Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
(It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).

And supposedly Waterfox doesn't have the unique token ID that Firefox has.

With that in mind, and given I've tested _all_ the known freeware browsers,
I tried the latest WaterFox installer located here today:
<https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/>

But it failed to open on a current version of Windows 10 Pro.
<https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.8%20Setup.exe>
Name: Waterfox G4.0.8 Setup.exe
Size: 66868640 bytes (63 MiB)
SHA256: 76B964ECCED62345E831AA6F3BFCA1C92CF8E792D2E2779EDC8BDCB6C92DFD95

I then tried the penultimate WaterFox installer dated 14-Feb-2022 11:44
<https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.7%20Setup.exe>
Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72
Same thing. No matter how many times I doubleclicked, it wouldn't launch.

Then I tried the one before that.
<https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.6%20Setup.exe>
Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72

Frustrated, I went to my USB stick software archives and pulled out
Date: 20200818
Name: Waterfox Current 2020.07.2.1 Setup.exe
Size: 50005152 bytes (47 MiB)
SHA256: 4AD44E410906F4B4AE28988BBC9FB6E8057D8D2FCCFC3E329F57CD0F5FEA2A1C

That came up with a warning:
"You've launched an older version of Firefox"
"Using an older version of Firefox can corrupt bookmarks and browsing
history already saved to an existing Firefox profile. To protect your
information, create a new profile for this installation of Waterfox."
And then it tried to phone home but I had the killswitch on so it couldn't
<https://www.waterfox.net/blog/waterfox-2020.07.2.1-release/?new>

At that point it wanted to update (of course) so I let it update.
Now it says it's "Waterfox G3.1.1.1 (64-bit) based on Gecko 78.8.0

And it went to this location: <https://www.waterfox.net/blog/>
Which says:
"An Update on Waterfox Classic, October 28, 2021
Since Waterfox Classic and Waterfox Current (now G4) diverged,
they have both have separate goals.

G4 has its eyes set to the future - a modern browser, focusing on
modern web compatibility without sacrificing speed, or the balance
of privacy and usability.

Classic has focused on keeping the tried but tested available.
Unfortunately, due to the rapid nature that the web is now expanding at,
keeping Classic up to date with that is difficult."

This is all so confusing but I can confirm this version of Waterfox works.

Have you had a similar experience with the latest version of Waterfox?
<https://i.postimg.cc/XNdPgMbQ/waterfox01.jpg> version G3.2.5 up to date
<https://i.postimg.cc/4x17HqSQ/waterfox02.jpg> latest version fails
<https://i.postimg.cc/HxH7DTTd/waterfox03.jpg> penultimate version fails
<https://i.postimg.cc/Nf43cDYX/waterfox04.jpg> G3.1.1.1 version launches

On 3/21/22 23:02, this is what Andy Burnelli wrote:
> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>
> And supposedly Waterfox doesn't have the unique token ID that Firefox has.
>
> With that in mind, and given I've tested _all_ the known freeware browsers,
> I tried the latest WaterFox installer located here today:
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/>
>
> But it failed to open on a current version of Windows 10 Pro.
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.8%20Setup.exe>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.8 Setup.exe
> Size: 66868640 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 76B964ECCED62345E831AA6F3BFCA1C92CF8E792D2E2779EDC8BDCB6C92DFD95
>
> I then tried the penultimate WaterFox installer dated 14-Feb-2022 11:44
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.7%20Setup.exe>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
> Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72
> Same thing. No matter how many times I doubleclicked, it wouldn't launch.
>
> Then I tried the one before that.
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.6%20Setup.exe>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
> Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72
>
> Frustrated, I went to my USB stick software archives and pulled out Date: 20200818
> Name: Waterfox Current 2020.07.2.1 Setup.exe
> Size: 50005152 bytes (47 MiB)
> SHA256: 4AD44E410906F4B4AE28988BBC9FB6E8057D8D2FCCFC3E329F57CD0F5FEA2A1C
>
> That came up with a warning:
> "You've launched an older version of Firefox"
> "Using an older version of Firefox can corrupt bookmarks and browsing
>  history already saved to an existing Firefox profile. To protect your
>  information, create a new profile for this installation of Waterfox."
> And then it tried to phone home but I had the killswitch on so it couldn't
> <https://www.waterfox.net/blog/waterfox-2020.07.2.1-release/?new>
>
> At that point it wanted to update (of course) so I let it update.
> Now it says it's "Waterfox G3.1.1.1 (64-bit) based on Gecko 78.8.0
>
> And it went to this location: <https://www.waterfox.net/blog/>
> Which says:
> "An Update on Waterfox Classic, October 28, 2021
> Since Waterfox Classic and Waterfox Current (now G4) diverged, they have both have separate goals.
>
> G4 has its eyes set to the future - a modern browser, focusing on modern web compatibility without sacrificing speed, or the balance of
> privacy and usability.
>
> Classic has focused on keeping the tried but tested available.
> Unfortunately, due to the rapid nature that the web is now expanding at,
> keeping Classic up to date with that is difficult."
>
> This is all so confusing but I can confirm this version of Waterfox works.
>
> Have you had a similar experience with the latest version of Waterfox?
> <https://i.postimg.cc/XNdPgMbQ/waterfox01.jpg> version G3.2.5 up to date
> <https://i.postimg.cc/4x17HqSQ/waterfox02.jpg> latest version fails <https://i.postimg.cc/HxH7DTTd/waterfox03.jpg> penultimate version fails
> <https://i.postimg.cc/Nf43cDYX/waterfox04.jpg> G3.1.1.1 version launches

I have G4.0.8 64 bit and love it. Works with my css files, and a few browser add-ons. I use sync for bookmarks and settings and Firefox
and Waterfox both keep up to date with each other.
PS. I run Linux not Windows.

Op 22-03-2022 om 04:02 schreef Andy Burnelli:
> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).

The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>
> And supposedly Waterfox doesn't have the unique token ID that Firefox has.

Nor has Firefox.
A few days ago we read here the ID was not unique but the same for every
download, something you can check yourself.
>
> With that in mind, and given I've tested _all_ the known freeware browsers,
> I tried the latest WaterFox installer located here today:
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/>

In other words, for privacy there is no need to look further than Firefox.
>
> But it failed to open on a current version of Windows 10 Pro.
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.8%20Setup.exe>
>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.8 Setup.exe
> Size: 66868640 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 76B964ECCED62345E831AA6F3BFCA1C92CF8E792D2E2779EDC8BDCB6C92DFD95
>
> I then tried the penultimate WaterFox installer dated 14-Feb-2022 11:44
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.7%20Setup.exe>
>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
> Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72
> Same thing. No matter how many times I doubleclicked, it wouldn't launch.
>
> Then I tried the one before that.
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/Waterfox%20G4.0.6%20Setup.exe>
>
> Name: Waterfox G4.0.7 Setup.exe
> Size: 67049208 bytes (63 MiB)
> SHA256: 4E8B32FDEBFF4AF284C20D2EED58BFBB61C88C34B7F3895F887EB2E32218AB72
>
> Frustrated, I went to my USB stick software archives and pulled out
> Date: 20200818
> Name: Waterfox Current 2020.07.2.1 Setup.exe
> Size: 50005152 bytes (47 MiB)
> SHA256: 4AD44E410906F4B4AE28988BBC9FB6E8057D8D2FCCFC3E329F57CD0F5FEA2A1C
>
> That came up with a warning:
> "You've launched an older version of Firefox"
> "Using an older version of Firefox can corrupt bookmarks and browsing
>  history already saved to an existing Firefox profile. To protect your
>  information, create a new profile for this installation of Waterfox."
> And then it tried to phone home but I had the killswitch on so it couldn't
> <https://www.waterfox.net/blog/waterfox-2020.07.2.1-release/?new>
>
> At that point it wanted to update (of course) so I let it update.
> Now it says it's "Waterfox G3.1.1.1 (64-bit) based on Gecko 78.8.0
>
> And it went to this location: <https://www.waterfox.net/blog/>
> Which says:
> "An Update on Waterfox Classic, October 28, 2021
> Since Waterfox Classic and Waterfox Current (now G4) diverged, they have
> both have separate goals.
>
> G4 has its eyes set to the future - a modern browser, focusing on modern
> web compatibility without sacrificing speed, or the balance of privacy
> and usability.
>
> Classic has focused on keeping the tried but tested available.
> Unfortunately, due to the rapid nature that the web is now expanding at,
> keeping Classic up to date with that is difficult."
>
> This is all so confusing but I can confirm this version of Waterfox works.
>
> Have you had a similar experience with the latest version of Waterfox?
> <https://i.postimg.cc/XNdPgMbQ/waterfox01.jpg> version G3.2.5 up to date
> <https://i.postimg.cc/4x17HqSQ/waterfox02.jpg> latest version fails
> <https://i.postimg.cc/HxH7DTTd/waterfox03.jpg> penultimate version fails
> <https://i.postimg.cc/Nf43cDYX/waterfox04.jpg> G3.1.1.1 version launches

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>
> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.

Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.

On 21-Mar.-2022 23:02, Andy Burnelli wrote:
> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>
> And supposedly Waterfox doesn't have the unique token ID that Firefox has.
>
> With that in mind, and given I've tested _all_ the known freeware browsers,
> I tried the latest WaterFox installer located here today:
> <https://cdn.waterfox.net/releases/win64/installer/>

<big snip>

Never had any problems with either of them.

Latest Waterfox Classic 2202.02:
https://classic.waterfox.net/

Latest Waterfox G4.0.8:
https://www.waterfox.net/download/

Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>
>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>
>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>
> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
No.
You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
Firefox.
Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.

"Thomas" <canope234@gmail.com> wrote

| > The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
| | Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
| already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox
users.

The rule of thumb for software installation in the age
of spyware: Always disconnect from the Internet when
installing any software. Then open the software and
adjust it. Hopefully you also have a firewall that won't
let a new program go out until you approve. If you
don't then you may be surprised at how many programs
try to go out during install, without asking and without
telling you. The first time I saw that happen was about
2004, with Norton System Works. The setup stalled
because I was blocking it going out. It stalled for a couple
of minutes, never once telling me what it was trying to do.
Finally, it continued the install.

On 3/22/22 09:08, this is what Mayayana wrote:
> "Thomas" <canope234@gmail.com> wrote
>
> | > The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
> |
> | Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
> | already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox
> users.
>
> The rule of thumb for software installation in the age
> of spyware: Always disconnect from the Internet when
> installing any software. Then open the software and
> adjust it. Hopefully you also have a firewall that won't
> let a new program go out until you approve. If you
> don't then you may be surprised at how many programs
> try to go out during install, without asking and without
> telling you. The first time I saw that happen was about
> 2004, with Norton System Works. The setup stalled
> because I was blocking it going out. It stalled for a couple
> of minutes, never once telling me what it was trying to do.
> Finally, it continued the install.
>
> What firewall do you use that you can see first time requests?
I used to have a good one but it's gone and not developed.

"Big Al" <Bears@invalid.com> wrote

| > What firewall do you use that you can see first time requests?
| I used to have a good one but it's gone and not developed.
|

I'm using different ones. On XP I have Online Armor 4.0.0.15 free.
It shows a popup to ask whether I want to allow something to
go out. I can then look in the log and see what IP it's trying to call.

On Win7 I'm using Private Firewall, which I think just blocks things
until I set them up. So sometimes I have problems because I've
forgotten that I need to allow something to go out.

On Win10 I'm using Tiny Firewall, which I think does similar.
Though I think TF may actually default to letting things through
if I don't block them. So I have to keep an eye on it. For example,
if I remember correctly, Edge and Edge updater both set themselves
up to go through and I had to specifically block them.

I'd like to have the same functionality on 7/10 that I have on
XP, but after some searching, those seemed to be the best
options I could find. Maybe someone else here has better
information and will pipe up.

Mayayana wrote:

> The rule of thumb for software installation in the age
> of spyware: Always disconnect from the Internet when
> installing any software.

To further flesh out Mayayana's helpful point of view...

Astute readers will notice the green/red custom icon just below the RUN icon
in my taskbar which is a convenient killswitch defined long ago on this ng.
<https://i.postimg.cc/BvcC7RCZ/waterfox05.jpg>

The rule of thumb for software installation is to
a. Always save the archive
b. Preferably into an organized static archival hierarchy
c. And then hit the killswitch before installing a copy
d. As some installers 'eat themselves' by adding unique identifiers
e. And always install into an organized static app hierarchy
f. And always move the desktop shortcut into an organized menu hierarchy
g. And peruse all app settings to turn off privacy invasions
h. And only tap the killswitch toggle when you're satisfied
i. Keeping an eye on your firewall for any subsequent privacy leaks
--
Every post to Usenet should strive to add helpful heart-felt added value.

On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>
> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
> > On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
> >
> >>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
> >>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
> >>
> >> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
> >
> > Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
> > already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
> No.
> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
> Firefox.
> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.

Is that a possible strategy?

In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
fetch the real installer and run it.

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
Shikata ga nai...

On 3/22/2022 12:01 PM, Stan Brown wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>
>> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
>>> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>>>
>>>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>>>
>>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
>>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
>> No.
>> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
>> Firefox.
>> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.
>
> Is that a possible strategy?
>
> In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
> installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
> fetch the real installer and run it.
>

Now you can compare your "about:telemetry" to mine.
Mine was done with the stub installer, for "authenticity" :-)

https://i.postimg.cc/Pr28VPp5/my-dltoken.gif

Paul

"Stan Brown" <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm> wrote

| Is that a possible strategy?
| | In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
| installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
| fetch the real installer and run it.
| With some things you have to look for the "offline
installer". All Mozilla products are here, and you can
still get every version made. It's easier than the website:

http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/

Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>
>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>
>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>
> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
Duh!
Disable the network connection, install, remove the telemetry and
re-enable the network.

Op 22-03-2022 om 17:01 schreef Stan Brown:
> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>
>> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
>>> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>>>
>>>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>>>
>>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
>>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
>> No.
>> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
>> Firefox.
>> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.
>
> Is that a possible strategy?
>
> In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
> installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
> fetch the real installer and run it.
>
Sorry, I don't do Microsoft.

On 3/22/2022 2:39 PM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

> Sorry, I don't do Microsoft.

Do you have a dltoken ?

This is science, and we need to know :-)

Paul

Paul wrote:

> Now you can compare your "about:telemetry" to mine.
> Mine was done with the stub installer, for "authenticity" :-)
>
> https://i.postimg.cc/Pr28VPp5/my-dltoken.gif

Mine was done with the full offline installer to compare with Paul's.
<https://i.postimg.cc/gjyTq90w/telemetry01.jpg>

Also mine is set up for privacy using Mayayana's "policies.json" file.
{"policies": {
"DisableAppUpdate": true,
"DisableFirefoxStudies": true,
"DisableSystemAddonUpdate": true,
"DisableTelemetry": true
}
}

1. Start Firefox (mine was 98.0.1 (32-bit) on Windows 10 Pro
2. Go to "about:telemetry"
3. Press on the "Environment Data" link
<about:telemetry#environment-data-tab>
4. Press on the "Settings" link
<about:telemetry#environment-data-tab_settings>
5. Type "dl" into the search box
<about:telemetry#environment-data-tab_settings_search=dl>

The result, for me anyway, was:
system
gfx.Headless false

settings
intl.requestedLocales [en-US]
How does that compare to what you would _expect_ the full offline installer
to look like (and with the policies.json file set up from Mayayana)?

And how does it compare to the web stub result that Paul uploaded for us?
<https://i.postimg.cc/Pr28VPp5/my-dltoken.gif>
--
Every post to Usenet should strive to add value so as to be helpful to all.

On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:03:43 -0400, Paul wrote:
>
> On 3/22/2022 12:01 PM, Stan Brown wrote:
> > On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
> >>
> >> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
> >>> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
> >>>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
> >>>>
> >>>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
> >>>
> >>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
> >>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
> >> No.
> >> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
> >> Firefox.
> >> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.
> >
> > Is that a possible strategy?
> >
> > In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
> > installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
> > fetch the real installer and run it.
> >
>
> Now you can compare your "about:telemetry" to mine.
> Mine was done with the stub installer, for "authenticity" :-)
>

My "about:telemetry" had a not more lines, but they didn't seem
especially pernicious.

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
Shikata ga nai...

Stan Brown wrote:

> Is that a possible strategy?

Stan,

It's pretty clear (to me anyway) the Dirk character is trolling for his
amusement. I wouldn't waste a single iota of time on what he claims.

I'd trust what Paul and Andy Burns say, as they are credible.
On Usenet, credibility is all we have. And few posters have that.

(Removed a.c.f as Paolo has banned posting to that group due to spam.)
--
Each post should be purposefully helpful and sincerely from the heart.

Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:

>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
> Duh!
> Disable the network connection, install, remove the telemetry and
> re-enable the network.

Either this Dirk character is stupid or a troll playing stupid.
Either way, nothing this Dirk character has said is correct.
So he's just wasting our time (probably for his own amusement).
Time to edit my manual killfile.

Paul wrote:
> On 3/22/2022 12:01 PM, Stan Brown wrote:
>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>
>>> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
>>>> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>>>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>>>>
>>>>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>>>>
>>>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
>>>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox
>>>> users.
>>> No.
>>> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
>>> Firefox.
>>> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network
>>> connection.
>>
>> Is that a possible strategy?
>>
>> In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
>> installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
>> fetch the real installer and run it.
>>
>
> Now you can compare your "about:telemetry" to mine.
> Mine was done with the stub installer, for "authenticity" :-)
>
> https://i.postimg.cc/Pr28VPp5/my-dltoken.gif

Mine says (copied and pasted):
_________________________________________________________________________
This page shows the information about performance, hardware, usage and
customizations collected by Telemetry. This information is submitted to
Mozilla to help improve Mozilla Firefox.

Telemetry is collecting release data and upload is disabled.

Looking for more information?

The Firefox Data Documentation contains guides about how to work
with our data tools.
The Firefox Telemetry client documentation includes definitions for
concepts, API documentation and data references.
The Telemetry dashboards allow you to visualize the data Mozilla
receives via Telemetry.
The Probe Dictionary provides details and descriptions for the
probes collected by Telemetry.
_________________________________________________________________________

This might allay concerns about a unique identifier being set up when a
person updates if telemetry is already turned off.

--
John C. BS206. No ad, CD, commercial, cripple, demo, nag, pirated,
share, spy, time-limited, trial or web wares for me please. I filter out
posts made from Google Groups and cross-posted (sent to more than one
newsgroup at a time) messages. I recommend you do likewise.

On 3/22/2022 8:36 PM, Stan Brown wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:03:43 -0400, Paul wrote:
>>
>> On 3/22/2022 12:01 PM, Stan Brown wrote:
>>> On Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:23:11 +0100, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Op 22-03-2022 om 12:32 schreef Thomas:
>>>>> On Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:59:47 AM, Dirk T. Verbeek wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.
>>>>>>> (It doesn't even contain the telemetry switches that Firefox does).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The telemetry is easy to switch off, it is a user choice.
>>>>>
>>>>> Only after they already have you since you can't switch it off until it
>>>>> already is installed but by then mozilla nailed all web stub firefox users.
>>>> No.
>>>> You download, next disable the internet connection and only then install
>>>> Firefox.
>>>> Now you disable the telemetry and finally re-enable the network connection.
>>>
>>> Is that a possible strategy?
>>>
>>> In December, configuring a new computer I downloaded a Firefox
>>> installer but it was only a few MB and seemed to do nothing more than
>>> fetch the real installer and run it.
>>>
>>
>> Now you can compare your "about:telemetry" to mine.
>> Mine was done with the stub installer, for "authenticity" :-)
>>
>
> My "about:telemetry" had a not more lines, but they didn't seem
> especially pernicious.

In the "search box" on that page, I entered "dl" so that mainly
the dltoken would appear.

Paul

John C. wrote:

> Mine says (copied and pasted):

I saw that too but I think you didn't do what Paul said he did it seems.
It's obvious to all Paul left out a few steps but he showed the end result.
With Paul's starting and ending point you can easily figure out what he did.

Please do this one penultimate step before you conclude your final results:
<about:telemetry#environment-data-tab_settings_search=dl>
--
Every post to Usenet should be purposefully helpful from the heart.

Paul wrote:

>> My "about:telemetry" had a not more lines, but they didn't seem
>> especially pernicious.
>
> In the "search box" on that page, I entered "dl" so that mainly
> the dltoken would appear.

Hi Paul,
It seems some people, who were trying to help, only looked at your first
step and your last result, just as I did, where I saw what they saw (which
was just a telemetry help page); but I instantly figured out from looking at
your image that you skipped a few (very minor and quite obvious) steps in
between (which I replicated & reported so nobody is reading the full thread
as if they read my post they would have known all of this beforehand).

People want a _single_ command that they can run, I think, instead of the
starting point and the ending point for them to infer the obvious in
between.

Hence, in the future, all we need to do, I think, is give them this one URI:
<about:telemetry#environment-data-tab_settings_search=dl>

We might even have to tell them to not use the surrounding angle brackets.

Andy Burnelli <spam@nospam.com>:
> Supposedly the Waterfox browser doesn't phone telemetry home.

In case you didn't know, Waterfox is owned by an advertising company.

Yrrah