From the release of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Firefox and Firefox-Locale debacks will Replacements on plug , installing the SNAP package with Firefox. The ability to install a classic package in DEB format will also be discontinued and users will be forced to use either the proposed package in SNAP format, or download the assembly directly from the Mozilla site. For the Deb package users, a transparent transition process to SNAP via the update is published, which will install the SNAP package and takes the current settings from the user’s home directory.
Recall that in the Ubuntu Autumn Release 21.10, the Firefox browser has been translated by default for the supply in the form of a SNAP packet, but the ability to install the Deb package was saved and remained available in the form form. Since 2019, the Chromium browser is also supplied only in SNAP format. Accompanied by the SNAP package with Firefox, employees of Mozilla take part.
As the reasons for the promotion of SNAP format for browsers, there is a desire to simplify support and unify the development for different versions of Ubuntu – the DEB package requires separate accompaniment For all supported Ubuntu branches and, accordingly, assembling and testing taking into account different versions of system components, and the SNAP package can be formed immediately for all Ubuntu branches. One of the important requirements for the supply of browsers in distributions is the need for prompt delivery of updates for timely blocking of vulnerabilities. Supply in SNAP format will speed up bringing new versions of the browser to Ubuntu users. In addition, the SNAP browser delivery allows you to run Firefox in an additional insulated environment created using the AppARMOR mechanism, which will increase the protection of the rest of the system from the operation of vulnerabilities in the browser.
Minus SNAP application is the difficulty of monitoring the community over the development of packages and a binding to additional tools and third-party infrastructure. The SNAPD process is performed in the ROOT system and creates additional threats in the event of a compromise infrastructure or identifying vulnerabilities. The disadvantage is also the need to solve Problems Snap-specific Snap format ( Do it work some updates, Flamelessness when using Wayland, There are Problems with a guest session, there are Difficulties with the launch of external handlers).