For those of you still not satisfied with the Firefox fork ecosystem, we propose to you Konform Browser. Yes, it's another one about privacy and security with a canine logo. But I do think we have something to bring to the table.
This started as a fork of LibreWolf and now stands on its own four feet.
Some highlights to give an idea to those having used LibreWolf or another FF fork:
- Security: Konform is based on Firefox ESR. This means a more stable base without missing out on the latest security updates, in exchange for longer time waiting for the newest features from Firefox.
- In this sense (and a few others), Konform Browser is closer to IceCat/GNUZilla than it is to Librewolf.
- Freedom: Konform allows a higher level of customization. It gives the user control and trusts you with that responsibility. Some examples:
- Allows enabling dark mode and following system theming even when Resist Fingerprinting is enabled.
- Allows installing your own self-built unsigned add-ons
- "Spoof referer source" user configuration option
- Privacy and security: Disables all browser features relying on external network connections^1^.
- "RemoteSettings" is completely disabled^2^.
- No cloud "AI" integrations. You can run Konform on a disconnected network and not notice any reduced functionality.
- All telemetry, metrics, and ads from the browser disabled.
- OCSP turned off.
- tcpdump and see the difference
Oh, and it actually builds on Arch, in contrast to IceCat^3^. In fact, currently the only supported distribution channels are source on Codeberg and AUR.
While it's not entirely newborn, it's still early days so we won't say "trust me bro" here - this is currently not ready for a non-technical audience but rather looking to engage with people who might already be building their own Firefox or Chromium forks. Continuing work on what we consider a production-ready browser while not rushing to ship a single binary is intentional.
I should add that even if we contrast with LibreWolf above, this is not at all meant as a dig or criticism. That we chose it as base and that it's the easiest to compare with is a testament both to how closely aligned we are and that Konform has a lot to thank Librewolf and the wider Firefox customization community for. Like they built from Librefox and Arkenfox to bring private browsing to a wider audience, so are we but the next to try help widen and deepen the browser ecosystem.
Doors open for users, testers and contributors. Looking forward to hear what you think and if there's anything missing.
^1^: One notable exception is allowing the bundled uBlock origin to perform filter lists updates.
^2^: This means that local full-page translation is also unavailable even if in principle it should be possible to bundle and run translations fully locally. It's just the way Mozilla built it. Patches towards allowing users to enable fully offline translations would be very welcome.
^3^: For now; I'm sure they will fix it too. Lots of respect for the GNUZilla/IceCat people.
https://codeberg.org/konform-browser
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