You know that there are many browsers. Some use Google Chrome, while others choose Safari or Internet Explorer. For those of you who prefer Firefox, below you will find some security features and tools that you will do well to use.
Many hackers and developers also choose Firefox, because it gives them capabilities that other browsers do not allow.
But let's see how you can make web-browsing with Firefox more secure. Some of the features come enabled by default in new versions of Firefox, but even if they are, there's nothing to lose by checking them out. Follow these tips to fortify your browser:
Turn on “Do Not Track”
There is a privacy feature in Firefox (and beyond) that tells websites that you don't want to be tracked. This doesn't mean that websites will suddenly start respecting your privacy or honoring your request, but at least your intentions are known. You can hope that some websites will respect your wish.
To enable “Do Not Track”
1. Click on the Firefox menu “Preferences”.
2. Select the “Privacy” Tab.
3. Check the box that says “Do not let websites know my browsing behavior tracking preferences”
Enable the feature to block phishing and malware
Two other security features in Firefox bring built-in protection against phishing and malware. These features check the site you're trying to connect to against a list of known websites and warn you about phishing or malware when you try to connect to a known malicious site. The lists are updated every 30 minutes.
To enable phishing and malware protection:
1. Click on the Firefox menu “Preferences”.
2. Select the “Security” tab.
3. Check the boxes “Block pages reported as malicious” and “Block pages reported as fake”.
The phishing and malware protection feature cannot be considered a substitute for specialized security software, but they act as a second layer of defense for your security.
Install the Noscript Anti-XSS and Anti-Clickjacking add-on
Allowing scripts to run on web pages is a double-edged sword. Scripts are used by site designers to do all sorts of things they need to do, like formatting or adding Google analytics code, adding navigation elements, and more. But scripts can also be used by malware developers and phishers for Clickjacking and cross-site scripting attacks.
The NoScript add-on lets you decide which of the websites you visit are allowed to run scripts. It takes a little time to allow sites you trust to use scripts, but it's worth it.
If you notice that a website doesn't work when you enable the NoScript add-on, it's probably because you forgot to click the "Accept" button for scripts from that website. You can also prevent websites from running scripts if you believe or learn that the site may have been compromised.
To add NoScript to Firefox:
1. Go to Mozilla Add-ons.
2. Search for “noscript” or go directly from here.
3. Click the “Add to Firefox” button to the right of the add-on.
4. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen to install NoScript.
Turn on Pop-up Blocker in Firefox:
If you don't like pop-ups, the pop-up blocker is a feature you should enable. You can always add exceptions for websites that require pop-ups, such as certain online shopping sites or banks.
To enable the pop-up blocker
1. Click on the Firefox menu “Preferences”.
2. Select the “Content” tab
3. Check the “Block Pop-ups” box
