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

[NoF---ningWay]

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.

[JNavas]

1. Firefox 153 ESR uses the same Proton UI visual style as Firefox 140 (June 2025). 
2. The Proton UI visual style goes back to Firefox 89 (June 2021).
3. 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.

[Agentvirtuel]

Bonjour

3. to complement, this discussion thread
https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/the-new-firefox-design-lands-in-today-this-is-what-you-ca...

[crws]

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/

[JNavas]

> 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.

[Agentvirtuel]

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-sitzunge... - https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/06/firefox-is-getting-a-button-to-reset-private-browsing-sessions

I always use private browsing mode.

[Agentvirtuel]

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-pr...

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

[Agentvirtuel]

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-unterschied...

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

[crws]

Merci beaucoup!

[crws]

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

[dftf]

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 

[crws]

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

[dftf]

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).

[JNavas]

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.

[dftf]

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").

[kelimuttu]

Thanks for the report, @dftf 

[dftf]

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

[JNavas]

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.

[dftf]

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.

[dftf]

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... 💀

[dftf]

@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 ).