How to Switch to Firefox and Why You should

First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser. Ok but what's that? A browser is a computer program used to view web pages, to browse through the world wide web. In fact you are reading this article with a browser at the moment. Browsers are very useful. For a start, they can remember what pages you have looked at, you can even store your favourite pages as Bookmarks. Browsers can do much more depending on which one you have.

Firefox is a free browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation. The Mozilla Foundation develops open source software. Another excellent application is Thunderbird, an email program.

More than likely you are using Internet Explorer to view this webpage. This browser is part of Microsoft Windows operating system. To check which browser you are using:

  • Click on the Help in your browsers menu bar. (It's the last option on the right hand side, after File, Edit?)
  • Click on the last option in the menu that appears.

    • If it says Microsoft Internet Explorer® then you have the browser that between 80% and 90% (depending on who you talk to) use.

    So why change?

    Security: Most experts agree that you are less likely to be the subject of a malicious attack by "hackers" if you use Firefox than if you use Internet Explorer.

    Firefox Extensions: There is a whole array of quick and easy to install extensions available for Firefox. Extensions add functionality to your browser. They are a bit like the added extras that you get with your car (except they're free!). Everything from Ad blockers to your local weather forecast.

    Tabbed browsing: Instead of opening your browser more than once to view more than one page at a time, which can slow down your computer, tabbed browsing allows you to open many web pages, in tabs, in only one browser.

    So how do you get the Firefox browser?

  • Click on this link to go to the Firefox download page.

  • In the top right corner of the page is a green area with a link to the free download.

  • When the dialog box appears, click save.

  • Select a location to download the file to.

  • The file should start downloading to the location you selected.

  • When the file has finished downloading, (it should be called something like Firefox Setup 1.0.5.exe) double click on it to open it.

  • If you have Windows XP service pack 2 is installed, a dialog box may appear. Select execute.

  • After Firefox has extracted, click next.

  • Click on the radio button beside 'I accept the terms of the License Agreement' and then click on the next button.

  • The standard installation is fine so just click on the next button.

  • This screen just confirms the location that Firefox is to installed, so just click on the next button again.

  • Click Finish to complete the installation and launch Firefox.

    • Congratulations! You have now installed Firefox. When Firefox starts the first time it will ask if you want to set Firefox as your default browser. Select yes.

    One last thing. Under no circumstances remove Internet Explorer from your system. Firefox is a better browser but Internet Explorer is used by your computer for other things than browsing the web.

    Aonghus Flynn is an Irish web developer specialising in Flash development. Aonghus has over 7 years experience in the IT industry as a developer and a trainer. You can reach him at http://www.aonghusflynn.com

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Cache In Your Chips And Get A Bus!

    Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More

    Healthy Webmasters Choose Ergonomic Computer Products

    Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More

    How to Buy a Plasma Television Set

    Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More

    Your Home is in Your Hands

    I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

    Use Your Computer For Your Entertainment Needs

    By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More

    System File Checker - A Maintenance Utility

    System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More

    Computer Viruses are Bad Luck

    OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More

    Cisco CCNA / CCNP Certification: OSPF ASBRs Explained And Illustrated

    When I first started studying for my CCNP, some of... Read More

    How to Switch to Firefox and Why You should

    First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More

    Keeping the Windows Registry Operational

    The registry is where the computer stores information about the... Read More

    Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack?

    After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More

    Taking Advantage of the iPod Experience

    Music lovers have been carrying around radios and other bulky... Read More

    Troubleshooting Computer Freeze (Lockup) Problems

    How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More

    Top 9 Ways To Speed Up Your Surfing & Computing

    It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More

    MCSE 70-290 Certification Primer

    Microsoft Certifications are one of the most widely acclaimed, pursued,... Read More

    How to Set Up Simple File Sharing WinXP

    The first step is: Start > My DocumentsSo you have... Read More

    Portable DVD Players - Things To Know

    In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More

    How To Increase Computer Speed And Performance - Great Tips & Tricks

    Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More

    Bios Term

    BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More

    Favorite Things To Do With Home Technology

    Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More

    What are the Main Components of Any Computer, and Which are the Most Critical to Its Performance?

    Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More

    Windows Task Manager in English

    You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More

    Image Formats: GIF, JPEG, BMP

    When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More

    Some Thoughts on Choosing a Flash MP3 Player

    Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More

    Bluetooth Technology: Tips for Buying Headsets or Headphones

    The technological horizon has always got something new to offer,... Read More

    Back Up, Back Up, Back Up!

    This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More

    Do Higher Digital Camera Prices Mean Better Cameras?

    Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More

    Review of Rio MP3 Players

    Below you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More

    10 Time Saving Keyboard Shortcuts

    Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More

    Put Order and Information into File Names

    Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More

    SmartCar Memory Stick for LapTop Transfer Data

    With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More

    Got Virus?

    GOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More

    Have You Invited A Spy Into Your Computer?

    Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More