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Latest Firefox browser puts web privacy one button away
You may be very privacy-conscious in this era of mass surveillance, but your web browser hasn't done much to keep up -- big updates like Do Not Track and private browsing windows arrived years ago. Mozilla isn't satisfied with this state of affairs, so it's releasing a new version of Firefox that puts privacy front-and-center. The centerpiece is a "forget" button that makes it easy to scrub cookies, history and other details; you won't have to jump through hoops to eliminate traces of where you've been, whether you're concerned about data theft or just want to hide an embarrassing web session. You can also switch to DuckDuckGo's anti-tracking search engine, and you'll find both a privacy tour (on the desktop) and a coaching add-on (on Android) that help you use relevant features.
China blocks DuckDuckGo's privacy-minded web searching
If you've been using DuckDuckGo's privacy-focused search engine to get around China's stringent censorship while also hiding your tracks, you'd better start looking for an alternative. The company's Gabriel Weinberg (above) has confirmed that China blocked DuckDuckGo at some point in recent memory; GreatFire suggests that the crackdown came on September 4th. No matter when it happened, the move makes it that much harder to search the full internet when you're in the country. Given that Google is already blocked, you're now largely relegated to censored versions of Bing, Yahoo and domestic sites like Baidu. That's a particularly sore point if you're traveling to China with an iPhone -- Apple added DuckDuckGo as a default search choice in iOS 8, but you won't get to use it while you're sojourning in Shanghai.
Linux Mint 12 debuts 'Lisa' as belle of the ball
The Ubuntu variant famed for delivering a minty fresh taste to Linux has officially arrived at version 12. Code-named "Lisa," the distribution introduces a new desktop that's based on GNOME 3.2, yet offers extensive user customization courtesy of Mint Gnome Shell Extensions (MGSE). Open source fans will find the default search engine is now DuckDuckGo, which touts crowd-sourcing and a no-tracking privacy policy. Those concerned with aesthetics will certainly appreciate two new themes, Mint-Z and Mint-Z-Dark, and the distro also delivers upgrades to Firefox, Thunderbird and LibreOffice. Linux Mint currently rides in the pole position at DistroWatch, having supplanted Ubuntu as the alternative of choice for many Tux enthusiasts. Perhaps it's time to sample the freshness for yourself.
