Securing Your Internet Browser: A guide to browser choices and settings.
LHaving a great internet browser not only makes browsing easier, but also safer. Depending on the operating system your home computer uses there are a number of secure and functional browsers to choose from. These open-source browsers are free, and when configured correctly provide the ultimate safe internet surfing experience.
If you’re like most computer users you probably have a home PC running the windows operating system, and when you purchased your computer it most likely came preinstalled with Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. While Microsoft products have long been the mainstay of consumer computers there is little you can do to customize or secure the Explorer browser. Luckily, there are two open-source Internet browsers that allow easier web surfing, provide increased security, and are free.
The original open-source browser project was started by Netscape in 1998 and was named Mozilla. One of their original goals was to create a browser that could compete with Internet Explorer. They accomplished this by opening the Netscape software code to the public (mostly software developers wishing to help build a top-notch browser). In 2000 Mozilla released its first usable browser. Since that time, thousands of developers have worked together to create Firefox, the Mozilla web browser.
The simple steps to downloading and effectively using the Firefox browser are below.
1. Log on to www.mozilla.com.
2. In the middle of the Mozilla page there will be a “Download Firefox” button. Click on the button.
3. Save the Mozilla setup file to your computers desktop.
4. When the Mozilla setup file has been installed find the Firefox icon on your desktop and double-click it. A window should open, click “run.”
5. The Firefox setup menu will open. Follow the directions in the setup menu to finish installing Firefox. (Be sure to read the licensing agreement).
6. Click the box for standard installation. When installation is complete click finish, Firefox should open a new window. Now you’re browsing the internet through Firefox!
7. When Firefox has opened click on “Tools,” and under that “Options.”
8. Under the “General” tab set your Home Page, (MetroInfo, Google, Yahoo!, etc.)
9. Next, move to the privacy tab.
a. History, for optimum performance set the history to 1 or 0 days. Under this tab you can also clear the history.
b. Saved Forms, uncheck this box and keep your personal information safe in your head.
c. Passwords, uncheck this box.
d. Download History, remove files from the Download manager, “Upon successful download.”
e. Cookies, allow sites to set cookies, but only keep cookies until you close Firefox.
f. Cache, use up to 0MB of space for cache. This will free up space on your computer and provide better overall performance. Also, below “Clear Cache Memory” is the settings menu for clearing your private data. Select all boxes. This will clear all your private information upon your exiting Firefox.
10. Under content select the option to block popup windows.
11. Click OK. Your Firefox browser is now configured to allow safe, secure, and optimum browsing.
Customizing you Firefox browser’s toolbar is easy too. Click on “View”, then “Toolbars.” At the bottom of the box click on “Customize.” From here you can add or remove items from the toolbar by dragging them with your mouse.
Even though Firefox provides a top of the line Internet browser, some web applications including some online banking services may only work on Internet Explorer. If this is the case it’s best to configure Internet Explorer in a safe way for dependent application use, and to utilize Firefox for other browsing. Tips for configuring Explorer can be found below.
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