ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Firefox Focus is a safety and privacy-focused cell browser.
- This browser affords a minimal UI and most privateness options.
- Firefox Focus is obtainable for each Android and iOS.
I’ve run the gamut of web browsers on Android, and each time I feel I’ve discovered “the one,” I uncover a motive to not use it. That motive may be a cluttered UI, a scarcity of choices, or not sufficient safety.
Not too long ago, nevertheless, I got here throughout a browser that checked all of the containers… particularly inside the realm of privateness and safety. No, it is not Tor or Courageous, it is Firefox Focus, which is ironic given I’d only recently sworn off Firefox browsers. Nonetheless, Firefox Focus is nice sufficient to make me overlook that declare.
Firefox Focus has been round for a bit and is a mobile-only browser that goals to be a easy and personal net browser. It delivers on that promise.
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Think about stripping a browser to its naked bones and leaving simply the options essential to render pages correctly (and rapidly) and stay non-public and safe. That is what Firefox Focus is. The UI would not embody all of the finery present in different browsers (the beginning web page affords a URL bar, a menu button, and the keyboard when you faucet the URL bar). That is it.
There aren’t any bookmarks, advised websites, information, or another bloated options you would possibly discover on different browsers. Firefox Focus is lean and able to do the one factor browsers ought to do… render pages securely and privately.
Firefox Focus is free and may be present in each the Google App Store and the Apple App Store.
What makes Firefox Focus so particular?
As you have most certainly surmised, Firefox Focus is all about privateness.
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For those who open the Settings web page, you may discover solely 5 sections: Normal, Privateness and Safety, Search, Superior, and Mozilla. Faucet the Normal part, and you may see solely three choices: Theme, Language, and Make Firefox Focus default browser. It is not till you faucet the Privateness and Safety part that you simply lastly see what this browser is de facto all about.
There are many choices within the Privateness & Safety part to make sure you’re getting essentially the most out of Firefox Focus.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Within the Privateness and Safety part, you may discover the flexibility to dam:
- Ad trackers
- Analytic trackers
- Social trackers
- Different content material trackers
- Net fonts (aka distant fonts)
- JavaScript
- Cookies
- Doubtlessly harmful websites
After which there’s the flexibility to make use of a fingerprint to unlock the app, a stealth mode, HTTPS-only mode, and a data-usage ping (to assist Mozilla estimate energetic customers).
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As for search engines like google, Firefox Focus defaults to Google, however you’ll be able to simply change it to DuckDuckGo or add one other search engine.
How does Firefox Focus carry out?
That is the massive query you most likely need to find out about. Effectively, I am completely satisfied to report that Firefox Focus is quick. In reality, I do not keep in mind seeing a cell browser that would render pages this rapidly. That function alone ought to have your curiosity piqued. Whenever you add the blazing render pace to the privateness and security measures (together with the minimal UI), you get an online browser that’s splendid for cell units.
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I consider there are two the explanation why Firefox Focus can render pages so rapidly: it is stripped of so many additional options, and the blocking options. As a result of Firefox Focus can block a lot, these parts aren’t given an opportunity to perform, which might assist in rushing up rendering. Firefox Focus is actually a light-weight browser that feels as succesful as a typical app.
Making Firefox Focus my default
It took all of 10 minutes with Firefox Focus earlier than I made a decision to make it my default browser. To begin with, I take into account myself a minimalist, and the Firefox Focus UI is completely fitted to that aesthetic. Second, the privateness is tough to beat. Easy and safe are two key elements for my cell wants, and I’ve but to discover a browser that higher addresses these factors.
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Firefox Focus took me unexpectedly. After giving up on Mozilla, I assumed I might by no means contact one other net browser from the group, however this browser has modified my thoughts, a minimum of on the cell entrance. That is additionally a type of cell apps I can extremely suggest to simply about any consumer kind. Safety and privateness are the 2 areas each cell consumer ought to be involved with, and having an online browser that takes them severely ought to be positioned on the prime of your checklist of apps.
Give Firefox Focus ten minutes, and I am assured you may end up setting it as your default.
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