Mozilla has released version 1.5 of the open-source Firefox browser, in beta since August, and is available for free download for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux from the Mozilla website, writes InformationWeek. Version 1.5 includes automatic updates, faster back and forward page viewing, drag-and-drop tab reordering, and new support for web standards, including JavaScript 1.6 and cascading style sheets CSS2 and CSS3.

Its "Clear Private Data" tool allows users to remove personal data such as browser history, saved passwords, cookies and authenticated sessions.

Firefox has attracted large numbers of online surfers, most of them previously Microsoft IE users, and now holds anywhere from 8 percent to 12 percent of the world's browser market, according to various estimates. SpreadFirefox.com will launch a new campaign for 1.5 that includes video clips that website administrators can use to promote the browser.

Mozilla claims that word-of-mouth and volunteer-led marketing have helped Firefox claim 50 million active users over the past year, writes the Times Online. The new version is being marketed as more secure than prior versions and rivals.

An in-depth list of the changes incorporated in version 1.5 is available here.