Mozilla promises big security strides in the upcoming release of Firefox 3, including access to a Google's database of malware-laced Web sites and a warning system that will alert users who are about to visit them. IT security professionals who have experimented with the latest beta say tweaks are needed but that the overall changes look promising.

In an interview with SearchSecurity.com, Mozilla vice president of engineering Mike Schroepfer said one of the main goals behind Firefox 3 was to bolster security in a browser many already consider a safer alternative to Microsoft's much-attacked Internet Explorer. Essentially, the plan was to give Firefox the ability to save users from themselves.

"A big initiative was to give users more information about the Web site they are visiting," he said. "Does the site have an extended validation ticket and does it have a history of hosting malware? The goal is to better explain to the user where they are going and what the risks are, and to help them make rational choices."

Firefox 3 Beta 1 was released for testing purposes late last month. On its Firefox 3 beta release notes page, Mozilla describes the following security improvements:

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Also: Firefox 3 Beta 2 expected in late December