Hi ford,

looked at all your posts again, you said a lot in a small space, food for thought indeed... So on to Firefox add-ons

1. NoScript. First add-on for firefox, yep can't fault that but as you state, it can and does interfere with functionality of websites. If you wish to sign up, register or even buy something then you have to turn on some if not all of the scripts that are blocked. I think this means If your firewall/AV hasn't stopped an infection,then you infect yourself. How can you tell? (I value your posts so this is an honest question so that I and others may learn from. it's not a case of one one-upmanship, I don't do that) . And no need for flash block? yep again.
   
2. Addblockplus. I think it does what it says on the tin, blocks ads and all known malware sites. I use it and have no bad word to say. I use it with Add block plus pop-up add-on, for no other reason than it's recommended by the same team. Seems to do no harm.
   
3. Better privacy. It’s something I've used but for no reason that I can recall, I've moved to Ghostery, I like the interface. If you have a tech preference between the two, please tell.
   
4. WOT. As you state in your post, It can't give prior warning of infection but if you wish to interact with a website, e.g. register or purchase something, it will give feedback of other peoples experiences. It may save a lot of spam, heartache and/or money. If you have kids, it's another safeguard to add to all the others you should have in place.
   
5. HTTPS Everywhere. Used in conjunction with HTTPS Finder. I don't think you did this but I take on board the shortcomings you mention. I also think you had no time for the sll observatory!
   
6. Key scrambler. This is no longer a Firefox plugin but works across twenty plus browsers. I'm happy to go belt and braces on this one. Paranoia is no bad thing on the web! I see no slow down using it.
   
7. Not Firefox but your comments on spybot teatimer is echoed by a lot of “experts”,I don't use it or recommend it.
   
8. Your Comment on I.E. I opened I.E for the first time is a long time and had a good look around. Yes maybe I.E. has a few things inbuilt but I find it a sterile and contrived environment. What I mean is my Firefox is my Firefox and my add-ons don't make it I.E. One thing of interest I found in I.E was a time for each add-on to load. That would be a nice touch for Firefox. I just do not like the “feel” of I.E. If that makes sense.
   
9. It's not security but it is an add-on, I have found speed dial most useful, I ask anyone out there to give it a try.
   
10. If you have the time, have a look at the CsFire addon, your comments most welcome. And how do you feel about the Avast! Update? I feel I've lost something!
    

Save Browsing,

pitcher

What you've mentioned are extensions, not plugins. Plugins are Flash, Java, etc.

pedantics aside

pitcher, hows it going?

just to add, as you say avast has gone awol! have gone back to avira with product messages disabled. and on one lappy, no real time antiv at all!

noscript is now really only useful when browsing a site if don't need the functionality of the site. most sites now don't function properly at all without script. but is still ok re those third party scripts on a site.

also, don't use wot, key scrambler, adblock plus (but use the adblock tracking protection one in IE), https, etc. and so far no infections. but, alot depends on browsing habits and keeping things like flash (i use activex filtering in IE), pdf, java, uptodate.

in other words as bare bones as can be!

Has firefox got problems or does it not like windows 8? I have always used firefox but since getting this new comp at weekend am having problems with it on windows8 lol it is slow and keep getting not responding, I do not like IE tbh so maybe Chrome?

Has firefox got problems or does it not like windows 8? I have always used firefox but since getting this new comp at weekend am having problems with it on windows8 lol it is slow and keep getting not responding, I do not like IE tbh so maybe Chrome?

Maybe you are using Firefox 32-bit on a 64-bit machine.

oh thanks will have to look

my comp is a 64 bit, only got it at weekend

nice one. ensure then that any software you install is 64 bit compat. edit, just seen that they only do the one download that covers all?

Ford, seems either the comp or windows 8 does not like Firefox, it keeps freezing and get message saying not responding and also slow, specially for games

just seen that they don't actually have an 'official' 64bit version for windows, but they have a 'beta'/nightly build one. but they say the 32 bit works just the same on 64!

check what else could be running to slow things down, eg addons, antivirus, settings, win 8 services/settings (it could be something to do with 8 itself and not the browser), power management, etc

is IE just as slow?

could try fox in 'safe mode', see what happens?

or could try the 'unofficial' 64 bit one?

I do not use IE TBH but o/h has had to use it for Imikimi to make her pictures as IE is only now that works with Imikimi . I may give Chrome a go, not up on all this new fangled stuff lol

try fox in safe mode (ie without addons), turn off phishing/attack/web forgeries site check in tools/options/security, see if any improvements.

or, uninstall your current fox, then give this a try. http://www.firefox64bit.com/ see if it makes any difference. if not just uninstall it and reinstall the other one back and troubleshoot other poss issues.

post back

thank you I will, do I need to install all the bits? I clicked the link and there is more then one to install

just seen that they don't actually have an 'official' 64bit version for windows

It's here:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/tinderbox-builds/mozilla-central-win64/?C=M;O=D

Select the first folder and then either the installer or the .zip file.

thank you I will, do I need to install all the bits? I clicked the link and there is more then one to install

download the recommended 'exe installer' 'official build' download one for windows from link posted in #38. virus scan, then run it.

so bob, how did you get on?

sorry Ford, this is his o/h as he is at work, at the moment it is behaving so fingers crossed but it is does it again will do as you suggested, did notice though that the version in the link is for the US

no worries

it was prob just antivirus updating and doing its scheduled scanning, which does slow things down. (scanning schedule can be changed, or turned off).

us link should be ok?

Hi Ford,

sorry to respond rather late but ill-health does odd things to one! I know you like things “bare bones”, have you had a try of pale moon,it's firefox stripped for speed . The only add-ons I use are Noscript, HTTPS Everywhere, HTTP Nowhere and WOT. Noscript is cool if your just browsing but if you have to interact, WOT gives you an idea if you want to turn scripts on/off, like if it comes up red, I just leave it. Noscript saves a world of pain .You know the odds between HTTP/HTTPS so HTTP Nowhere may be something to look at.

No AV on your lappy? It's as you say, your browsing habits are your best defence.

I still use keyscrambler, there is no slow down so what the ****.

I've just stoped smoking (two months) ,Ifeel like God + !

my best,

pitcher

P.S. Mbam is the best on demand scanner I've ever found, worth a scan if no realtime AV in place.

Safe surfing.

hi pitcher

no worries, health is most import. be well. (i've also stopped the cigs, 10 mths now )

yes, i just use no script with fox (no other addons), it stops ads and controls flash. browsing is quick, and if i need to allow a site its easily done. can't knock it.

yes, i use mbam also, and SAS re on demand. and still using the older version (without the bloat) spybot.

cheers.

re lappy, just trying it without real time a/v seeing how it goes. there's nothing sensitive on it to risk, and is just a browser. if it does happen to get infected beyond fix, will just wipe.

All latest versions of Firefox have a basic built-in pdf reader, but it's not activated by default. To activate it:

• type about:config
  
• Click on "I'll be careful, I promise!"
  
• in the search box type pdfjs
  
• right click on "pdfjs.disabled" and click "Toggle". The value should now be "false".
  

EDIT: Another positive consequence of that (tested only on Linux and Freebsd but should work in Windows too) is that you can also print the page onto a pdf file, just like Google Chrome.

use "Ghostery" plug in to see or limit trackers.