I've used Cyberfox as my default browser for well over a year because the developer is so accessible and dedicated. I've seen version 1.2.3 of Cf out before Ff 1.2.3 is out and at worst, Cf 1.2.3 will be available withing hours of Ff updates. Having said that, on my X64 W7 SP1 (previously, now W10) I often have various issues for several days after Cf updates, although I'm sure there are issues with Ff updates too. An example would be Cyberfox/Sanboxie issues (I guess you could blame Sandboxie) on certain websites that do not occur with Firefox. I also often test Nightly. Last week, however, I noticed on Major Geeks a new Ff beta and it included a x64 version. I enabled it as my default browser after several hours of use and I'm really impressed. I realize that speed-battle may not be the be all and end all of browser testing but this v 41.0b9 scores the highest every time. It may be indiscernible but a score is a score (e.g. just now: Ff 1483.22, Cf 1416 and Nightly 1423.11). The thing is, that Ff x32, Cf or Nightly might have the highest score when I'd make the comparison. I have yet to see this Firefox beta not have the highest.
Just beware that most internet security suites do not support a 64-bit browser, so their respective browser security will not work in FF 64-bit. Also, I read somewhere that apart from a few plugins, most FF plugins are 32-bit only, so they too will not work. I am not sure about FF extensions, probably they are also 32-bit FF dependent. So, to get a little boost in speed, you are in fact compromising on FF experience, and more importantly, security. Of course the choice is still yours, I just thought you should beware of these before you make 64-bit FF your default browser.
@Raza0007: Instead of relying on 3rd-party security, you should at least also note the positives of plugin incompatibility (most of which adware), more effective ASLR, etc.
^ There are pros and cons of using a 64-bit browser. I just wanted to let ratchet to know of the above mentioned concerns. Like him I too was looking for a 64-bit browser a few months ago, but I decided against one for the above mentioned reasons. This may change in the future, but for now a 32-bit browser is the best and safest choice.
Firstly, thank you for this information! Secondly, I'm the first to admit that most performance differences, browser or some other function being performed, are usually not discernible. Having said those things, however, you are telling me that Firefox's own security features, Norton Security, Malwarebytes (Premium) and Sandboxie (64-bit) are ineffective because I'm browsing with Firefox v41.0b9? Absolutely no disrespect intended, however, I find that hard to imagine.
Most internet security suites should absolutely support 64 bit programs. What you will not get are things like Norton toolbars and such. Binary plugins will likely be 32 bit only and not work. If your internet security suite can't protect you without browser plugins then it isn't worth using. Extensions seem to work fine on the 64 bit version. It is very rare to encounter one that does not work.
I was not sure about the extensions, but when I did this research a few months ago, apart from a few plugins, most only supported 32-bit FF. Norton Security 2015's Browser Vulnerability Protection, Phishing Protection, Safe Search, and Password Management only work on 32-bit FF. So I chose the 32-bit FF over the 64-bit for now. This may change in the future though.
Well I do not use Sandboxie or Malwarebytes, but Norton Browser based protections only work on 32-bit FF. Mozilla also currently does not support or recommend 64-bit FF, as it is still in beta and I read somewhere that they were planning to shelve the project altogether. I was just pointing out that the millisecond differences in the speed of the browsers mentioned in benchmarks is not a sufficient reason to switch to 64-bit FF at the moment. Consider that it takes human eye 300 to 400 milliseconds to blink, so the difference is usually lost in the blink of an eye. This may change in the future though. However, if you are happy with 64-bit FF, then by all means, continue using it.
If you're a Norton user 64 bit is a no go. They don't even support betas so it wouldn't work anyway. LastPass works fine. Password Managers with binary plugins would not work (Norton, Sticky Password, etc.) 64 bit Firefox won't be any good until they release it as nobody will support it as long as it is beta. But, it does mostly work if you're not on Norton.
On my W8.1 x64 system FF Nightly with uBlock Origin plug-in works fine using both AppGuard and Sandboxie. The Nightly builds have been available for quite a long time... Expect daily updates. The updates can sometimes cause Nightly to work not quite right... but that is the point of Nightly builds = they are betas...
Interesting indeed, although I'm really not worried, with my safe browsing habits, Malwarebytes and Sandboxie. Then today, I'm catching up on some of the How-To Geek articles from the past few days and in this one, he claims x64 browsers are safer, unless I interpret the information incorrectly.
Interesting read. I see from that article that Firefox was shooting for 41 as a 64 bit release. They obviously did not make it. 64 bit browsers are safer for the reasons he stated. I haven't been infected by anything (that I have been able to find) in a decade, so I'm not terribly worried about it. I'm also not using an AV that has browser plugins, so I'm not worried about that either. If a 64 bit version of Firefox were to be released (not beta) I would certainly be using it.
Just wanted to mention that your quoted article is a general comparison between a 64-bit browser and a 32-bit browser, not a an endorsement of the 64-bit Firefox over the 32-bit Firefox.
No, it's about "7 Ways to Secure Your Web Browser Against Attacks!" Also, "Stable 64-bit versions of Firefox aren’t yet available, although you can use developer builds," certainly suggests that the beta I'm using has the x64 advantage the author describes. Bye the way, I have not experienced any instability and all of my extensions and plugins work fine, as they have always with Cyberfox and Nightly.
