Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Reaches End of Life

June 4, 2007; 03:09 AM
Mozilla released the final update for Firefox 1.5. Mozilla recommends that Firefox 1.5 users upgrade to Firefox 2 to have most secure experience on the Web. While Firefox 1.5 is current with the latest security and stability updates from Mozilla, it will not receive future updates. Users of the 1.5 version may be vulnerable when new security issues arise on the Web.

In the next 24 hours, Firefox 1.5 users will be prompted via the auto-update alert in the browser to download the update called 1.5.0.12. This update includes an upgrade mechanism that gives users the ability to easily migrate to Firefox 2. Users will receive an alert in the next few weeks when the upgrade is available. They can also go to www.getfirefox.com to download the latest version of Firefox.

By ending product support for older software versions Mozilla can better channel developers’ contribution toward the most up-to-date version of the browser. This ensures Firefox users can access Mozilla’s effective search and communication tools and benefit from the most secure browser Mozilla offers.

“The security of our users is one of Mozilla’s highest priorities,” said Basil Hashem, Mozilla’s senior director, product management. “We're consumer focused and have aggressive development and life cycle policies. We believe it's necessary to ensure people have the safest, fastest, and best possible online experience.”

Shortly after the launch of Firefox 2, Mozilla announced it would stop updating Firefox 1.5 and give users approximately six months to upgrade to the newest version of Firefox. It is Mozilla’s standard product life cycle policy to continue updates for six months following the general availability of a new major release. Since then, Mozilla has been communicating with the SpreadFirefox community to raise awareness about the benefits of upgrading to Firefox 2.

About Mozilla

Mozilla is a global community dedicated to building free, open source products and technologies that improve the online experience for people everywhere. We work in the open with a highly disciplined, transparent and cooperative development process, under the umbrella of the non-profit Mozilla Foundation. As a wholly owned subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation organizes the development and marketing of Mozilla products. This unique structure has enabled Mozilla to financially support and cultivate competitive, viable community innovation. For more information, visit www.mozilla.com.