Extensions
I've been a Mozilla/Firefox user for a long while. Every few months an updated version or additional features are added. At the same time other companies have offered features which seem to me to be worthwhile addition/protections. I now have Facebook Container, AdBlock Plus, Ghostery, Enhancer for YouTube, Safer Search, Ad Observer, HTTPS Everywhere and Track Me Not running. Considering what Mozilla/Firefox provide as part of their platform, do I need any of these? Are they redundant at best or dangerous at worse? At 73, it's easy to believe.
Thanks for any advice. It is most appreciated.
الحل المُختار
Hi mlgoodman2,
The link you've provided is a guide to staying safe on the web.
Perhaps a screenshot of what you're seeing might be better.
In order to better assist you with your issue please provide us with a screenshot. If you need help to create a screenshot, please see How do I create a screenshot of my problem?
Once you've done this, attach the saved screenshot file to your forum post by clicking the Browse... button below the Post your reply box. This will help us to visualize the problem.
Thank you!
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (4)
Facebook Container - a Mozilla-built extension. Great for privacy if you use Facebook.
AdBlock Plus and Ghostery - good to prevent trackers and block ads from displaying. May not be necessary to have both installed but they get the job done. An alternative would be uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger instead.
Enhancer for YouTube - great tools and features, especially if you use YouTube quite a bit.
Safer Search - not sure what this is. Can you provide a link to it?
Ad Observer - if it is this, then it is not necessary. You may want to do some research into it and see if it's something you want to keep installed.
HTTPS Everywhere - great extension to ensure you're visiting the encrypted version of websites.
Track Me Not - not completely necessary. Again, I leave it up to you to do some research on it and decide if you would like to keep it.
If you want to be on the safe side, Mozilla has a Recommended Extensions program where extensions that are recommended have been vetted and had its code reviewed. As far as it goes, Facebook Container, Ghostery, Enhancer for YouTube and HTTPS Everywhere are extensions part of the Recommended Extensions program. The suggestions I made the extensions, uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger, are also recommended extensions.
You can also use the Tips for assessing the safety of an extension guide to review the extensions you have installed.
Another extension you can look into installing is Privacy Possum.
Cross-referencing from a new question:
mlgoodman2 said
In reply to my query about extensions, which was expertly answered by Andrew, he said: Safer Search - not sure what this is. Can you provide a link to it? Here it is: https://safety.yahoo.com/SafetyGuides/Search/index.htm Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it
الحل المُختار
Hi mlgoodman2,
The link you've provided is a guide to staying safe on the web.
Perhaps a screenshot of what you're seeing might be better.
In order to better assist you with your issue please provide us with a screenshot. If you need help to create a screenshot, please see How do I create a screenshot of my problem?
Once you've done this, attach the saved screenshot file to your forum post by clicking the Browse... button below the Post your reply box. This will help us to visualize the problem.
Thank you!
As I now understand, Safer Search is not an extension but is Yahoo's attempt to provide some additional security. I have implement every suggestion. Thank you so very much. In the future I will feel more comfortable reaching out about matters I don't understand. I have contributed to your efforts previously and I will continue to do so going forward. Best regards and stay safe and be well.