The latest version of the Firefox web browser, Firefox 14, was released on July 17. Following a sweep of cyber attacks that have dominated tech publication headlines over the last few weeks, this update finally gives users some good news regarding online security.

People who use Firefox may have less cause to worry about virus and spyware removal, as one of  the most publicized features of the new browser has boosted online search security. According to the company's blog, all Google inquiries made using Firefox 14 will automatically take place via a secure server, signified by https rather than http.

"While Google users may expect Google to know what they are searching for, Firefox users may not be aware these search terms are often transmitted to sites they visit," Sid Stamm, the Lead Privacy Engineer at Mozilla, explains.  "Enabling HTTPS search helps sites like Google strip this information from the HTTP referrer string, putting the user better in control of …[how] their interests are shared."

In a nutshell, this means that websites accessed via a Google search may not have access to certain details about the searcher, such as where and how they were directed to a specific site.

With so much personal information floating around on the internet, users may be relieved to see that companies are taking active steps to protect individual privacy.

TechCrunch notes that, apart from this added security element and the fact that Apple users with Mac OS X will be able to use full screen browsers, the new update isn't extraordinarily different from past incarnations.

But, while residents in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C, who use Firefox as their primary browser may now be better protected, there is still always a risk of device corruption. If you have any such issue, contact Geeks On-site for local spyware and virus removal.