Generated with sparks and insights from 9 sources
Introduction
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Waterfox is a free and open-source web browser that is a fork of Firefox, emphasizing Performance and Privacy.
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Originally created to provide 64-bit support when Firefox was only available for 32-bit systems.
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Waterfox disables Telemetry and Pocket by default, which are present in Firefox builds.
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The browser supports legacy XUL and XPCOM add-ons, which Firefox removed in version 57.
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Waterfox Classic, a version of the browser, has multiple unpatched Security Advisories.
Features [1]
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Tracking Protection: Waterfox includes built-in tracking protection by default.
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Oblivious DNS: This feature makes it harder for ISPs to track website connections.
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Container Tabs: Allows users to organize browsing by separating work, shopping, or personal browsing.
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Legacy Add-ons: Supports legacy extensions that Firefox no longer supports.
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No Telemetry: Waterfox does not collect telemetry data, unlike Firefox.
Privacy and Security [2]
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Privacy Focus: Waterfox is designed to prioritize user privacy and control.
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Telemetry Disabled: Unlike Firefox, Waterfox disables telemetry by default.
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Security Concerns: Waterfox Classic has unpatched security advisories.
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Independence: Waterfox claims to be independent and does not send back telemetry.
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Oblivious DNS: Enhances privacy by using a proxy server to Cloudflare DNS.
Performance [3]
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Benchmark Scores: Waterfox scores 749 on benchmarks, 54% faster than Firefox.
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Speed: Known for being faster and lighter than Firefox.
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Resource Usage: Waterfox is reported to be light on system resources.
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Classic Look: Maintains a classic Firefox look while improving speed.
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User Experience: Offers a fast user experience with legacy add-ons support.
Comparison with Firefox [4]
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Telemetry: Waterfox disables telemetry, unlike Firefox.
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Legacy Support: Waterfox supports legacy add-ons, which Firefox does not.
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Privacy Features: Waterfox includes privacy features like Oblivious DNS by default.
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User Base: Waterfox has a smaller user base compared to Firefox.
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Development: Waterfox is developed independently, with a focus on user privacy.
Community and Support [2]
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User Community: Waterfox has a dedicated user community, though smaller than Firefox.
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Reddit Presence: Waterfox has a significant presence on Reddit with active discussions.
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Independence: Waterfox is now an independent project after being acquired by System1.
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Support Channels: Limited official support, relies on community forums and discussions.
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Development: Initially a college project, now developed by BrowserWorks Ltd.
Related Videos
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