Are Extensions Safer in Firefox or Chrome? Sandbox vs. Open Market by Kevin Dwinnell

The debate continues over whether it’s better to have a closed system for distributing apps or a more open one. You see it a lot in comparing Apple’s App Store to Google’s Android Marketplace. Apple reviews and approves every app before launch. You’re ensured a certain level of product quality, integrity and safety because of that pre-approval. Android – buyer beware. It’s easy for anyone to upload an app, and while it’s a waste of time when you download a poorly designed and functioning app, it’s harmful when that app carries malicious code with it.

The battle is also fought in the browser space. Firefox has a “sandbox” that all extensions must enter to be reviewed by one of the Mozilla community volunteers before it’s ultimately released into the public. The Google Chrome Web Store is like the Android Marketplace in that anything and everything loaded is immediately available for public consumption.

Read the rest of this page »

Posted in Commentary | Tags: add-ons, App Store, Apple, brand thunder, Chrome Web Store, extensions, firefox, Google, IPhone, Mozilla, safety | No Comments »