It’s been a while!
Konform Browser version 140.12.0-100 was recently released and if you aren’t aware it’s time to upgrade! 1
Konform Browser is a free/libre and open-source (FLOSS) fork of Firefox ESR with the primary goals of security, privacy, and user freedom. Shows by example how these three goals don’t have to be at odds but support each other and work in harmony. Runs lean and light with lights off out of the box, while making it convenient to toggle on the features you want. All telemetry removed, none added. Fingerprinting and tracking extras with base defaults on par with (or exceeding) Tor Browser, still keeping common-sense tweaks like dark mode and installation of self-built addons available without making a fuss about it. Graceful degradation for private networks and more granular control for those who want a browser that really conforms.
“ESR” means there’s a major upgrade coming up soon with the expected jump from Firefox ESR version 140 to 153 next month. Work has already been ongoing for a while to prepare Konform Browser v153 to be the most secure Firefox build at release. Early alpha builds based on FF153beta are available for anyone who wants to do early testing or help out with any other contribution.
Current Konform Browser 140.x is production-ready and expected to keep receiving security updates and bugfixes for at least a couple of release cycles after initial v153 release so users can upgrade at their leisure.
If you try it, would love to hear your feedback on the browser - and if you like it, tell your friends!
Installation instructions provided for most Linux distros
New: Artix Linux package, Gentoo ebuild
Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@konform
1 or install 😘
I’m curious, but have many questions. It’s a fork of LibreWolf, but what made a fork necessary, apart from using ESR instead of RR?
The FAQ describes in some ways how it’s different from LibreWolf, in addition to pulling from other projects like the Tor Browser, but I’d love to see some near-exhaustive spreadsheet or table of features and functionalities that differ from the various projects.
What is the motivation for users to switch away from LibreWolf? Who is the team behind Konform, and how can one trust this team to build a “better” (depending on what you value) browser? And furthermore provide a consistent and safe development distinct from other browsers?
Neat! This seems like a pretty cool project!
Thanks! Would be great to hear your thoughts and experience after trying it out, if you do! BTW, I keep fishing for feedback not just because I like hearing user stories but also since with no telemetry (or a qa team; lol), user reports become that much more valuable in development, catching issues and better understanding the UX ^^
I might try it soon, and I’ll let you know any feedback I have once I get back home!
Fingerprinting and tracking extras
But can it fool creepjs?
But can it fool creepjs?
What does that mean for you, exactly? I know that there is a lot of different ideas out there on how to interpret these results and what “good” means so would be helpful to know what your expectations are to give meaningful answer to such question.
Anyway, I just tried running the test at creepjs.org and this is result: Test hangs at “57/58: Currently collecting: Private Click Measurement complete”, with no errors in the js console.
Having compared results with some other fingerprinting suites previously, default settings should give plausible fingerprint corresponding to user base of existing browser. Only Cloudflare seems to hate it: Turnstile on sites in strict mode currently often throw a redirect loop when their troubleshooting tool says all is fine. Is that because fingerprinting protection “works to good” or is broken? You tell me!
I would appreciate an outside and less biased review, comparison or benchmark on stuff like this! Want to try and report back?
For me it means getting a different FP ID on every page refresh, so it never thinks you are the same visitor. I’ve never seen the tests hang at the end, I assume there is something unique it’s doing that is different from other browsers.
Is that because fingerprinting protection “works to good” or is broken? You tell me!
Speaking as a user of a different minority browser, if a check that is designed to pass ordinary human beings using ordinary browsers in a non-abusive manner blocks one instead, it’s broken, and Cloudflare should be pressured to fix it.
