Firefox update, protections?

[tom3]

Just did an update in Firefox. Version 76. One of the things listed as protections was that they will automatically send DNS requests to a partner service for my protection. I don't even know what this is but doesn't really sound like a benefit for me. I took the option to disable this.

What do you all think? Take my tinfoil hat off?

 

[SPG]

DNS is how your computer turns a url into an IP address for example, you see www.nastyz28.com but your computer sees 66.165.251.82

What firefox is doing is encrypting your DNS queries so turning it on is a good thing. It's actually meant to minimize data collection.

 

[70lt1z28]

In most cases, the default DNS server is your ISP. The only good thing about this is that it usually pretty fast. Less hops to get the name resolution when you click on a link. The bad is that your ISP can log this and basically track where you go. Pointing it to a third party and encrypting it can be better, it depends on who the third party is. I would trust Firefox more than most ISP's. This can get into the whole net neutrality thing. In theory, if your ISP who may be a cable company sees you going to Netflix or the like they can then throttle your connection.

 

[78TypeLTCamaro]

I changed my IP address settings to use Cloudflare's encrypted DNS. In other words, my DNS request to resolve IP addresses to names, e.g. Nastyz28.com over the Internet is encrypted from snooping. This is in addition to my encrypted VPN. I have no real issues or delays.

 

[Zstar]

Thanks for the education guys!

 

[tom3]

I think I'd rather trust the cable company that I'm paying than some unknown 'partner' who could use the information for who knows what. But then nothing is really secure with a connected computer.

 

[SPG]

I would strongly urge you to turn this feature on.
Edit
This passed yesterday
https://9to5mac.com/2020/05/14/access-your-browsing-history/
all the more reason to turn it on and use a VPN

 

[Zstar]

Ok, but this only mentions the senate passing this. Has the house voted to pass it also? If not, we may have some breathing room. But your advice is sound.

 

[SPG]

The patriot act, which was passed in 2001 section 215 already had this in place so the government has had this power for some time. This law just tacks onto that basically saying without a shadow of a doubt, they can do it without a warrent. (section 215 is kind of muddy in it's wording)

As for it passing the house, it already did that since it goes to the house, senate, president.

 

[ChetBradford]

Politics and technology can be a fickle subject, I'd rather not go there.