Whenever you’re connected to the Internet, there is a chance that you may come across fake popup advertisements, spyware, and malicious web sites. In order to ensure that Internet users are better protected, web browsers often provide their own security features and add-ons.
For Firefox users, take advantage of the Firefox private browsing mode; it does not save your viewing history, passwords, or cookies (which can be used by other people to track you).
To start private browsing in Firefox, select ‘Tools’ and click on ‘Start Private Browsing’.
An alert box will appear. Click ‘Start Private Browsing’ to continue. Tick the box if you do not want to see the alert message again.
There will be a masquerade mask icon showing that you’re in Firefox private browsing mode. During private browsing Firefox, the window title will display (Private Browsing).
To stop private browsing, just hit Ctrl+Shift+P.
For better security, and a better privacy Firefox, we have listed a couple of useful Firefox privacy addons below:
WOT (Web of Trust)
WOT (Web of Trust) warns you about risky websites by displaying a rating icon next to each site in your search results. The ratings are compiled from other users’ experiences and databases of suspicious sites. You can also add your own sites ratings and alter custom settings after registering on the WOT website.
Adblock Plus
If you hate popup advertisements, Adblock Plus is the solution. It provides a safe and annoyance-free Firefox private browsing experience. You can customize its blocking filters according to individual sites.
Panic
Panic is another addon for privacy purposes. By hitting custom-set hotkeys, you can immediately close all your opened tabs and open a pre-set page of your choice. This is to avoid other people checking out your online activities when you’re at work or a public place.
Have you used any of the above Firefox security and privacy addons, what has been your experience ? Do you know of any other security addons for Firefox ?
7 comments
With add-ons (extensions and themes) you can change the appearance of and add functionality to firefox . There are however thousands of addons to choose from .Many people have found add-ons that they like and some people have written about them. For a period of two months we ran a contest to select the best reviews of Firefox add-ons
This is the reason why I love Firefox compared to even Google’s Chrome browser. The security features of Firefox rocks!
This is very helpful! Now, I can have new security and privacy addons in my Firefox browser. I am planning to get one of that WOT. Is it all free? I am excited with this and also, I like the look of private browsing 😀
Something of interest to me. Thanks for sharing Dickey. Would like to find out more about Panic. I really don’t understand it completely how it works. Could you explain it more? One more thing, if i am using Private browsing on FireFox, there still might be anyway one could know about my activities?
Hi Dickey,
Thanks for sharing with us how to enable privacy and security Firefox addons. I will try out WOT right now.
I use a mac. I love it when i get a pop-up made to look like a WINDOWS dialog box…hilarious!
Hi Dickey,
I don’t have any idea that Firefox has all this security and privacy addons. They are just fantastic. Atleast now, I can choose with this addons and have privacy. Thanks!