The programs that you mention likely have a plugin for Firefox, so you do not need to take action other than to check on "Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Plugins" if the plugin in detected and set to "Ask to Activate" or "Always Activate"

Your System Details List shows these among others:

1. Next Generation Java Plug-in 10.55.2 for Mozilla browsers
2. iTunes Detector Plug-in
3. 5.1.30214.0 (Silverlight)
4. Picasa plugin
5. Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 11.0.06

You are only missing the Shockwave Flash plugin for Firefox.

Firefox uses a different (NPAPI) Flash plugin than IE (ActiveX), so make sure to install the Flash Player plugin for Firefox.

You can find links to the latest Shockwave Flash player on this page:

• http://www.adobe.com/special/products/flashplayer/fp_distribution3.html

In case you have problems with Flash, see Troubleshooting:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Flash

Thanks very much.

Can you tell me about virus protection and firewalls on Firefox? Can I still use Microsoft Security Essentials? Does Firefox provide net security?

Thanks Carol

Hi Carol,

To answer, (cor-el will most likely add his own information) Firefox doesn't come with any pre-installed antivirus as Firefox isn't a antivirus program. Microsoft Security Essentials protects the entire system and your web browsers. You may encounter a ton of ads whilst browsing so I always use Adblock Plus. Blocks a boat load of ads.

• http://adblockplus.org

Thank you very much. I have a much better sense of where I'm starting.

See also:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Browsing+basics
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Tabbed+browsing

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Keyboard+shortcuts
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Mouse+shortcuts

Firefox doesn't come with anti-virus or firewall software, but will use what is already installed on the computer and is enabled in the Windows Control Panel > Security Center.

See also:

• http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/