topic Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat? in Discussions

What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

NoF---ningWay — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:07:11 GMT

I use Firefox ESR 140 something, but the latest 153 version messed up my browser so much (the dumb profile bad idea deleted all of my bookmarks and/ or settings, had to redo everything) that I had to revert to my old version and now spend time looking for a new one.

That's why I created a quick account here to ask,

What is the simplest form of browser based on Firefox that I can use that's just the basic web-browser that only gets security updates?

Like, I wouldn't care if this Firefox 140 version never (and I do mean never) had a change to the design ever again. I just would like security updates.

I don't want some arbitrary change with some settings menu that hides something so Mozilla can get a brand deal with whoever.

I use my web-browser only for searching (no auto spell, search and' or suggestions). I have all cookies for all websites disabled, and I manually add the cookies that I want to work on my browser by hand (not joking).

When a site fails to load, I just add the cookie by hand in the list.

I got Firefox ESR because I thought I would only get the basic updates, but the last one seems just like the Firefox slop I remember, just doing things I never asked for.

I tried Zen, and LibraWolf, but if there's any other browsers based on Firefox, please share. I just use my web-browser to search for things, no scripts needed for any special options and/ or gimmick/s.

I might have found a Firefox fork I like called floorP. LibraWolf I guess doesn't seem to allow the ability to disable all cookies, and Zen just sucks ass.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:24:05 GMT

You can move to the current 153.5.0 'ESR' release of Firefox, which is supported for around a year.
It doesn't have the recent "Nova" new UI.
Download link here: https://tips.navas.us/2026/10/firefox-ui-debacle.html

Or other "forks" you've not already mentioned are: Basilisk • Pale Moon • Waterfox

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:02:40 GMT

You sure about that?

I spent hours reconfiguring FF today after that stealth trash UI ESR 153.5.0 update that "variant -b "false"" didn't hold back.

Had to revert all the way to ESR 140.17.0 and disable all updates to get back to a clean UI without all the media BS emphasized.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:44:56 GMT

Bonjour

This discussion thread
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/home-screen-icons-have-shrunk-again-may-2026/td-p/126494
In the subject Home screen icons have shrunk again May 2026, about, spam bots.
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/allow-users-to-report-the-spam-bots-clogging-up-this-website/td-p/136490

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:57:21 GMT

About, downgrade to a previous version of Firefox.

What happens to my profile if I downgrade to a previous version of Firefox?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/dedicated-profiles-firefox-installation#w_what-happens-to-my-profile-if-i-downgrade-to-a-previous-version-of-firefox

For illustration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCwy5fouQ6A

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:38:05 GMT

As for me, i use, DisableAppUpdate https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/firefox-labs/firefox-updates-force-closes-tabs-and-ms-docs-lost-legal-work/m-p/143376/highlight/true#M5324

Clarification : I'm not a fan the Nova Style. I use, css, among others css, i use https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1610048, https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1611680#answer-1855268

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:37:37 GMT

(e.g.) about:policies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6N1fKWgxxQ

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:38:03 GMT

What UI update are you referring to in the 153.5 ESR version? 🤔

The new "Nova" UI was introduced in 157.0. 153.5 ESR stems from 153.0, so predates it.

Are you saying something did change?

@JNavas , @JNavas2 : can you confirm any UI changes between ESR 153.4 and ESR 153.5?
If so, can undo steps be put on https://tips.navas.us/2026/10/firefox-ui-debacle.html ?

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:17:20 GMT

https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/
We have several systems that were using FF.
Eearlier when the non-ESR version was under constant change, I converted to ESR.
When my main pc was affected yesterday and downgrade was unsuccessful because it appeared my profile had been upgraded, I pulled the profile from a different system which was still on 140.17.0 and had the clean desktop I prefer.
To that I imported my bookmarks backup file, and pulled my shortcuts from prefs.js >

user_pref("browser.newtabpage.pinned", >your shortcuts here<
);
I then used the registry hack to block all updates and get rid of the update nag prompt until their approach changes.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/how-to-permanently-disable-firefox-updating/

140.9.1 ESR may not have the new Nova? UI, but I had already burned several hours, so I did not experiment with it.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:12:20 GMT

Firefox 153 ESR uses the same Proton UI visual style as Firefox 140 (June 2025).
The Proton UI visual style goes back to Firefox 89 (June 2021).
To avoid issues, it's best to install Firefox 153 ESR in a different directory with a fresh profile, then use Firefox Sync to update bookmarks and other data, and install any extensions that Sync missed.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:30:34 GMT

Videos : clarification: about the fire icon to the right of the address bar.

Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history
Starting with Firefox version 151, Private Browsing mode now allows users to instantly clear all data from their current session without closing the entire browser. When you click the Clear Private Session button (the fire icon) to the right of the address bar, Firefox will ask you to confirm to clear your session.

The preference, browser.privatebrowsing.resetPBM.enabled, has been usable since Firefox 120
https://www.soeren-hentzschel.at/firefox/firefox-120-ermoeglicht-das-zuruecksetzen-privater-sitzungen - https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/06/firefox-is-getting-a-button-to-reset-private-browsing-sessions

I always use private browsing mode.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:40:00 GMT

The original issue likely came from installing 153 ESR over an existing Firefox installation.

Firefox 153 ESR uses the same Proton UI visual style as Firefox 140 (June 2025).
The Proton UI visual style goes back to Firefox 89 (June 2021).
To avoid issues, it's best to fresh install Firefox 153 ESR in a different directory with a new profile, then use Firefox Sync to update bookmarks and other data, and install any extensions that Sync missed.

I've updated my Firefox UI Tip to emphasize this.
When ESR is fresh installed to a new directory, both versions can by used, and either version is easy to uninstall.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:39:59 GMT

Bonjour

3. to complement, this discussion thread
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/the-new-firefox-design-lands-in-today-this-is-what-you-can/m-p/142327/highlight/true#M58215

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:44:02 GMT

To complement, about DisableAppUpdate, a similar discussion thread https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/upgrade-notification-spam/m-p/64080/highlight/true#M22529

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:45:52 GMT

I'm getting confused here what the issue is.

The new "Nova" look was introduced in Firefox 157.0, released September 29th.

Firefox ESR 153.5 should not have the Nova look, at it is based on the 153.0 release,
from July 21st.

Are people saying they are now getting Nova in 153 ESR, or just that it still looks
different from your previous 140 ESR in some areas? (In which case you can go
back to the 140.17 ESR, then turn-off updates, but that will of-course then leave
you at risk into the future, as security-flaws are found that your PC won't receive).

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:48:34 GMT

There is a simple Setting to disable automatic updates:

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:56:17 GMT

You do what you want, to each his own choice.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:33:02 GMT

Yes ESR 153.5 was pushed yesterday, 15 October 2026, and borked whatever UI was present from disabling variant -b.
140.17 has proton, with 3 columns of story feed, and large pinned shortcut icons

browser.proton.toolbar.version 3

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:59:44 GMT

> You do what you want, to each his own choice.

Of course. I prefer the simple, supported method. YMMV.
Have a nice day.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:08:06 GMT

That is good to know, Thank you.
I will try this later- although, it remains the same issue that ESR 153.5 will need to be blocked from updating to avoid the Nova UI, is that correct?

** The link posted in your tip for 153 ESR now defaults to 153.5
Firefox Setup 153.5.0esr.exe
The direct path to the 153 repository is:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/153.0esr/

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:10:08 GMT

> ESR 153.5 will need to be blocked from updating to avoid the Nova UI, is that correct?

Unless the schedule changes (a real risk), ESR 153 should not get a major version (UI) update before June 29, 2027. By that date I advise switching Settings→About Firefox→Firefox updates from Automatic (the default) to Check & choose, so that you can avoid a major version update while still getting security updates until September.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:15:31 GMT

Yes, because the 140 ESR has reached "end-of-life", so you got moved to 153.5. ESR versions are supported for around one year from release, then you move to whatever the latest one is at the time.

But what is the issue you're having with 153 versus how 140 used to look or behave?

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:23:48 GMT

Je vous souhaite aussi une journée agréable et une agréable journée à tous.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:24:11 GMT

That makes sense.
I did have pick and choose enabled, but my experience is updates force their way through regardless.
I have not gotten a clean install of 153. I tried 150.x, but the same (apparently 153.5 Nova) UI overrode my older profile, so I reverted back to where my other systems reflected the minimalist UI I was familiar with and preferred.
I downloaded 153.0 and will try it later this week.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:30:03 GMT

> apparently 153.5 Nova

153.5 has the classic Proton UI style, not the new ugly Nova UI.
Be sure to go with the ESR release, not the standard release,
so you will still get security updates while the major version remains frozen.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:38:11 GMT

If you set updates to "Check for updates, but choose when to install" it just means the updates don't automatically complete in the background, or when Firefox isn't running.

It'll ask you, and you get some degree of choice: but you'll still only get offered the update that exists at the time. Similar to Apple's policy with iOS: a new version comes out, you can say "No thanks, stay on the current iOS" which you can do-so for around a year, then you have to move to a newer version.

You can either decide to stay on 140.17 and disable updates (risky as time goes on), move to the 153 ESR and make adjustments to suit, or look into "forks" of Firefox, such as Basilisk, Floorp, Librewolf, Pale Moon or Waterfox... but remember they have smaller teams behind them, so often lag getting security-fixes the main Firefox puts out first.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:54:51 GMT

You can see the 4 column "Widgets" section, "Popular Today" section, and a whole down page of other feeds, along with small pinned shortcut icons.
Gone is the low key simple section as in my desktop picture.
I can understand this in non-ESR versions, but they pushed to ESR as well.

>Firefox Home Content
Choose what content you want on your Firefox Home screen.
Web Search
Weather
Today’s forecast at a glance
Shortcuts
Sites you save or visit
Sponsored shortcuts
Recommended stories<

https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/the-new-firefox-design-lands-in-today-this-is-what-you-can/m-p/139539

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:56:29 GMT

This Reddit thread summarizes the constant ongoing FF UI issues.
https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1m72j9o/how_to_make_the_shortcuts_normal_size_again_after/

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:13:42 GMT

Mozilla did not "bork" or otherwise change the UI in 153.5.
Your hack just reached its Sell By date. 😉

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:16:14 GMT

You should fresh install 153.5, not 153.0, because it includes important security updates.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:29:43 GMT

Can you spot the UI change?
If I wanted this I would just use it.
153.5 ESR looks just like it

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:31:35 GMT

The search bar width is easily adjustable: Menu→More tools→Customize toolbar…
I'm personally OK with the standard New Tab layout in 153 ESR, but as always, YMMV.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:34:23 GMT

153.5 has the same UI as 153.0.
Try fresh installs of both, synced and configured.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:27:57 GMT

My pinned shortcut icons became half of the size they were in 140.x.

What about your 3 column wide curated stories feed?

Did you disable all of it? It looked to be all or nothing in the settings menu I saw, and if all, you needed to go through every section and refine what you wanted to see.

Why is this bloat in an ESR version? Seriously, it looked just like the sensationalist MS Edge desktop.

Most likely this is revene related as default upon install, but I have no need for that garbage, and it seems a disservice to push it on users that have deliberately moved away from the non-esr browser.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:33:07 GMT

Different strokes for different folks:

I prefer the 153 shortcut size with more shortcuts, but respect that you don't.
I don't want curated Stories because algorithms are evil. I prefer select RSS feeds in Feedly and human-curated sources.
I only want Weather and Shortcuts, not Stories.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:45:39 GMT

The default install of 153.5 is chock full of algos. I was so disappointed to see it.

I may be moving to Brave as my primarily browser. I have avoided chromium based browsers, but at least Brave has stripped out all of Google's tracking. I don't like Brave's close association with crypto, however, and that is why I have rarely used it.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:56:48 GMT

> The default install of 153.5 is chock full of algos. I was so disappointed to see it.

Virtually all of these features are standard toggles under Settings→Home and startup and Settings→Search that can be disabled in seconds.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:04:44 GMT

Why are they in ESR in the first place? Doubtful ESR users asked for them.

While they can be removed from home and new tab, they are still embedded in the code, and most likely will report for revenue purposes.

I would welcome someone to prove me wrong.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:10:26 GMT

Enterprise customers demand stability. Hence the ESR release channel. See Firefox Enterprise — Firefox.Com
They don't "report for revenue purposes" especially if you turn them off. (As I'm sure you know, it's impossible to "prove" a negative.)

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:26:00 GMT

There is a whole new Terms and Conditions mandatory prompt upon install. Did not read-

https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstalling-firefox-for-good-heres-what-im-using-instead/

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:15:34 GMT

> report for revenue purposes

Since you worry about this, you'll want to turn off Stories, which definitely reports for revenue purposes.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:40:40 GMT

@crws : so I've just tested the final 140.17 ESR, and latest 153.5 ESR, and while there's a difference for the Firefox Home screen, it's nothing like on-the-level of the recent "Nova" redesign.

This is a fresh install of 140.17 ESR:

And this is a fresh install of 153.5 ESR:

Some suggestions for the 153.5 release:

-> Hold-down CONTROL and then scroll your mouse-wheel up or down while on that page to change the zoom-level (or click the three-lines, then use zoom in that menu). Zoom-out to fit more columns of news on-screen (up to 4), or zoom-in to make the shortcut icons bigger.

-> If you click the pencil-in-a-circle icon, then click "More settings" at the bottom it'll take you into the Settings screen and you can also turn-off the Firefox logo, which will move the search bar closer to the top (you can also hide the weather widget).

-> Go to the about:config hidden settings page and search for newtab and then see if there's any settings in there that adjust the size...

-> ...or alternatively, do a web-search for changing the Firefox Home page using the
userChrome.css file and you can likely change the size of the shortcuts, or increase the number of news-story columns, via that.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:04:31 GMT

The number of Stories is also affected by the browser window width.
At about 1400 width, 153.5 ESR shifts from 2 across to 3 across.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:24:46 GMT

I will check that on a pc.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:10:55 GMT

On my 1280 wide browser window in Firefox 153.5, zooming out one level (Ctrl -) changes Stories from 2 across to 3 across (as you can see below). Because Firefox remembers zoom per host/URL, that setting stays locked specifically to the New Tab page without shrinking text on regular websites.

The downside is that it makes Shortcuts even smaller (terrible responsive design).

This change likely came from Mozilla "fixing" the responsive design of the New Tab page, emphasizing the "clean" look of large wasted horizontal borders.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

Agentvirtuel — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 03:17:09 GMT

Bonjour

Firefox release notes https://www.firefox.com/en-US/releases
Mozilla Foundation Security Advisories https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories

ESR Release Notes https://www.firefox.com/en-US/firefox/153.0esr/releasenotes
An article https://www.camp-firefox.de/artikel/1244-alles-wissenswerte-zu-firefox-esr-153-inklusive-unterschiede-zu-firefox-153

Firefox Release Calendar https://whattrainisitnow.com/calendar

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 04:06:41 GMT

Merci beaucoup!

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:56:37 GMT

Thank you, sincerely, for all your constructive contributions!

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:21:26 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0SJFED5xK0

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:08:56 GMT

Oddly, the redirects only seem to occur in Firefox.

In a private Chrome or Edge window, the site works normally.

But open that link in Firefox using "Open Link in New Private Window" (so with no ad or script blocker enabled) then click on anything on the page and it causes a new tab to open to the site werefilledwit.org , after which it redirects you to one of a series of random EXE downloads

Odd that a site called "Betterfox" seems to only offer up malware to Firefox users 🙃

Reported here to that project: https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/issues/513

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

crws — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:24:48 GMT

betterfox.org loads malware for you?
Seems fine when I browse-

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:31:09 GMT

Maybe the malware is one of those that only operates in certain countries (e.g. Russian malware usually detects if a user's OS language or keyboard-layout are Russian, and if so, it stands-down).

If I visit the site in a "private" window (so no ad-blocker then active), clicking anywhere on the page opens up new sites that all lead to random EXE downloads (see screenshot attached; for some-reason, the 📷 toolbar icon isn't letting me insert it inline).

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:43:15 GMT

No malware detected by uBlock Origin, VirusTotal or Sucuri SiteCheck.
~~You may want to check for local or path infections.~~
UPDATE: Malware links confirmed when I turn off uBlock Origin.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:21:34 GMT

I've literally collected screenshots of examples of the sites that open:

If I download some of those EXEs, then upload to virustotal.com, some of them do contain malware. Some, like the setup stubs for the Opera browser, don't.

If I open that site betterfox.org in Firefox in a regular window, where uBO is active, then nothing happens; the site functions normally. In a private window, with no extensions enabled, only Firefox's own "shield protections", then each click launches a website.

If you're not seeing that, it could be a country-dependent attack: some malware is coded to "stand-down" in some regions. I can only report what I actually experienced. 🤷🏻‍♂️

(And, yes, I've checked my extensions: only ones there I've installed. I've checked my DNS servers: again, the ones I've set them to. I don't run as a local admin on my PC, and I've virus-scanned the Firefox folders and all of my user-profile and subfolders and nothing found. So I'm quite sure this is something on the site itself. Bear in mind, if you scroll to the bottom of that site, it says it is not associated with the actual project, which suggests it could be impersonating the legit thing, similar to the many Notepad++, CCleaner, CPU-Z, Adobe Reader and what-have-you "clone sites").

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

kelimuttu — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:24:12 GMT

Thanks for the report, @dftf

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:37:52 GMT

@crws : the link must have opened at HTTP when you clicked it from the e-mail

I assure you it was the HTTPS I visited -- I clicked the link you posted (and I've set Firefox set to force all HTTP URLs to go to HTTPS in about:preferences#connectionSecurity ).

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:40:43 GMT

In short: if someone wants BetterFox do not visit betterfox[.]org

It clearly says at the bottom of that site:

Not affiliated with Betterfox. This is an independent site providing documentation, guides, and links to the official project repositories. For official releases, visit GitHub

If you want to look into it, go directly to the official source:
https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox

Note: I've never encountered "Betterfox" before, so cannot vouch if it's safe or not, even
from that official source

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

JNavas — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:43:36 GMT

I confirm malware links from clicking on that site in a private window.
In a normal window it's being blocked by uBlock Origin despite not being reported.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:46:07 GMT

And if you look at the screenshots posted by @crws , the first one is so cropped I cannot tell which browser it is, or if it's private mode or not (at a guess: Chrome)?

But the second one they are in a private Firefox window -- but have at-least two extensions active, as can be seen in the top-right area of the window.

I did say: access the website with no extensions running to see the issue.

In a normal window, uBlock Origin prevents any websites opening, yes.

Re: What Version of Firefox Is Just A Basic Web-Broswer Without All The Bloat?

dftf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:58:47 GMT

In Brave on my Android phone, I've disabled their shield protection and got these results:

crystalpalace-tri[.]co.uk: ranking of various online casino and betting sites

gb.clickofdata[.]net: "Temu Winter Offers" clothing sale

mobilesecuremail[.]com: "Attention! Please Install the VPN App to continue watching in safety mode"

mobtb[.]com: "Install My Mobile Secure VPN app and continue watching content..."

onyx-paradox-5[.]com: "Download confirmed. Click below to start downloading setup"

rm358[.]com: Brave warned "This site may attempt to track you across other sites"

whatson-scotland[.]co.uk = "Top-Rated UK Casinos not on GamStop"

wild-gardner[.]co.uk = "Top-Rated UK Casinos not on GamStop"

Definitely seems like a malicious site to me... 💀