The other day I noted that Microsoft had done an ‘invisible’alteration to Firefox,the open source alternative,and to most folks a much more secure browser. This alteration ‘increased the attack surface’as Microsoft coined that phrase in regards to Google’s Chrome Browser. It’s confusing I know,but stick around. The attack surface can be looked at like a balloon. When it is flaccid,a pin will just push it around. The more you fill it,increases its surface area making the pin much more dangerous with catastrophic results. Microsoft’s .NET increased the attack surface of Firefox to an alarming degree by injecting itself into the browser like a virus.
Firefox fired Back.
This is the notification you will probably see.
This is a good thing. Restart your browser.
Checking Tools>Add-ons>Extensions you will see this:
This lets you know that it has been disabled. This too is a good thing.
The More Information link takes you to the Bugzilla page where it is discussed. Following this discussion is illuminating for the level of civility and attention to detail. Another reason to use Firefox,knowing that a lot of thought is going into it.
You have to wonder what is so scary to Microsoft that they devote so much time and energy to examining the Firefox code which is Open Source,and then building and deploying code in a manner that is identical to malware infections. Especially since this code ‘phones home’in the background,as one if its ‘Features’.
Adds ClickOnce support and the ability to report installed.NET versions to the web server.
The Browser Wars are getting much more esoteric,just when you thought it was starting to be safe to surf the web.