A new version of Firefox is available (version 1.0.2), which incorporates a few security fixes.

I expect the update icon on Firefox will soon be showing. The update can be done using that. If you don't want to wait, or would prefer to do a clean, install of the browser, the new version can be downloaded from here.

Update icon shows here!

A complaint of using the update icon for updating Firefox has been that it causes two or more instances of Firefox to be shown in 'Add/Remove Programs'. Whilst that doesn't affect the running of the browser, it does annoy some people and they click on the old version entry and choose to uninstall it.

Unfortunately, doing this also affects the new version and Firefox ends up being uninstalled entirely. So, if you have more than one entry in Add/Remove, they are best left alone. There isn't actually two instances of Firefox installed. Just two entries for it. Uninstalling the old version before installing the new one avoids the double entry. A new version of Firefox (1.0.3) is now being tested. When this one is installed, it should overwrite the existing version number in Add/Remove Programs, rather than give an extra one.

The update icon doesn't only show when a new version of Firefox is available. It will also come on if there are any updates available for installed extensions or themes.

It is possible to set Firefox's update options (or check for updates manually at any time) by going to: Tools > Options > Advanced and scrolling down to the 'Software Update' heading.

The new version is good but a few of the themes are having some problems with it. I generally use "Grey Modern" as my browser theme and sadly I`m getting "pointer flicker". The pointer is invisible unless moving and flickers whilst moving. I have had to change to the theme "708090" which is similar but not quite as pleasing to my eyes. I guess someone will get around to updating my prefered theme one day.

Problems with extensions and themes in Firefox can often be overcome by making a new Profile. You might as well wait a bit before trying anything though. Version 1.0.3 of FF will be released shortly to overcome a recently discovered security vulnerability. This version is still in the testing stage (although it does work ). I think it only took a couple of days to find a solution. The trouble is that, although the test version patches the hole, there has been work to do before official release of 1.0.3 is possible.

You can keep track of 1.0.3 progress and read the findings of the testers by following the links in the first post of this page:

If you still get problems after this update, perhaps try making a new profile.