Firefox
Firefox is the default web browser for Ubuntu MATE. Firefox is also available for Windows. macOS, and Android devices. If you are looking at this website then you probably are comfortable with using a web browser. I will not spend a lot of time covering Firefox.
Privacy: Firefox doesn’t sell access to your personal information like the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. If you live in the United States, then you are probably aware that Congress dismantled a major law that protected your/our online privacy. Your Internet provider can now sell your Internet history to anyone. If you have minors or kids that use your Internet, this could become very frightening. I am not trying to scare anyone off the Internet, but to change the way you think about using it. To be more educated at protecting your information as much as possible.
When searching the Internet make sure you’re browsing websites using HTTPS instead of the default HTTP. Internet Sevice Providers can detect only which website you’re on, but not which specific page you’re visiting. Installing the extension HTTPS Everywhere makes sure that when you connect to websites that have HTTPS, it’s used by default. Also use encrypted messengers if you use online messengers to protect your information. I could explain more about protecting your privacy online; however, this page is focused on the topic of Firefox.
When searching the Internet make sure you’re browsing websites using HTTPS instead of the default HTTP. Internet Sevice Providers can detect only which website you’re on, but not which specific page you’re visiting. Installing the extension HTTPS Everywhere makes sure that when you connect to websites that have HTTPS, it’s used by default. Also use encrypted messengers if you use online messengers to protect your information. I could explain more about protecting your privacy online; however, this page is focused on the topic of Firefox.
When you use Firefox for the first time in Ubuntu MATE it will look like the image below. You probably would like a different start page or homepage when you first start your browser. You may even want Google.com as your homepage, but without the Ubuntu logo.
I like to place the menu bar at the top of my browser. To do this you need to right-click the dark area at the top of your browser. In the pop-up box click on Menu Bar.
You now have the menu bar at the top of your browser. I like the menu bar because I can navigate my way around the browser's settings without taking my hand off my mouse.
To change your homepage in Firefox click on the Edit menu and then click on Preferences.
Make sure the General tab is selected on the left. Type a new website or URL in the Home Page section and then restart Firefox.
Since I typed in Google.com it now became my new Home Page or Start Page.
Firefox Add-ons
Below are some add-ons that I recommend installing in Firefox.
1. HTTPS Everywhere - "Encrypt the web! HTTPS Everywhere is a Firefox extension to protect your
communications by enabling HTTPS encryption automatically on sites that are known to support it,
even when you type URLs or follow links that omit the https: prefix."
communications by enabling HTTPS encryption automatically on sites that are known to support it,
even when you type URLs or follow links that omit the https: prefix."
2. Adguard AdBlocker - "Unmatched adblock extension against advertising and pop-ups. Blocks ads on
Facebook, Youtube and all other websites."
Facebook, Youtube and all other websites."
3. Awesome Screenshot Plus - "Capture the whole page or any portion, annotate it with rectangles, circles,
arrows, lines and text, blur sensitive info, one-click upload to share. And more!"
arrows, lines and text, blur sensitive info, one-click upload to share. And more!"
4. YouTube High Definition - "YouTube High Definition is a powerful tool that will let you automatically play
all YouTube videos in HD (High Definition), turn off annotations, change video player size, auto stop
videos, auto mute videos, control embedded videos and much more."
all YouTube videos in HD (High Definition), turn off annotations, change video player size, auto stop
videos, auto mute videos, control embedded videos and much more."
5. Flash Video Downloader - "Flash Video Downloader helps you download any video (flv, mp4, HD) from
YouTube, Facebook, Break, Metacafe and more in one click. You can download mp3, music (iPod), avi and
more. Download Flash games. Download Helper. 4K download."
YouTube, Facebook, Break, Metacafe and more in one click. You can download mp3, music (iPod), avi and
more. Download Flash games. Download Helper. 4K download."
6. 1-Click YouTube Video Download - "The simplest YouTube Video Downloader for all YouTube Flash sites,
period."
period."
7. Office-Online - "A basic office online addon."
8. Web of Trust (WOT) - Instantly know which websites to trust! WOT protects you while you browse, warning
you against dangerous sites that host malware, phishing, and more.
you against dangerous sites that host malware, phishing, and more.
9. Spell Checker - Checks the (whole) web page (and not the text inside edit box) for spelling mistakes and
highlights it.
highlights it.
10. Gmail™ Notifier + - Gmail™ Notifier Plus alerts you of new email messages. Users can also read or reply to
emails, delete or mark them as read, all without having to open a new window.
emails, delete or mark them as read, all without having to open a new window.
