Mozilla has released Firefox 1.0.1 that fixes 17 security flaws - the most serious of which lets an attacker gain full control over someone else's personal computer. While Mozilla deserves credit for being quick to release a new version of Firefox so quickly after 1.0, you wonder if computer users will think twice about leaving Internet Explorer for Firefox. Personally, I think Firefox has plenty of early-adopter runway left before it runs into reluctance from potential users concerned about security issues. Most people who decide to switch to Firefox are savvy computer users and should, in theory, be aware of the importance of security. It's when Firefox moves into the mainstream that security will become more of a concern.
Speaking of Firefox's momentum, WebSideStory reports Firefox's market share climbed 15% from Jan. 14 to Feb. 18. The browser now has 5.69% of the market, compared with 4.95% in mid-January. Meanwhile, use of non-Firefox Mozilla and Netscape browsers fell to 2.47% from 2.64%. This spells bad news for Opera, which used to have some of Firefox's cache. WebSideStory CEO Jeff Lunsford said he's increasingly pragmatic about Firefox's goal of 10% market share by the end of this year unless Mozilla spends more money on marketing.

Looks like Skype is coming back into the spotlight as lower prices for Internet telephony service are causing some people to wonder whether VOIP will eventualy be free. A story in the International Herald Tribune quotes FCC chairman Michael Powell as saying "he knew it was all over when I downloaded Skype". In conversations I've had with telecom consultants and executives, there is a growing notion that carriers and cablecos will simply bundle voice with other services and it will become indiscernible as a "business". While I'm loathe to dismiss Skype, I increasingly believe features will cause people to pay for Internet telephony as opposed to cheap or free long-distance. The money will be in compelling value-added services that are simple to use. If Vonage and AT&T's CallVantage want to be viable in the long run, they should stop bashing each other over price, and start telling consumers about their cool features.