Like Google's Chrome, Mozilla To Silently Update Firefox 4 287
CWmike writes "Taking a page from rival Google's playbook, Mozilla plans to introduce silent, behind-the-scenes security updating to Firefox 4. The feature, which has gotten little attention from Mozilla, is currently 'on track' for Firefox 4, slated to ship before the end of the year. Firefox 4's silent update will only be offered on Windows, Mozilla has said. Most updates will be downloaded and installed automatically without asking the user or requiring a confirmation. 'We'll only be using the major update dialog box for changes like [version] 4 to 4.5 or 5," said Alex Faaborg, a principal designer on Firefox, in the 'mozilla.dev.apps.firefox' forum. 'Unfortunately users will still see the updating progress bar on load, but this is an implementation issue as opposed to a [user interface] one; ideally the update could be applied in the background.' Unlike Google, Mozilla will let users change the default silent service to the more traditional mode, where the browser asks permission before downloading and installing any update."
Re:As long as the browser asks for permission (Score:5, Informative)
I don't mind if the browser asks. It looks like they are going to default to silent updates unless you change the setting. They only way I can see this as a bad idea for the non-techinical user is in the case where Mozilla screws up and a patch hoses up the browser or operating system itself (and don't act like that can't happen because it has for other software, even if it wasn't Mozilla that did it, it could still happen.)
FTA (bolding mine):
Firefox 4's silent update will only be offered on Windows, Mozilla has said.
Most updates, including all security updates, will be downloaded and installed automatically without asking the user or requiring a confirmation, said Alex Faaborg, a principal designer on Firefox. ...
Unlike Google, Mozilla will let users change the default silent service to the more traditional mode, where the browser asks permission before downloading and installing any update.
Re:As long as the browser asks for permission (Score:5, Informative)
There is a potential security issue too: what if someone manages to hack Mozilla's DNS to point to a malicious site pretending that there is an update (which introduces malware)? I hope they are planning on properly signing and verifying updates to deal with this possibility.
Unlike many others, Mozilla already does sign it's updates.
Re:silent, or totally invisible (Score:5, Informative)
In fact, I welcome this update! It was hard enough getting those less-than-savvy relations to use Firefox, but even getting my WIFE to update FF is a chore. Automatic updates for these folks will be especially welcome. It's depressing to be on the cutting edge of FF public releases only to visit your mother and find she's still running FF 2.0.17 and has been ignoring the update suggestions forever.
Re:Leave the question! (Score:4, Informative)
Maybe a user doesn't like the new 4.0 look and wants to stay at 3.5? Give the user a box and ask. Do not change this behavior!
Congratulations for not even reading the summary: They will only do silent updates for
minor versions, i.e. security and stability updates.
The question will be kept for major updates, like 3.x to 4.
Re:Welcome to the Mozilla botnet ... (Score:4, Informative)
Yes. Silent updates suck. Well at least, for people that want to control their own computer, it does. But for my sister, my dad, my great aunt and all these people that think i'm their personal helpdesk, this is perfect. I've seen so many family members who had 2 year old browsers and stuff...
Re:Welcome to the Mozilla botnet ... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Do not want. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:silent, or totally invisible (Score:2, Informative)
>> has been ignoring the update suggestions forever
If fewer updates broke things, people would be more inclined to update (not just Firefox, but software in general).
Re:More Mozilla Fail (Score:1, Informative)
i guess you need this "The CCK Wizard can be used to create an extension that customizes Firefox. To access it, after installation, select Tools->CCK Wizard. " https://code.google.com/p/ff-cckwizard/ [google.com]
Re:More Mozilla Fail (Score:1, Informative)
Look up FrontMotion Firefox. I've been using it for about six years now with little or no problems in a school enviroment (500 machines). It even comes with an ADM template so you can set some control in your network. They also disable any type of auto update by default. Pretty sure they will do the same in version 4 as well.
Re:This is problematic and I hope it can be disabl (Score:1, Informative)
"Unlike Google, Mozilla will let users change the default silent service to the more traditional mode, where the browser asks permission before downloading and installing any update."