Firefox has just improved the ability to distinguish between work and personal browsing.

      Mozilla has launched Firefox 153, providing users with an integrated method to separate work, personal, shopping, and banking activities. The update started to roll out to Release channel users on July 21 and includes enhancements like HDR video playback on Windows, improved PDF handling, and better control over local files and network devices.

      Containers enable users to open tabs in separate areas where cookies, logins, and site storage don't mix. This allows individuals to stay logged into two accounts on the same site, keep their work Google account distinct from personal YouTube use, or prevent shopping cookies from tracking their regular browsing.

      What functionalities do Firefox Containers offer?

      This feature is aimed at individuals who frequently manage different online identities but prefer not to use private windows or separate browser profiles. Company accounts can be contained within a Work container, financial sites in a Banking container, and online shopping within a Shopping container.

      Each container can be customized with its own name, color, and icon, allowing for easy tab identification. To create one, users can right-click a tab and choose “Open in New Container Tab.” Firefox provides pre-defined categories for Personal, Work, Banking, and Shopping, with options for custom categories as well.

      Digital Trends

      The underlying technology isn’t new; Mozilla has provided it for years through the Multi-Account Containers extension. Firefox 153 integrates this capability into the browser itself, eliminating the need for an add-on for fundamental tab isolation.

      The extension still offers advanced features, such as assigning specific websites to designated containers and linking individual containers through Mozilla VPN. Current users can continue using the extension alongside the native feature.

      What additional features are included in Firefox 153?

      Firefox now supports HDR video playback on compatible Windows displays once HDR is activated in the system settings. Users can share webpages via QR codes, and the PDF editor can now merge documents and insert images as new pages.

      Other enhancements include a color picker in the address bar and experimental JPEG XL support via Firefox Labs. Extensions are now required to obtain separate permissions to access local files, and sites must gain approval before connecting to local network devices or services.

      For those who favor a Chromium-based browser, Brave has recently introduced a similar Containers feature in its desktop app. It provides a comparable method for keeping accounts, cookies, and browsing sessions distinct without needing to switch profiles.