TyCamTech.com

The majority of us aren't computer experts, internet experts and certainly not security experts. It's for this reason that there are some Firefox extensions out there that help make the internet better, faster and safer. I'd like to share some of my recommendations for the average user. If you are a pro, these may or may not interest you... don't expect to find any web development extensions suggested. If you are not a pro, take a look... these may just save your life!! Ok, not really but they might make life a little easier/safer.

This extension is sometimes avoided because it can be frustrating... it will literally "break" some websites because it won't allow them to do things, like play video. And it's true, having to make a click or two when really it should just show a video can be a pain... but for the security it provides when you hit a page that might otherwise cause malicious harm... I think it's worth it.

What NoScript does is prevent things like Javascript and other scripts on websites from executing. When you hit a website, and all the fancy stuff is supposed to happen, NoScript says "no wait, the user hasn't allowed this to happen yet" via a little prompt at the bottom right corner in your status bar. When that pops up, you click on the "Options" button and choose to allow it, or certain sections of the site to work. Once you do, the page reloads and everything will then work.

Think of it as having a lock on your doo and no one gets in until you see through the peephole and then unlock the door.

2. AdBlock Plus - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

If you haven't heard of this extension yet, you haven't been using Firefox very long or you are not a frequent internet user. This extension helps to get rid of all those pesky advertisements you find on all the websites you visit.

 In one sense, I don't believe in taking away from someone's income, but in another sense, a lot of websites take it way to far and make pages that are 2/3 ads and 1/3 content that I want to see. This will help you to weed all of that out.

3. Xmarks - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410

Ever get a new computer or have to do a reinstall or simply just update Firefox and lose all your bookmarks? XMarks is your answer to that little bit of annoyance. And now, due to recent updates, it will also be the answer to lost passwords!

This extension installs, asks you to register (very simple 4 field form) and synchronize and you're done. All of your bookmarks and your passwords (if you choose) will be stored in their secure databases online for you to synchronize with at any time.

Get a new computer and install XMarks again, login and presto, your bookmarks and passwords are retrieved and it's as if you were still using the same copy of Firefox! Everything is right back where you left it.

4. StumbleUpon - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/138

So you've found a few websites that you like and you realize that it's been a few months (or more) since you're ventured outside of those few websites. But you know there's more to the internet than that, and maybe even some stuff that might interest you... but how to find it?

StumbleUpon is the website, and now extension, that lets you not only stumble your way around the internet but to report cool things you've found for others to stumble upon too. Rate, review and surf and as you do that, StumbleUpon will pick up your interests and likes and begin to suggest more sites that fit into that realm... so you're more likely to find things that you actually want to find.

5. WOT (Web of Trust) - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456

So you have NoScript and AdBlock and you still happen across sites that are quite questionable... they're still out there and they know about NoScript and AdBlock and are finding ways around them. So what to do about those?

WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites - green to go, yellow for caution and red to stop – helping you avoid the dangerous sites