With its latest browser Firefox 83, Mozilla has rolled out a new feature that will ensure that users are establishing secure connections to every website via an HTTPS only mode. If the website does not have an HTTPS version that the browser can load, users will be notified.
Once the HTTPS only mode is turned on, the browser will automatically connect to the HTTPS version of a page even if the user types HTTP in the address bar. In case an HTTPS version of the site does not exist, the browser will ask users for permission to load the page along with a message detailing the security risks of connecting to a non-HTTPS website.
Moreover, if the website has certain HTTP elements, such as images that don’t load in HTTPS Only Mode, users can temporarily disable the feature by clicking on the lock icon next to the URL in the address bar.
To switch the feature on:
- Go to “Privacy & Security” in Preferences
- Choose “Enable HTTPS-Only Mode in all windows.”
Apart from the new security feature, the upgraded browser also introduces pinch-zooming on devices without touchscreens via touchpads and fast forward/rewind using arrow keys in the browser’s Picture-in-Picture windows. According to the company, the update has also improved the search features and page load performance. Firefox 83 now loads websites up to 15 percent faster and uses up to 8 percent less memory than older versions.
