What do Add-ons do?

They add additional features to your browser and allow you to customize your browsing experience.

Firefox has plenty of add-ons, grouped into 14 Categories, available at the Mozilla Add-ons website.

These are my favorites:

• AdblockPlus: To block pesky Ads.

  Note: In order to block ads you will need a free filter subscription, which can be easily added via Filter Preferences. I use Easylist but there are many that you can choose from depending on your needs.

  

• Flagfox: To see where the website I’m visiting is located (see below for example).

  

• NoScript: To prevent javascript from automatically running on websites.

  Note: This add-on is not install and forget about it. It takes some time to configure. The user adds trusted websites to a whitelist and can also temporarily allow sites that need javascript to work properly.

• Cookie Monster: To limit what cookies are stored on my PC because I deny all cookies by default in my Firefox settings.

If you install an add-on and later on decide you don’t want to continue using it, the add-on can easily be removed by clicking the orange Firefox button, and choosing Add-ons (or Ctrl, Shift and the letter A on your keyboard).

On the left side of the window, click Extensions, then click the Remove button for any add-on you wish to uninstall. Firefox will need to restart to complete the removal. You can choose the restart now link or just close Firefox and the add-on will no longer be there when you use Firefox again.

With thousands of add-ons to choose from, I recommend you visit the Mozilla Add-ons website when you’re not short on time.

To upgrade just go to Help, About Firefox and click the Check for Update button. Firefox will download the update and you will be prompted to install the latest version.

If you don’t currently use Firefox and want to see what all the fanfare is about, you can read more (and download it) at the Mozilla Firefox website.

Some changes that I was not crazy about, were easily “fixed” once I knew where to look. Most noticeably missing was the status bar at the bottom of my webpages. This was easily remedied by right-clicking an empty space on my window frame and clicking Add-on Bar to enable the new Addon Bar.

Another thing I wasn’t crazy about was the placement of my “Home” icon. The icon was easily moved to a new location by right-clicking an empty spot at the top of the Firefox Window and choosing Customize. I was then able to freely drag the icon to place it where I wanted it. In addition to moving icons, you can also add to the icons already visible by dragging them from the Customize Toolbar window or delete them by dragging them from the toolbar to the Customize Toolbar window.

Don’t be afraid to upgrade or try it out. If you install it and have issues, there is Help available at the Firefox Support page.

If you don’t see your issue listed, just search for it via the search bar and you will get a listing of matching topics for you to choose from.

Free Antivirus programs no longer offer mediocre protection. Detection rates and cleanup routines have improved considerably. Many free Antivirus programs rank as well as Top-notch paid programs. In today’s economy where every penny saved counts, there are quite a few excellent freeware Antivirus solutions to choose from.

I use Microsoft Security Essentials due to it’s ease of use, high detection rates, scanning speed and light use of computer resources.

The installation is straight forward. After accepting the Software License, you will be given the option of participating in the Customer Experience Improvement Program:

Upon completing the installation, you will have the option of running a quick scan on your system. The first scan will take longer than subsequent scans. My first Scan took approximately 7 minutes. When the scan completes, you will receive a summary of your status and it’s findings:

Microsoft Security Essentials is feature-rich, yet not overwhelming with it’s options:

If your current Antivirus subscription is about to expire or if you’re using an Antivirus program that makes your PC run sluggishly, you now have other options.

Note: If you decide to try a new Antivirus, be sure to download it before uninstalling your “old” Antivirus, but do not attempt to install it until you fully uninstall your current Antivirus (a reboot may be needed).

If you have Windows XP or Vista and you're currently using Internet Explorer 6 or 7, you need to upgrade to 8 without delay.

There is a new vulnerability being exploited that only affects Internet Explorer 6 and 7. With support for those older versions coming to an end, it's important to upgrade to the latest version.

Internet Explorer 8 has many security improvements, including SmartScreen and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Filter.

Besides it's many security enhancements, Internet Explorer 8 is speedier than previous versions. Microsoft lists some of the improvements included in it's latest browser in Windows Internet Explorer 8: Get the facts.

Users of Windows 7 need not worry because Internet Explorer 8 is already installed in that operating system.

Download and install Internet Explorer 8 today.

Keeping track of software updates has become so much easier thanks to FileHippo.com Update Checker . This is a simple program that does it's job beautifully. It scans your computer, then presents a list of all the programs you have installed that have updated versions available for download.

After reading and accepting license agreement, choose which components to install. I recommend you un-check run at startup since there is no need to have this program constantly running in the background. If you'd like a desktop icon, leave it checked otherwise un-check it as well. Start Menu Shortcut should remain checked so that you can find the program via your start menu.

Click Next after choosing which components to install. Leave default location for installation (unless you prefer to install in a different location), then click Install. Once installation is complete, click Close.

When you run FileHippo.com Update Checker, the program begins by downloading the latest update list:

Then it will scan your PC:

and finally, it will list all the programs that currently have an update available to download (your list may differ depending on programs installed):

The only issue I had with FileHippo.com Update Checker was that it listed an update for Windows Live Messenger (which I do not have installed). I have (but don’t use) Windows Messenger which is part of Windows XP. If you get an update notice for Windows Live Messenger and do not use MSN Messenger or Live Messenger to chat, feel free to ignore that update notice.

Take a closer look at Firefox's features and you'll see many improvements and welcome new additions in this newest version.

The updated version can be easily installed by checking for updates via the Help menu:

If you currently don't use Firefox, download the latest version from Mozilla's Firefox Web page.

Adobe Reader & Acrobat:

Adobe Reader and Acrobat suffer from javaScript vulnerabilities that have been patched in version 9.1.1.

Download and install the Adobe Reader 9.1.1 Update as soon as possible.

If you have difficulties downloading from the website or want to install the update in Acrobat, run the update from within the program.

QuickTime:

Apple released a security update for QuickTime that fixes 10 vulnerabilities which can allow code execution. As usual when these types of vulnerabilities are patched it is recommended that you update the software as soon as possible.

Download the latest update via the Automatic Software Update Tool (in Windows) or by downloading from the QuickTime web page.

If you’d like to learn more about the vulnerabilities that are resolved by the update you can read: About the security content of QuickTime 7.6.2

Firefox:

Mozilla has updated Firefox to version 3.0.10. The new version fixes a stability issue and a security vulnerability.

Get the latest version of Firefox from the Mozilla web site or by checking for an update from within Firefox.

Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) is scheduled for May 5 and the final version of Widows 7 is expected to ship during late summer/early fall.

Users currently using Windows Vista will be able to purchase an upgrade version of Windows 7 and upgrade easily to the latest Operating System. Those of us using Windows XP will also be able to purchase upgrade versions of Windows 7 but will have to perform a clean installation (which removes all software and settings prior to installation). There are rumors that a settings transfer program will be provided to help backup settings and programs before performing the upgrade and if they prove to be true, it will make the upgrade process a bit less daunting.

Mozilla News:

Mozilla has recently updated Firefox to 3.0.10. As always, there are various bugs fixed and a security update included with the new version (get it while it's hot).

The next version of Firefox, dubbed Firefox 3.5 is expected to be released sometime during the summer and will have additional speed and security enhancements.

If you currently use Firefox, you'll want to update to version 3.0.8 (just released by Mozilla). This latest version fixes two critical security issues.

Mozilla continues to impress by issuing updates quickly whenever it becomes aware of vulnerabilities in it's browser.

In addition to the two security vulnerabilities, there were also a few bug fixed.

Installing:

1. The easiest way to update Firefox to the latest version is to check for updates via the Help menu:



2. You can download the newest version from the Mozilla Firefox website.

With either method listed above, Firefox will automatically be updated if already installed on your system (no need to uninstall the older version).

Yesterday, Microsoft released the final version of Internet Explorer 8. I previously described some notable IE 8 features in the beta version and want to urge those currently using older versions of Internet Explorer to take the plunge and upgrade to Internet Explorer 8.

Security and performance improvements in this latest version are vast when compared to older versions and the upgrade is simple as can be. Just download Internet Explorer 8 and run set-up. Your settings, favorites and cookies are easily transferred and the improvements are well worth the time it takes to download and install.

What to expect:

Installation begins by asking if you'd like to participate in the Customer Experience Improvement Program (I chose not to participate).

Choosing Next will bring to to the user license screen. Once you click Accept, you will be presented with a window asking if you'd like to install updates. The updates will automatically download while installing Internet Explorer 8 (I recommend you leave it check-marked) and click Next.

Your previous version of Internet Explorer will be removed (don't worry your settings, favorites and cookies are saved).

After finalizing installation, you will need to reboot.

Once you click re-start now and your PC re-starts, IE will download updates and check for malicious software. Then it will continue with installation and once finished, it will automatically re-boot your system.

The first time you open Internet Explorer after installation, you will be greeted with a welcome screen that will walk you through personalizing your settings.

In the following screen you will be asked if you'd like to turn on Suggested Sites (I chose No).

Next, you will choose if you'd like to use Express Setting or would like to customize your settings (I chose Custom Settings).

Note: If you choose Express Settings, the screens that follow will not be presented to you.

Choose if you'd like to continue using your default search provider or if you'd like to choose from a list of search providers (after set-up is complete).

You can also have your search provider updated (your search provider is not changed, only updated to use the latest technology).

You can then choose to use the current Accelerators provided with IE 8, add new ones or turn them off altogether.

Additionally, you can activate the Smart Screen Filter (recommended).

I chose not to keep IE 8 as my default browser because I use Firefox as my primary browser. If you want to have IE automatically open when clicking on a link (not another browser), you'll have to choose Yes. If you prefer to use a different browser, choose No.

Finally, you'll have to decide whether to allow the automatic updating of Compatibility View websites (I chose No because I prefer to keep my own compatibility view website list).

After performing the above steps, you'll be ready to surf the Internet using the new and much improved, Internet Explorer 8.

Visit the Internet Explorer Home Page to download or read more about it's latest features and improvements. Don't be afraid to try it. If you install it and later decide not to keep it, it can easily be uninstalled via Windows Add and Remove Programs (your previous version of Internet Explorer will be restored).