Microsoft FireFox released? Looks like a JOKE

[Hard core Rikki]

Microsoft FireFox "official site (caution - beware - attention - prudence):

VISIT THE MSFIREFOX SITE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Article from The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/14/ms_firefox/

ATTENTION: It seems to be a FAKE/JOKE website. Whois reveals nothing significant.
Do NOT consider this news, but a warning.

Update: The msfirefox site went offline earlier this morning. Which may or may not have something to do with Microsoft lawyers. Thanks for all the emails and we're sorry for spoiling breakfast for some Mozilla fans.]

The entire open source community was in a state of shock this morning at the news that "Microsoft" has released a version of popular browser Firefox.

The audacious move, which pretty well guarantees Redmond control of the entire browser market, will be received with dismay among those who previously believed that the might of Bill Gates' chequebook could, and should, be resisted.

Naturally, Microsoft has made some improvements to the product, and the new features offered to Firefox fans include:

Simplified user experience
Microsoft Firefox presents a noticeably simpler, more streamlined, less cluttered interface than all other browsers. The introduction of the Cut Away Effect™ randomly disables the rendering of 9/10 of Microsoft Firefox [and] helps to reduce the strain on system resources. This also maximizes the area of the screen devoted to the desktop that you want to see and makes performing the most common computing tasks easy.

Amazing marginal manipulation
Automatically scales a printed margin so that it's not wider than the paper it will be printed on. Microsoft Firefox also includes a multi-page margin preview with live margins, resizing margins to avoid margin clipping, and an option to print only selected margins. Never have you seen a more robust margin technology in one small package.

Instant search box
Web searches using your favorite Microsoft search provider can now be entered into a search box within the toolbar. By eliminating the clutter of other search engines, you can easily choose a REAL reliable Microsoft provider from the dropdown list.

Tabbed browsing
View multiple Microsoft sites in a single browser window. Easily switch from one Microsoft site to another through tabs at the top of the browser frame.

Seems plausible enough. Of course, it's in the area of security where MS Firefox really scores:

Dynamic security protection
Microsoft Firefox 2007 provides security through a robust new architecture, security features that help defend against malicious software, and new ways to better protect against the theft of personal data from fraudulent websites, a practice known as Googling.

Third party opt-in
Disables nearly all pre-installed non-Microsoft software to prevent potentially vulnerable controls from being exposed to attack. You can easily enable or disable required programs as needed through the Add-on Manager by using any valid credit card.

Security status bar
Enhances awareness of website security and privacy settings by displaying colour-coded notifications next to the address bar. Microsoft Firefox changes the address bar to green for websites bearing the Microsoft Partnership Certificate, indicating the site owner has completed extensive identity and friendship verification checks. Googling filter notifications, certificate names, and the gold padlock icon are now also adjacent to the address bar for better visibility.

Googling filter
Proactively warns and helps protect you against potential or known fraudulent sites such as Google.com (???????), blocks the site and shuts down your computer if necessary. The filter is updated several times per hour using the latest security information from Microsoft.

Delete browsing history
Allows you to clean up cached pages, passwords, form data, cookies, and history of illegal warez and propaganda sites - all from a single window.

Address bar protection
Every window, whether it's a pop-up or standard window, will present an address bar to the user, helping to block malicious sites such as Yahoo.com. ??!?!?

Parental controls
To help keep kids safer online, parents can control browsing behavior through the parental control settings built into Microsoft Firefox with an extensive range of options - on or off. Force your child to browse educational Microsoft based content sites only. Teaching your children programming for "native Javascript objects for rich AJAX-style applications" has never been easier. Browsing sessions are automatically examined by Microsoft marketing representatives 24/7.

Microsoft Firefox is available for download here.
It won't run on Mac or Linux.

Bootnote
Thanks to the many readers who alerted us to this shocking and quite unbelievable piece of news.

WARNING: This might be a foolstrap. Check the About section, and rest of site, looks like a joke, and do NOT download on your regular system, at least NOT BEFORE ensuring there is NO SPY BEHAVIOUR.WHO KNOWS ?
I emphasyzed on some example curious wording wich looks suspicious, "coming from" a corporate company. Do NOT consider this a real Microsoft-endorsed release.

As a monopoly, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement, and mutual respect. We are committed to our customers and partners and have a passion for technology.

We take on big challenges such as anti-trust lawsuits, and pride ourselves on seeing them through successfully. We hold ourselves accountable to all our customers, shareholders, partners, and employees by honoring our commitments, providing results, and striving for the highest quality.
We are leading innovators of next generation of web browser software

"LOL, Microsoft Firefox is the merging of unsurpassed technologies, and will effectively trash all its competitors, LMAO!" - Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal


We provide tools for developing Microsoft standards content

* Microsoft offers the best implementation of its web standards. Period. (why period ??)
* By acquiring competitors left, right and center, we offer to to roll a plethora of core technologies into one - removing unnecessary compatibility issues and risks.
* We utilize scare tactics such as filing lawsuits against companies who we deem as second rate or are providing low-key products to our more deserving users. Such techniques has effectively stabilized core security kernels within technologies such as Microsoft Windows.


We are a slightly open source community

* We continue to be a leader and partner in slightly open source development, providing low cost*and alternative choices for technology. With millions of users already, we are one of the world's largest distributors of slightly open source software.
* Our software development processes all take place in the public eye*. We have nothing to hide.

* Official US Civil Antitrust Complaint required

* AKobe Phlash™ Multimedia Kit ????????
This multimedia deployment package works in conjunction with the native Phlash™ Plugin that comes bundled with Microsoft Firefox 2007. Delivering, viewing and downloading customized interactive multimedia content has never been so simple. Learn More (Lawsuit from Adobe Pending)

??!??

Well, the news was still worth sharing. I guess I gave enough warnings and calls to caution already, so... it's "Ethereal and co" time now!
I'll check into this and report if anything significant.

[firyace]

So are there any brave souls yet? I know I am not touching this....

BTW, we already got a MS firefox, its called IE7, its like a clone to Firefox if you ask me.

[S.SubZero]

from msfirefix.com:

Tired of slow image rendering? Microsoft Firefox 2007 can deliver online pornography at blazing fiery speeds. By using a proprietary dynamic algorithm, anything that remotely resembles a tit or a boob will download up to 10 times faster!

SOLD.

Lol gimmick website 8)

Edit: the download links are for IE7 hehe

Oh check the hardware requirements too http://www.msfirefox.com/download-mi...t-firefox.html

[slayer410]

Originally Posted by MSFirefox.com

Credit Card- Microsoft accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Delta and Discover.

Rape.

[Player-X]

Is this a joke or a scam?
For me it seems too sarcastic to be a scam.

[Mako Eyes]

Originally Posted by firyace

BTW, we already got a MS firefox, its called IE7, its like a clone to Firefox if you ask me.

(Bite your tongue Mako... Bite your tongue...)

[General Plot]

I love it.

[Exodus]

This quote sounds too believable to be a fake article:
"LOL, Microsoft Firefox is the merging of unsurpassed technologies, and will effectively trash all its competitors, LMAO!" - Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal