Firefox 3 was released in June with a great deal of fanfare (setting the world record for most software downloaded in 24 hours) and a number of dramatic improvements.
To install Firefox 3, download it from the Mozilla website. Delete your current version of Firefox from the Applications folder, then drag the new new Firefox from the installer DMG into the Applications folder. It’s that easy!
Some highlights from the Field Guide to Firefox 3 by Deb Richardson:
Malware protection, Phishing Protection & Site Identification button
Firefox 3 keeps track of all reported malware sites, protecting you by blocking them before the pages even load, ensuring that your computer is never at risk.
In addition to the new Malware protection that has been added for this release, Firefox 3 also has improved Phishing protection. Reported phishing sites are now blocked before the pages are even loaded, so your computer is never in danger.
For more, see Mal-what? Firefox 3 vs. Bad People by Johnathan Nightingale.
Firefox 3 also introduces a new security feature known as the Site Identification button. Rather than just displaying a padlock to indicate that the site is encrypted, Firefox 3 finds out as much as it can about the site you’re browsing and makes that information available to you via the Site Identification button.
The button displays the new Site Identification dialog when clicked and shows a summary of the information available about the site’s identity.
For more, see Firefox 3: Site Identification button by Deb Richardson.
Bookmarks
Firefox 3 uses a database instead of a flat html file to organize your bookmarks, which are now easier to use, more useful in general, and more useful for the “terminally disorganized.” You can now organize your bookmarks by Tags, Stars, and Smart Folders (similar to smart folders on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard). Smart Folders are essentially saved searches that are automatically updated when you add a new item that matches that search.
For more, see Firefox 3: Bookmarks by Deb Richardson.
History
History now stores sites’ favicons (small, identifying graphics) along with the other location data to make scanning and identifying history entries much easier. The History Sidebar and History Menu have been tweaked as well, and a whole new History Library has been added to the Firefox Library (formerly the Bookmark Organizer). Overall, Firefox 3 has raised History from being occasionally useful to being an absolutely essential part of daily browser use. For more, see Firefox 3: History by Deb Richardson.
[via Lifehacker]
