Firefox Multi-Account Containers

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Mozilla published the Firefox Multi-Account Containers add-on for the Firefox web browser in 2017. The extension introduces options to separate websites by loading them into containers which act independent from one another. Site data, such as the browsing cache or cookies, is restricted to the container the site is loaded in. Other features of Firefox, e.g. bookmarks or extensions, work in all Containers.

The functionality may be used to sign-in to multiple accounts on the same site, limit tracking, or separate different browsing tasks, e.g. for work and home, from one another.

Several extension developers created add-ons that extend or improve the Containers functionality of the web browser.

Containers with Transitions supersedes Mozilla's extension. It introduces a rules-based system to define how sites opened from within a container are opened in the browser. There are also specific container extensions for YouTube, Facebook and Google that limit activity on these sites to specific containers, and the Temporary Containers extension to use temporary containers that delete automatically.

Firefox Multi-Account Containers 6.2

The latest version of Firefox Multi-Account Containers introduces support for a long-request feature. It is now possible to sync container data between different devices using Firefox Sync.

A click on the extension's icon in the Firefox main toolbar should display a panel that highlights the new feature. You may enable syncing right away with a click on "start syncing" to sync containers and data between devices.

Mozilla notes the following on the official company blog:

The new sync feature will align Multi-Account Containers on different computers. The add-on carries over Container names, colors, icons, and site assignments on to any other machines with the same Firefox account.

Syncing requires a Firefox Account and that you are signed in to the account in the Firefox web browser.

Firefox Multi-Account Containers introduces sync functionality - gHacks Tech News

The latest Firefox Multi-Account Containers add-on update for the Firefox web browser introduces synchronization support.

www.ghacks.net

 

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Firefox Multi-Account Containers was updated to version 8.0.2 last week. If you're using the Containers extension (and you really should), you may have noticed a warning about the latest update that requests new permissions.

Why does Firefox Multi-Account Containers requires permission to exchange messages with other programs?​

Wait, exchange messages with other programs? I think that needs some explanation, don't you? Before we hit the panic button, let's analyze the situation. Clicking the Learn More option takes you to a Knowledge base article on Mozilla's site, which explains what the permission request messages in Firefox do. That's not what we are looking for, but if you access the Release Notes section from your browser's about:addons page, or the version history page on the AMO, it will tell you what's new. I think the pop-up should take users to the release notes, don't you?

Here's what it says:

Added integration with Mozilla VPN - Mozilla VPN subscribers with Multi-Account Containers can choose a different exit location for each of their containers
Added support for custom proxies - Users can set a custom proxy URL for each of their containers by going to: Manage Containers -> Advanced Proxy Settings

Firefox Multi-Account Containers requires permissions to exchange messages with other programs - gHacks Tech News

Mozilla confuses users by requesting new permissions for Firefox Multi-Account Containers. We explain why it needs them.

www.ghacks.net

 

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Mozilla generally places great emphasis on individual privacy and security in its Firefox browser. Back in 2017, the company released a Multi-Account Containers add-on, which enables you to sandbox different aspects of your life, as the name suggests. Today, it has announced that it is combining this add-on with Mozilla VPN to further enhance your privacy.

Mozilla has boasted that Multi-Account Containers have been extremely popular in its user base as people have been successfully able to containerize their online lives. They have the ability to personalize their containers in different ways and categorize them as needed too. Website cookies between containers are obviously isolated so you can sign into the same site with different accounts in different containers.

With the Mozilla VPN integration, the company is hoping to add another layer of privacy to your online personas. Users have the ability to configure different exit servers for each container. One use-case for this is if set one container to your current location for a local browsing experience and set another container to the location of your loved ones so that you can order gifts for them online and have them delivered quickly. Of course, there are tons of other more privacy-focused scenarios where Mozilla's VPN integration with Multi-Account Containers would be useful too. Mozilla has described this combo as "a unique privacy solution that is only available in Firefox".

Mozilla combines Multi-Account Containers and VPN for the ultimate privacy experience

Mozilla has announced that it is integrating its VPN with the Multi-Account Containers add-on in Firefox to offer you another layer of privacy on top of your multiple online personas.

www.neowin.net