Firefox checks for updates, and will update the malware/phishing databases a bit after startup. That's actually the same SafeBrowsing the OP mentions. All of this can be toggled. I'm not sure what your vague "other domains" is.

I'm a bit puzzled at the extreme shortsightedness of a browser checking for security updates being branded as "not having their users' back".

Historically, browsers -- because of their enormous potential risk (easy to exploit) -- have done a better job of providing security updates quickly than have other tools.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-stop-firefox-making...

I think the lesson to be learned here is that FOSS can be just as dangerous as commercial software if not enough people are inspecting the code and following development. It seems there are a lot of people who unconditionally trust anything that's open-source.

So: It connects to Mozilla itself and to Google (specifically their server for the malware/phishing DB). The fact that Ghostery is in there is because you have third party addons installed.

FWIW shavar.prod.mozaws.net is a Mozilla server which updates the blocklist for Tracking Protection. Somewhat ironic you're complaining about it given the context.

"That said, the fact that Linux distros might switch off Telemetry and [Firefox Health Report] by default causes issues right in that way: they are undercounted and [Mozilla] may disregard them completely in data-driven decisions. If you are a Linux distro package manager, think about that."

Trust, but verify.

could you explain what this means? Been using uBlockOrigin+NoScript+Ghostery combo for quite a some time now and never realized how NoScript might be unsafe

It has a whitelist supposedly to not break "top websites", but this list contained IMO some questionable choices last I checked it. It also tries to connect to the dev's website for no reason at all (addons are updated directly from Firefox) and after updates, "to show the release notes".

Last but not least, this is the same dev which got involved in a scandal for trying to underhandedly whitelist the said website into an ad-blocking addon.

Thanks for checking and sorry for my confusing initial post...

Not that I'm advocating for them (I use Chrome myself), but those fit what the parent suggested.

Microsoft pulls in 11 figures a year in online advertising revenue. As of earlier this year, Apple was still earning more mobile ad revenue than any other firm. And Mozilla is funded almost entirely by companies that earn billions in online ad revenue like Yahoo and Google.

Which is neither here, not there. As I wrote those three browsers don't make money off of ad revenue and/or private data. Chrome does.

Whether the money are made directly or indirectly is beside the point for the purposes of the discussion.

>Microsoft pulls in 11 figures a year in online advertising revenue. As of earlier this year, Apple was still earning more mobile ad revenue than any other firm. And Mozilla is funded almost entirely by companies that earn billions in online ad revenue like Yahoo and Google.

Not that relevant either. Apple sells display ads (iAds etc) and that's it. They don't deal in personal data. Mozilla even less -- whether Yahoo/Google pays it to be the default search engine or not.

That's not direct ad sales and Mozilla wasn't created with the specific purposes to sell ads or collect private information, nor is owned by an ad-selling company.

Besides you can change the default search engine in a heartbeat.

Honestly I'm moving to backend work and using a terminal browser. This is so fucking stupid. Wish there was at least one program on my computer that isn't trying to constantly stab me in the back.

Obviously, since all have update-check (and auto-update) features, live content (e.g. intro page), etc.

That's not the same as mining your every search, and they don't own an add company or anything.

>I need a browser that just lets me browse instead of filling me with constant "1984-esque" anxiety and paranoia for every URL I go to, and apparently all the extensions I run ALSO call home and leave a uniquely identifying finger print.

It's even worse: EVERY IP (and/or page) you visit is registered on your ISP.

About apps phoning home specifically, you can install an application firewall like Little Snitch and be warned and in control of any such attempt.

It's not something that you should trust on the browser vendors not to do, anyway...

Im seeing more and more Error 40 every week :(

Other than elliptic curve BS Opera 12 is a perfect browser for me.

What was your point exactly? I fail to see any relation here.