Comodo's legacy
Comodo IceDragon 32-bit is a free web browser developed on the Mozilla Firefox platform for desktops. It integrates Comodo’s modules, including Secure DNS resolution and SiteInspector malware scanning, alongside Firefox’s rendering engine and extension system.
Comodo IceDragon 32-bit was originally distributed as a standalone 32-bit executable retaining compatibility with Firefox plug-ins, themes, and profile structures from the software’s codebase era. Development stagnated after 2019, with the last major release based on Firefox 65. While still downloadable, no active feature or security updates have been issued since its effective discontinuation, leaving the browser reliant on outdated components, unlike modern browsers like Firefox.
Comodo IceDragon 32-bit incorporates Comodo Secure DNS, which redirects domain lookups through Comodo-managed servers. It integrates SiteInspector, a malware analysis tool that checks URLs against Comodo’s remote scanning system and displays the results directly within the browser. These features function as self-contained modules and were distinctive at the time of release. However, both modules now operate within a browser framework that has not received code-level improvements since 2019.
An old browser, new look
It maintained compatibility with Firefox’s extension, theme, and profile management systems, enabling direct transfer of bookmarks, history, and plug-ins from Firefox installations. The browser also continued supporting NPAPI-based plug-ins, which had already been deprecated across major browsers by the time of its last release. While this preserved compatibility with older extensions, it simultaneously exposed the environment to risks associated with legacy plug-in models.
Performance was intended to benefit from Comodo Secure DNS, with claims of faster domain resolution and page load times. Cache handling, extension load, and SiteInspector scans contributed to its heavier memory footprint. The rendering engine and JavaScript interpreter have not been updated, leaving the browser incompatible with some modern web standards and unprotected against known security vulnerabilities. This makes its continued use technically possible but operationally unsafe.
IceDragon's tale
Comodo IceDragon 32-bit is a Firefox-derived browser that incorporates Comodo Secure DNS and SiteInspector scanning as integrated modules. It retained full compatibility with extensions and profile data from its Firefox 65 base, but also carried forward outdated frameworks, including NPAPI plug-in handling. Development stagnated after 2019, and no security updates have been applied, rendering it unsuitable for secure or modern browsing environments.
