Release of the GNU IceCat web browser 60.7.0

GNU Project presented a new version of the web browser IceCat 60.7.0. The release is built on the codebase Firefox 60 ESR, modified to meet the requirements for completely free software. Specifically, non-free components have been removed, design elements replaced, the use of registered trademarks ceased, the search for non-free plugins and add-ons has been disabled, and additionally, add-ons aimed at enhancing privacy have been integrated.

The base package includes add-ons LibreJS for blocking non-free JavaScript code, HTTPS Everywhere for encrypting traffic on all sites where possible, TorButton for integration with the Tor anonymous network (requires the 'tor' service to be started in the OS), HTML5 Video Everywhere to replace the Flash player with a tag-based video alternative, and a private browsing mode in which resource loading is only allowed from the current site. The default search engine used is DuckDuckGO, sending requests over HTTPS and without using JavaScript. There is an option to disable JavaScript processing and third-party cookies.

By default, the HTTP header DoNotTrack is filled, and the HTTP Referer header always transmits the name of the host to which the request is addressed. The following features have been disabled: security checks of opened sites in Google services, Encrypted Media Extensions (EME), telemetry collection, Flash support, search suggestions, API for location determination, GeckoMediaPlugins (GMP), Pocket, and digital signature checks for add-ons. WebRTC has been modified to block internal IP leaks when operating through Tor.

Key innovations in GNU IceCat 60.7.0 include:

  • The inclusion of the ViewTube and disable-polymer-youtube add-ons, allowing users to watch videos on YouTube without enabling JavaScript;
  • Enhanced privacy-related settings. By default, the following are enabled: header spoofing Referer, request isolation within the main domain, and blocking the sending of the header Origin;
  • The LibreJS add-on has been updated to version 7.19rc3 (support for the Android platform has been added), TorButton to version 2.1 (the note states 0.1, but this seems to be a typo), and HTTPS Everywhere — 2019.1.31;
  • The interface for identifying hidden HTML blocks on pages has been improved;
  • The settings for the third-party request blocker have been modified to allow requests to the current page's host subdomains, known content delivery servers, CSS files, and resources from YouTube.

Source: opennet.ru

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