Mozilla is adding experimental AI functionality to Firefox Nightly. The sidebar now supports ChatGPT, Google Gemini, HuggingChat, and Le Chat Mistral. Users may right-click highlighted text on a webpage to ask their AI chatbot for assistance.
Mozilla noted that these chatbots are optional and not incorporated into Firefox's essential features. According to Engadget, Mozilla calls the experimental Nightly Firefox version an "unstable testing and development platform."
AI Chatbot Integration may be enabled under Settings > Nightly Experiments, and a chatbot may be selected. To permanently add the chatbot, right-click the toolbar, choose Customize Toolbar, and then drag the sidebar icon.
Mozilla wants people to try multiple chatbots to find their favorite. It stated that it is still developing and improving all these models before adding them to Firefox testing and release versions.
Mozilla Lets Users Find the Best AI Solution for Their Needs
In a recent blog post, Mozilla highlighted the significance of giving users options for AI services, allowing them to choose the best service and eliminating dependency on one source. Each constantly updated AI model possesses both strengths and disadvantages.
Users can explore and discover the best solution by considering various alternatives, as Mozilla sees AI as a user experience enhancer, not a tool replacement.
Mozilla also tests AI services to improve the market and addresses copyright, consent, and privacy issues. The corporation also provides Firefox users with information on how to make AI tool choices.
Mozilla wants to "shape a future of browsing" by letting consumers design their experiences. This includes campaigning for improved privacy policies, setting browser speed criteria, and emphasizing the user experience to design a more personal and meaningful internet surfing.
The firm's action follows other browser developers, such as Microsoft and Google, which have integrated AIs Copilot and Gemini into Chrome and Edge, respectively. Both Opera and DuckDuckGo also have their own AI chatbots.
Google Chrome Web Store Extensions Infected with Malware
Meanwhile, Stanford security researchers discovered millions of Google Chrome Web Store customers unintentionally downloading malware. The study examined 125,000 Chrome Web Store extensions from July 2020 to February 2023, per a TechTimes report.
The researchers examined data from past Chrome extension security studies and analyzed the downloaded extensions' code for malware and policy violations.
The analysis found that 346 million users downloaded security-noteworthy extensions, which is concerning. These extensions violate Google Chrome Web Store rules or include malware or vulnerabilities. Malware-infected extensions affected 280 million users.
Analysts highlighted that the findings contradict Google's assertion that less than 1% of Chrome Web Store extensions include malware, as the firm evaluates all extensions before they are released.
The study also highlighted the longevity of extensions in the Google Chrome Web Store, wherein 60% of extensions are removed within a year.
However, several faulty extensions linger in the store for years, posing security threats. The researchers found that users seldom report these harmful extensions, keeping them in the marketplace.
Many of the studied extensions shared code from public repositories or forums. This code repetition might spread obsolete and insecure code among extensions, raising user risk.
The analysis found that 60% of extensions had never been updated, and half of the identified problematic extensions were still in the marketplace two years later. Additionally, a third of the extensions used obsolete and insecure libraries, increasing security vulnerabilities.
Researchers recommended increased extension maintenance, platform awareness, and user awareness to safeguard the Chrome Web Store.
