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Firefox 4 Beta 5: Security Protocols And New Audio API Features

Calendar Sep 14, 2010 • User Avatar Anthony Pell
1 min read
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Topics Covered

web security man-in-the-middle attack Firefox security protocol browser enhancements audio API HTTP support
Mozilla, which launched the latest beta of Firefox 4 last week, has started to drop features from the still-under-construction browser. Firefox 4 Beta 5, which shipped Sept. 7, included support for a new audio API (application programming interface) that allows developers to tap raw audio data from within the browser, as well as support for HTTP Strict Transport Security, a Web security protocol that lets site designers force Firefox to automatically use a secure connection.

The latter is meant to help stymie "man-in-the-middle" attacks, in which hackers essentially eavesdrop on users' Web traffic -- most often at public Wi-Fi hotspots -- in the hope of snatching clear-language transmission of passwords or credit card numbers.

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