Mozilla Firefox 是一个开源软件(open source software)，这意味着任何用户都可以访问它的代码。如果您知道自己在做什么，则可以对现有代码进行更改，并发布全新的浏览器。水狐(Waterfox)就这样诞生了。它是最初基于Mozilla Firefox代码的浏览器。
还有其他基于Firefox的类似项目，如Pale Moon和Basilisk。然而，Waterfox作为独立浏览器获得了最多的关注。
什么是水狐？(What Is Waterfox?)
Waterfox是一款基于Firefox代码的浏览器。以下原因促成了Waterfox的成功：
- 它是网络上第一个 64 位浏览器。
- 它不仅提供了更快的速度，而且让用户可以自由和控制运行他们喜欢的任何扩展或附加组件(extensions or add-ons)，包括传统的XUL Firefox扩展和NPAPI插件，如Java和Silverlight。
- Waterfox承诺不会向Mozilla或Waterfox项目发送任何数据或遥测数据，并确保增强隐私和安全性。
Waterfox与Windows、Mac OS和Linux操作系统兼容。如果您的智能手机或平板电脑运行 64 位Android ，则还可以在Google Play 商店(Google Play Store)免费下载Android版本。
Firefox vs Waterfox：哪个更安全？ (Firefox vs Waterfox: Which One Is Safer to Use? )
当Firefox Quantum和Firefox 57发布时，许多用户对这些转换并不满意，尽管它比其前身快得多，(it was much faster than its predecessor)因为它们放弃了众所周知的传统Firefox扩展和界面。(Firefox)在这方面，Waterfox似乎是一个更好的选择，因为它可以匹配 Quantum 的速度并保留附加组件(keep the add-ons)。
不过，自从Mozilla发布了Firefox Extended Support Release或Firefox ESR之后， (Firefox ESR)Firefox ESR和Waterfox之间并没有太多的区别。事实上，Waterfox感觉就像Firefox ESR改变了一些设置。
让我们看看遥测功能在两种浏览器中的工作原理。Firefox收集这些数据并将其发送给开发人员 ( Mozilla ) 以改进浏览器。您可以准确地阅读此处捕获(captured here)的信息类型。如果您认为这侵犯了您的隐私，Waterfox可能会吸引您，因为它没有遥测(free of telemetry)功能。但是，在Firefox ESR中，您可以轻松禁用此功能并阻止您的数据被发送到Mozilla。
Waterfox浏览器的最大问题是安全更新缓慢。由于Waterfox基于Firefox ESR，Waterfox开发人员必须等待Mozilla发布安全更新，然后再将它们集成到Waterfox中。
在为Firefox ESR(Firefox ESR)用户发布安全补丁后，这可能需要几天到几周的时间。这可能会使您的计算机容易受到各种攻击。
如何在 Firefox 中实现 Waterfox 功能 (How to Implement Waterfox Features in Firefox )
如果您发现某些Waterfox功能很有吸引力，您可以调整Firefox浏览器设置以获取Waterfox的隐私功能并享受两种浏览器的最佳功能。
从 Firefox 中移除 Pocket(Remove Pocket from Firefox)
Waterfox 默认禁用Pocket，而Firefox（尤其是Firefox Quantum）将Pocket深度集成在浏览器的工作流程中。好消息是您只需单击几下即可 从Firefox中删除(Firefox)Pocket 。
打开Firefox并开始搜索。将鼠标悬停(Hover)在搜索栏中的Pocket图标上，右键单击它，然后选择从地址栏中删除。(Remove from Address bar. )这摆脱了口袋。
停止向 Mozilla 发送遥测数据(Stop Sending Telemetry Data to Mozilla)
如果您不喜欢将遥测数据发送给开发人员的想法，您也可以禁用该功能。
为此，请按照路径Options (Windows) 或Preferences (Mac) > Privacy & Security > Firefox Data Collection and Use并编辑与Mozilla共享遥测数据的首选项。
禁用 DRM 控制的内容(Disable DRM-controlled Content)
数字版权管理(Digital Rights Management)或DRM是一种允许在线视频和音频服务（如Netflix）在播放其提供的内容时强制执行其自身要求的技术。Waterfox默认禁用DRM功能。但是，这将阻止您观看来自Netflix等网站的受(Netflix)DRM保护的内容。
要禁用 DRM 控制的内容，请转到选项(Options)(Windows) 或首选项(Preferences)( Mac )，然后向下滚动直到看到数字版权管理 (DRM) 内容(Digital Rights Management (DRM) content)。取消选择播放 DRM 控制的内容(Play DRM-controlled content )以禁用它。
您应该选择哪种浏览器？(Which Browser Should You Choose?)
我们建议使用Firefox，因为它会在发布时收到安全更新。如果您使用过这两种浏览器，您将意识到Waterfox最初相对于Firefox的优势不再适用。
在下面的评论部分 分享您对Firefox还是Waterfox的看法。(Waterfox)
Firefox vs Waterfox – Which Browser is Safer to Use?
Mozilla Firefox is an open source software, which means that any user can access its code. If you know what you’re doing, you can make changes to the existing code, and release a brand new browser. That’s how Waterfox came to be. It is a browser originally based on Mozilla Firefox code.
There are other similar projects based on Firefox, like Pale Moon, and Basilisk. However, Waterfox has gotten the most attention as an independent browser.
What Is Waterfox?
Waterfox is a browser based on Firefox code. The following reasons contributed to the success of Waterfox:
- It was the first 64-bit browser on the web.
- It not only offered better speed, but also gave users freedom and control to run any extensions or add-ons they like, including traditional XUL Firefox extensions and NPAPI plug-ins like Java and Silverlight.
- Waterfox promised that no data or telemetry would be sent to Mozilla or the Waterfox project, and ensured enhanced privacy and security.
Waterfox is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems. There’s also an Android version available to download for free in the Google Play Store if your smartphone or tablet runs 64-bit Android.
Firefox vs Waterfox: Which One Is Safer to Use?
When Firefox Quantum and Firefox 57 were released, many users weren’t happy with the transformations even though it was much faster than its predecessor because they dropped the traditional Firefox extensions and interface everyone knew. In that regard, Waterfox seemed like a better alternative as it could match Quantum’s speed and also keep the add-ons.
However, since Mozilla released Firefox Extended Support Release or Firefox ESR, there aren’t too many differences between Firefox ESR and Waterfox. In fact, Waterfox feels like Firefox ESR with a few settings changed.
Let’s look at how the telemetry function works in both browsers. Firefox collects this data and sends it to the developer (Mozilla) to improve the browser. You can read exactly the type of information that is captured here. If you consider that a violation of your privacy, Waterfox might appeal to you since it’s free of telemetry. However, in Firefox ESR you can easily disable this function and stop your data from being sent to Mozilla.
The biggest issue with the Waterfox browser is the slow security updates. Since Waterfox is based on Firefox ESR, the Waterfox developers have to wait for Mozilla to release the security updates and then work on integrating them into Waterfox.
This may take them anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks after the security patches have been released for Firefox ESR users. This may leave your computer vulnerable to all sorts of attacks.
How to Implement Waterfox Features in Firefox
If you find certain Waterfox features appealing, you can tweak the Firefox browser settings to get the privacy features of Waterfox and enjoy the best of both browsers.
Remove Pocket from Firefox
Waterfox disables Pocket by default, while Firefox (especially Firefox Quantum) has Pocket deeply integrated within the browser’s working processes. The good news is that you can remove Pocket from Firefox with just a few clicks.
Open Firefox and start a search. Hover over the Pocket icon in the search bar, right-click it, and select Remove from Address bar. This gets rid of Pocket.
Stop Sending Telemetry Data to Mozilla
If you don’t like the idea of telemetry data being sent to the developer, you can disable that function also.
To do that, follow the path Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac) > Privacy & Security > Firefox Data Collection and Use and edit the preferences for sharing telemetry data with Mozilla.
Disable DRM-controlled Content
Digital Rights Management or DRM is technology that allows online video and audio services, like Netflix, to enforce their own requirements when the content they provide is being played. Waterfox has the DRM feature disabled by default. This will, however, prevent you from watching DRM protected content from sites like Netflix.
To disable DRM-controlled content, go to Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac), then scroll down until you see Digital Rights Management (DRM) content. Deselect Play DRM-controlled content to disable it.
Which Browser Should You Choose?
We recommend using Firefox because it receives security updates on release. If you have used both browsers you will realize that the advantages that Waterfox initially had over Firefox no longer apply.
Share your thoughts on whether you prefer Firefox vs. Waterfox in the comments section below.
