Amidst recent attempts to reassure users about the actual security of Firefox, a popular and free web browser offered by Mozilla, Opera 8, out of Norway, trumpets itself as a more secure browser.
Opera 8’s latest features include the display of the certificate owner of websites and ranking sites according to trustworthiness. Additionally, a computer-computer generated voice can be used to read out highlighted headlines.
“We hope people will switch because of security and stay because of the other features,” said Opera’s chief executive and co-founder Jon von Tetzchner.
The timing may prove to be effective if growing concerns about Firefox’s virility as a secure browser come in question. On Monday, reports were released saying that there were “significant new security holes that could let attackers install malicious code or steal personal data.”
Said one “volunteer” Firefox promoter, “The versions of Firefox up to version 1.0.3 have had terrible security risks. I think these security risks have undermined the promise of Firefox as a more secure browser.”
Mozilla, though, has a story and is sticking to it as it considers a campaign featuring a condom wrapped with the Firefox logo sticking out of the rear pocket of someone’s jeans. This, coupled with the slogan, “Always use protection.”
Mozilla continues to defend itself by insisting that it has patched up the risks.
“The cynical may note that two Firefox security updates have been issued…”Mozillazine posted on Monday
Some have hyped the duel as a David vs. Goliath match up. And only time will tell which one ends up with a stone in his forehead.
