Linux Linux help

Web Browsers

Firefox

1. I get debug messages, how do I turn them off?

Open Firefox, in the address line enter about:config to see the advanced configuration options. Enter debug in the Search box and here you can turn off various debug options e.g. devtools.debugger.enabled.

2. I do not wish to have Firefox on my desktop, how do I remove it?

By default the icon is not shown, if an icon is shown you can just delete it.

3. How do I change the default home page?

Open Edit, Preferences and on the General tab, change the Home Page url to the web page of your choice.

General

In Chrome or Chromium, select Settings from menu, then click on On Start-up option and select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.

4. How can I reduce the number of Cookies saved on my PC?

In Firefox, you need to increase the Security level for cookies under Privacy in the Preferences. Select use Custom settings for cookies, then click on Exceptions. You may add sites manually that require a lower setting. Enter a web address and click Allow or click Block to block specific sites.

Privacy

In Chrome or Chromium, select Settings and then Privacy and Security. change the Cookies level to either 'Block third-party cookes in Incognito' or 'Block third-party cookies' or 'Block alll cookies'.

5. Where can I update my version of Firefox or other browsers?

Firefox is now the default Browser for Linux. You can download updates for it via Update Manager to get the latest version.

6. Where can I download other web browsers?

If you do not like Firefox, try other browsers such as Opera, Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Midori, Epiphany, Arora etc. from Software Manager.

7. I am unable to view web pages, they are not found or blocked?

Check settings in Preferences and check the Security settings. If you have a firewall program installed, then check that your browser is allowed access to the internet, and re-check other settings. You need ports 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS) and possibly 21 (FTP) enabled. Also, make sure your connection is active (use ping to check a web site address or gateway address) and use ifconfig to check that you have the correct IP and DNS addresses set up. Sometimes re-dialling your ISP or rebooting your ADSL Modem may help.

8. What ís the difference between JavaScript and Java?

These are two entirely different scripting languages. Javascript is a client-side programming language to provide dynamic web content such as login scripts, check to see what browser you have, picture changes and so on. Most browsers has Javascript built in, for client side scripting. If you look at the html source, you may find code that start with <SCRIPT language="JavaScript">.
Java, is a platform independant programming language by Oracle, and runs programs called applets which runs a Java program called a .class file within a web page, if you look at html source, you may find an entry that looks like: <APPLET CODE="program.class">. Java programs are written using a Java Development Kit. A free version is available called OpenJDK.

9. How do I clear out the list of web sites I have visited?

Select the History menu and select Clear Recent History.

10. How do I enable or disable the auto-storage of username, passwords and other user information?

Open Preferences, click on the Security tab and disable 'Remember passwords for sites'.

11. What is a Proxy and where do I change the settings to point to my proxy server?

A Proxy server is a server used to cache web content from web sites visited by users, this improves performance for users as it cuts down traffic to or from the internet when common web sites are accessed. You need to specify the Hostname or address and Port of the proxy server in Preferences, Advanced, Network, Settings. Unix servers tend to use a proxy server called Squid or a modern firewall e.g. Palo Alto.

12. How do I know what plugins or addons are installed?

With Firefox, there is a Add-ons option on the Tools menu which lists installed plugins and Extensions. Here you can Enable or Disable any installed plugins.
In Chrome or Edge, you can select Extensions to manage addition extensions to add to your browser.
Click on Get Add-ons to look for new or updated add-ons for Firefox.

18. How do I turn off pop up windows in Firefox?

In Preferences, click on the Content tab and disable the option 'Block popup windows'.

19. What is Phishing and how do I enable or disable it?

Thieves and fraudsters tend to create fake websites which emulate banks, building societies, auction sites and so on which ask for your personal details and use that information to get your identity and thus use it to steal information, money or goods on the internet. Phishing detection should be left on to detect such sites and block them automatically.
To turn it on or off, go to Preferences, Security and enable or disable the options 'Block reported attack sites' and 'Block reported web forgeries'.
You can report suspect sites to Google via their Fraud Report page.

Security


20. How do I change the default download directory?

Open Edit, Preferences, click on the General tab and you can change the default down location which points to your Downloads folder in your home directory.

21. What keyboard shortcuts can I use in Firefox?

Shortcut Description
F1 Help
Ctrl+T New tab
Ctrl+N New Windows
Ctrl+Shift+P Private window
Ctrl+S Save page
Ctrl+P Print page
Ctrl+Q Quit
Ctrl+A Select all
Ctrl+F Find
F11 Full screen
Ctrl+Shift+H Show history
Ctrl+Shift+Delete Delete history
Ctrl+Shift+O Show bookmarks
Ctrl+D Bookmark page
Ctrl+Shift+Y Show downloads
Ctrl+Shift+A Show add-ons
Ctrl+I Page info

22. How do I make Firefox the default browser?

Open Edit, Preferences. Click on the Advanced tab and click on the Make Firefox the Default brower button.

Performance