Firefox's continued existence is important, since it's the only browser with any sort of clout that isn't owned and operated by a major tech company. Chrome, which is controlled by Google, has more than 50 percent of the desktop browsing market in the most recent figures pushed out by StatCounter. Microsoft's Internet Explorer may have dwindled in influence, but it's still neck-and-neck with Firefox for that coveted second spot with roughly 15 percent of the market. Rounding out that top five is Safari, made by Apple, while the only other independent on the list, Opera, has less than two percent of the market.

Of course, Mozilla's claims that its future is secure, but we do feel compelled to raise a wary eyebrow at the sentiment. After all, Yahoo is rapidly becoming an also-ran as it struggles to reinvent itself and remain relevant in the face of Google. Even worse, is that some of Yahoo's search queries are now being provided by Google, so the folks in Mountain View are still getting access to Firefox's users, they just don't have to pay for the privilege any more.