain (eTLD) prevents spoofing of URLs
• Better protection against Javascript exploits
• Rewritten Password Manager to eliminate memory errors

Will Flock absorb future Firefox security updates?

Of course. Flock quickly integrates each Firefox security update, as part of our continuing commitment to keep you as secure as possible in Flock. You’re safe with us.