PC World > Feature

Apple Releases Safari 5.01

The browser's new "extensions" are varied, numerous, and easy to add.

By Ian Paul / Thursday, July 29 2010

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Apple has released Safari 5.01 for Mac and PC that lets you add third-party extensions to the browser such as e-mail alert widgets and news alerts.

Safari users can now add extra functionality to their browser through the Safari Extensions Gallery at extensions.apple.com or from individual developer's websites. Safari Extensions were announced when Apple launched Safari 5 in June.
 
Safari's addition of extensions brings it in line with browsers like Firefox and Chrome that also offer third-party add-ons to enhance your browsing experience. Internet Explorer also supports extensions, but they aren't nearly as popular as those found in Chrome and Firefox. Similar to Chrome, Safari's extensions will update in the background, and Apple says you won't need to restart your browser to complete installation for third-party extensions.

Security

Apple said it digitally signs all third-party Safari extensions to prevent tampering, and also to ensure that extension updates come from the original third-party developer. The company did not specify whether it is putting Safari extensions through an approval process similar to iPhone applications.

Apple was also careful to point out that all extensions will be sandboxed, meaning the extensions won't have access to your computer system. Safari extensions also won't be able to communicate directly with websites, except for those sites specified by the developer. Sandboxing is likely welcome news for Mac OS X users, after it was recently discovered that hackers could use Safari's AutoFill feature to steal sensitive information from a user's Apple Address Book.