Posibility for spoofing operating system

[Kiotrw25]

Does this feature already exist in Firefox Stable?

I'm not sure

Does this feature already exist in Firefox ESR?

I don't know

Feature description

Possibility for spoofing operating system to become less unique if using less popular OS.

This also would prevent users from installing extensions that does this which might introduce security/privacy issues. It will also prevent mullvad browser being used in a not so great working state if using bad extensions. From my understanding this is something you guys already want to avoid since some settings are locked in both the browser and vpn.

It could be in browser setting or even a extension, what ever would work best. Should be able to turn off or on, off by default. Spoof to windows by default as it is the most popular os world wide, or have option to set your browser os in anyway to spoof to any os you want.

Off on possibility removes any problems with convenience like downloading some proprietary software that don't have a download page where you can select which package you want, this could be some small issues. Pretty sure convenience would be used to argue against this suggestion or not. Sometimes you would want to download software not for your OS so it would work in convenience both ways if example using linux.

This suggestion is more important for Linux/MacOS users.

As a tiny comment, surprised this isn't a thing already. Thanks for considering if that is done.

Alternatives considered

Not at this time

Is this related to a problem?

Fingerprint. Making users of minority os more unique.

Windows 69.37% market share.
Linux 3.07% market share.
MacOS 4.85% market share.

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide

[Thorin-Oakenpants]

No. You cannot hide your platform (as in Windows, Android, Linux, Mac). Any platform lies will only result in adversarial and compat/usability issues for no gain - in fact, adding it as an option for users harms fingerprinting because it is now a binary outcome based on user choice - in other words, in your misguided quest to make Linux/Mac users less fingerprintable, you have achieved the opposite. Users on Linux/Mac who choose to report they are Windows, leave those who choose not to in a even smaller minority (to use your words) and also leave themselves as different (i.e you splintered your minority into two smaller groups)

This also would prevent users from installing extensions

The extensions UI is meant to have an upgrade at some point with warnings not to install; extensions, and to badge those with all site permissions and those with web-accessible contents etc - it's only been 2+ years so far, so don't hold your breath

[Kiotrw25]

@Thorin-Oakenpants
I didn't see those ways before.

Another question that could be asked then is, is there enough Linux users using Mullvad that it would make much difference.

By having an option like that from my understanding now do seem damaging for building mullvad userbase even.
Maybe i don't understand all, do think i get the idea behind it tho.

Thanks for your input!

Suppose this can be closed then.

[WWelna]

@Kiotrw25
I see they're doing the absurd round-about like they've been doing with the tor browser, I won't be using this for the same reasons. Since more people are moving to Linux due to privacy issues with windows, should get pretty amusing.

Not going to write out an extensive tutorial but I run a qemu VM with various networking magic and firewalls to isolate (I use tor and mullvad) with snapshots to rollback. You can be whatever you want to be and mitigate potential exploits, if you really need that kind of thing. Being a Linux user is very small, and hence noticeable, but nobody seems to care about that for some reason who claim they're really into this privacy stuff.