This post is part of the Privacy Tools series that we will have on this network. And this post's focus will be about the Firefox Web Browser.
What allows us to have Privacy Tools in Firefox is what it calls Browser Add-ons. What exactly is an add-on?
As the name implies, it allows us to add on a functionality to the Firefox Browser that it doesn't currently have. In Mozilla Firefox's own words, it is so that "It’s easier than ever to personalize Firefox and make it work the way you do." And that is exactly what we will be doing to add an additional Privacy layer to Firefox.
Important: Do not install from unofficial sources. Do not install from someone's pre-downloaded copy of the tools listed below.
Very Important: Install only using the link from official project page or the browser's add-ons page. Understand that while we can provide you direct link to the installer itself, it is simply bad practice from a safety or security standpoint. These tools will be updated as time progresses and links will eventually be outdated. Using the latest versions of the tools from official sources adds to your Internet Safety usage habits.
Add-ons
- HTTPS Everywhere
The specific problem that this add-on solves is when "the web offer some limited support for encryption over HTTPS, but make it difficult to use. For instance, they may default to unencrypted HTTP, or fill encrypted pages with links that go back to the unencrypted site. The HTTPS Everywhere extension fixes these problems by using clever technology to rewrite requests to these sites to HTTPS."
- uBlock Origin
Straight from its page, "uBlock Origin (or uBlock₀) is not an ad blocker; it's a general-purpose blocker. uBlock₀ blocks ads through its support of the Adblock Plus filter syntax. uBlock₀ extends the syntax and is designed to work with custom rules and filters. Furthermore, advanced mode allows uBlock₀ to work in default-deny mode, which mode will cause all 3rd-party network requests to be blocked by default, unless allowed by the user."
- NoScript
Taken directly from NoScript's project page. It describes itself as "The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice"
How-To Install Add-ons
Visit the Official Add-on's Website or the Firefox Add-ons Page.
Click on "Add to Firefox"
Click on "Install"
If a similar prompt is presented below, Click on "Restart Now" to immediately utilize the Add-on.
What about other browsers?
Visit our write-up for other recommended browsers if you would like to know about Privacy Tools about them. The post is tagged or labelled under Privacy Tools. In general though, the installation process is very much the similar.
The very important aspect is learning that there are tools that you could and should use that contributes to Internet Safety.
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