Firefox 31 Lands on Windows, OS X, and Linux Desktops

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 23 Jul 2014

Mozilla rolled out version 31 of the Firefox web browser for Windows, OS X, and Linux-powered machines.

Firefox 31 features a search field on the new tab page, helps users that set up parental controls, and can block malware from downloaded files.

Firefox version 31 is out! Mozilla recently rolled out this new version for desktop computers. As expected, Firefox 31 comes with various bug fixes and security fixes. But you don’t really care about that, you just want to know what’s fresh, what new features have been introduced.

The main new feature that Firefox 31 introduces is a search field on the new tab page. When you open the new tab page, you can perform a Google search right then and there.



Parents will be glad to find out that Firefox 31 provides a safe browsing experience for children and enforces the parental controls they put in place.

Alex Fowler, Mozilla's Global Privacy and Public Policy Leader, explains:
“We’re pleased to announce a smart feature in Firefox for [parents] called Prefer:Safe, designed to simplify and strengthen the online trust and safety model. Developed in collaboration with a number of leading technologists and companies, this feature connects parental controls enabled on Mac OS and Windows with the sites they visit online via their browser.”

Firefox users who care about security will be glad to know that Firefox 31 can now block malware from downloaded files. Downloads are automatically screened for known malware and suspicious behavior; if Firefox finds something suspicious, it blocks the download.

It is worth noting here that Firefox’s download screening tool originates from Google. It has been part of Google Safe Browsing since 2012. Mozilla admits that right now, Firefox isn’t as efficient as Chrome at blocking malicious downloads. But Mozilla is working on it and will keep perfecting this security function.

Firefox 31 for Windows is available for download right here on FindMySoft.
Get Firefox 31 for OS X and Linux directly from Mozilla.

The release notes for Firefox 31 are available here.
The security advisories for Firefox 31 are available here.



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