Browsers??

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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Right now I am using Google Chrome. Having some funky happenings and was thinking of changing browsers. So question is what is a good reliable browser these days?? How hard is it to switch browsers?? Had IE. Thanks.

Lately I have been going to some sites and my computer is not allowing me to view it. Also some sites I can not see photos within that site. Is this a browser problem??


Is it a good idea to leave third party browser extensions box clicked as yes or should I disable this?? What would happen if I do disable?? Do I lose anything??
 
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John

Chrome and Firefox are both good. I use both but have Firefox as my default. I also have Opera (a browser that is popular in Europe), IE and Edge but I rarely use them. Chrome and Firefox are easy to install - go to their web site, click download and install, and then look for the Windoze option to declare one to be your default browser.

That said, you mentioned two things - that you are unable to reach some sites, and that pictures are being blocked. Re the first - are the sites simply not responding? If so, that could be a problem that is beyond your control. But if you are getting a message that the site is being blocked, then that could suggest that you have a security application on your computer that sees those sites as potentially dangerous - I presume you have Norton or McAfee, but there are also security functions embedded in Windoze, and I think Google has something also. Most likely, the issue is that the sites you want to visit have been reported as sources of malware, but it is also possible that you have inadvertently triggered some kind of 'parental watch' function in your security software that is blocking those sites.

The issue with pictures could be either a problem with the sites you are visiting, or it could represent an issue with your computer. I find that with both Firefox and Chrome, it is possible to get multiple instances of the browser running at the same time and that leads to sluggish operation. The solution is to use the Task Manager to completely shut down the browser, and then restart. And often, when that happens, the restart triggers installation of a new version of the browser.

Finally, I normally leave my computer running continuously, but find that it is a good idea to do a full restart about once a week. The same thing is true with cell phones.
 
When the computer doesn't allow you to see a site, what specific message are you getting? Most browsers now will block sites with an invalid certificate. When you visit a site that starts with "https" the traffic between your browser and the site is encrypted so that nobody else can see it. The certificate is a key that's needed to make that work. If the certificate is invalid then your traffic won't be encrypted, even though it says "https".

You can easily download Firefox and try it without making it your default browser. If it blocks the same site, then avoid that site.

As for your extensions, they probably aren't blocking the site - although some ad blockers will prevent you from following links that track you. There are some great extensions, but there are also some real garbage ones. Usually the garbage ones aren't going to simply prevent you from visiting a site, so if they are blocking it may be something like an ad blocker trying to protect you.
 
I'm just going to throw this out there - I use VPN, and some sites (Berea Hardwoods, Menards, sometimes Netflix) won't load unless I turn off my VPN. Pretty irritating. Regarding browsers, my default is Chrome. My wife uses Firefox, which she has occasional issues with, but not too many.
 
Are you using Windows 10? Edge should be the default browser there. If you want to stick with a Microsoft browser, Edge is the way to go. IE is not going to be supported or updated going forward. If you are using an older version of WIndows, that could be the problem as many browsers will not update on anything before 10 and, of course, an outdated browser won't always handle newer HTML, Java, etc., coding on pages.

I've used Chrome for years now. Gave up on Firefox due to it just being too slow. Maybe it's improved over those years? I'd like to hope so. Chrome has done a lot of updates lately. Make sure you have them. I use ad block plus which does a good job, but many pages don't like it and won't work properly until I disable it for that particular site. There are privacy concerns with the latest major Chrome update. Big brother Google is watching you (though the data they collect should be used to improve your experience, many don't like the idea of it)

Often, when installing programs, they will offer to install browser add-ons, many of which are intended to protect you. If you aren't paying attention and don't uncheck the optional box, they will install. Having more than one of these (or any single one that is not working properly) will cause problems loading content and/or pages. In this case, you should see some message that it was blocked, though.

Usually there is a safe mode option to start Chrome with all the add-ons disabled. If you don't have or cannot find that, you can go into settings and disable all add-ons. If the sites work properly after doing so, then you can just enable the ones you want to use one at a time until you find the culprit. Once you have identified it, either disable it again or remove it from Chrome.

I also use Opera, specifically for Etsy stuff, since the listing preview does not work in Chrome for me. It's been around for quite a few years and is a good stable browser.

Lastly, make sure you scan your computer, not only for viruses, but for spyware/malware. I have used Malware Bytes for many years to keep my computer clean and to fix many other people's computers. Even the free version does a great job of cleaning, just no real time protection. If you use it, keep in mind the above mention about the browser add-on option it will offer you. Good idea? Maybe, but will it play nice with other add-ons? Maybe, maybe not.

Hope some of this helps.
 
sorcerertd said:
Are you using Windows 10? Edge should be the default browser there. If you want to stick with a Microsoft browser, Edge is the way to go. IE is not going to be supported or updated going forward. If you are using an older version of WIndows, that could be the problem as many browsers will not update on anything before 10 and, of course, an outdated browser won't always handle newer HTML, Java, etc., coding on pages.

I've used Chrome for years now. Gave up on Firefox due to it just being too slow. Maybe it's improved over those years? I'd like to hope so. Chrome has done a lot of updates lately. Make sure you have them. I use ad block plus which does a good job, but many pages don't like it and won't work properly until I disable it for that particular site. There are privacy concerns with the latest major Chrome update. Big brother Google is watching you (though the data they collect should be used to improve your experience, many don't like the idea of it)

Often, when installing programs, they will offer to install browser add-ons, many of which are intended to protect you. If you aren't paying attention and don't uncheck the optional box, they will install. Having more than one of these (or any single one that is not working properly) will cause problems loading content and/or pages. In this case, you should see some message that it was blocked, though.

Usually there is a safe mode option to start Chrome with all the add-ons disabled. If you don't have or cannot find that, you can go into settings and disable all add-ons. If the sites work properly after doing so, then you can just enable the ones you want to use one at a time until you find the culprit. Once you have identified it, either disable it again or remove it from Chrome.

I also use Opera, specifically for Etsy stuff, since the listing preview does not work in Chrome for me. It's been around for quite a few years and is a good stable browser.

Lastly, make sure you scan your computer, not only for viruses, but for spyware/malware. I have used Malware Bytes for many years to keep my computer clean and to fix many other people's computers. Even the free version does a great job of cleaning, just no real time protection. If you use it, keep in mind the above mention about the browser add-on option it will offer you. Good idea? Maybe, but will it play nice with other add-ons? Maybe, maybe not.

Hope some of this helps.
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This is very helpful. Thank you. Lots of good info here. Going to play around with some of these.
 
One other question or two, what is the easiest way to switch back and forth from browsers. I switched to firefox a little while ago and it allowed me to open a few of the sites I could not get into with Chrome. I liked that. But all my passwords did not work. Do I have to set all the forums over again?? My quick apps also did not work. Had to retype the forums in. I have a favorite folder setup with all my favorite forums and just pull that up and click on each one and they open right up. Things changed when using a different browser. Thanks.
 
FIRST AND FOREMOST ... THIS IS IMPORTANT: Be sure you download browser installers from their official websites.
Those official websites may not appear at the top of the list in a web search. You will see many other "download sites" that appear in web searches. They may look "official", but they are not. Do not trust them. They may install additional software that you do not want, such as adware, spyware, or other malware. They may install a version of the browser that has been modified or hacked. If you aren't sure, then learn how to be sure or ask someone technical that you trust to provide the proper link to download the browser.

Additional comments:

Browsers are applications (programs) that run on your computer. In Windows 10, you can launch the desired browser from the Start menu or you can "pin" their icons in the Taskbar and launch them from there, just as you would any other program. If you want to switch between browsers, just launch each browser from the Start menu or Taskbar as appropriate. You can run multiple browsers at the same time.

The simple answer about passwords is yes, if you are using the browser to store your website passwords, then you must re-enter your passwords in each browser.

Each browser stores its own data. They do not share data between each other. That includes passwords. If you visit a website in one browser and then visit the same website in another browser, it won't know the password from the first browser. Depending on the situation, the same website in the second browser may or may not remember what you did in the first browser.

Consider installing a separate password manager program to store your website passwords, rather than using the browser's built-in password storage. A password manager can generate unique, long, strong, random passwords for you to use, all protected with a single "master password." True, it is one more program to learn, but it is worth the effort, in my opinion.

I do not run extensions, other than the one required for the password manager that I use. The fewer extensions, the better. Extensions can be a source of problems, and are commonly used for adware, tracking, and many other hidden, malicious purposes.

SECOND AND NEARLY FOREMOST: Never say Yes to an unexpected prompt on your computer, unless you intentionally started the operation yourself.
That is especially true for installing anything on your computer such as an application, program, or browser extension. Unless you are actually installing something that you started yourself, say no.
 
I use Firefox and Opera...they are awesome. I have a double monitor set and have opera on one monitor and Firefox on the other. Being a month shy of 65 I loose my thought process or a details occasionally and switch to the other to look up what I'm looking for.

I got a chrome book for fathers day and while I haven't messed much with it, it looks as if Google products are the ones that work the best or at all, so I use chrome on it.......Chrome seems as if anything I am looking at on Amazon, appears in the pop ups in seconds. That leads me to believe they are very actively sharing me info......
 
To Join the thread; This isn't always true. there are several ways to "move" your saved logins from one browser to another. I believe the major browsers have ways to export and import the "saved passwords" between themselves. Remove whatever you use after completing the import / export process.

I would NEVER allow the passwords to be transferred off my machine. There are some passwords that are so sensitive, I never store them.

penicillin said:
Each browser stores its own data. They do not share data between each other. That includes passwords. If you visit a website in one browser and then visit the same website in another browser, it won't know the password from the first browser. Depending on the situation, the same website in the second browser may or may not remember what you did in the first browser.

Consider installing a separate password manager program to store your website passwords, rather than using the browser's built-in password storage. A password manager can generate unique, long, strong, random passwords for you to use, all protected with a single "master password." True, it is one more program to learn, but it is worth the effort, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
randyrls said:
I would NEVER allow the passwords to be transferred off my machine. There are some passwords that are so sensitive, I never store them.
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I agree 100%.

Some password manager programs let you store your passwords "securely" on the internet, so that you can synchronize passwords between different devices, such as your phone and your computer.
-> I never use that "remote sync" feature. For me, the password manager stores my passwords on one local device, my personal computer only.

Like @randyris, I would never transfer passwords off my machine, which means that I would never store them on the internet. Here are some reasons:
  • If the attacker breaks your password storage, they get "the keys to the kingdom" ... all your passwords to everything in one nice, neat bundle.
  • If a vulnerability is discovered in your password manager and your passwords are stored externally, you could lose them all.
  • Everything is recorded on the internet. A vulnerability could be found later, even decades into the future. ... and don't try to convince me that all of your passwords are less than 10 years old.
  • As technology improves, what is secure today may not be considered secure tomorrow. Security protocols and algorithms that were unbreakable years ago are now easily cracked by a student with a cheap home computer. You carry more computing power on your person than the most powerful supercomputers of yesteryear.
I use a password manager with the passwords stored locally because:
  • It creates long, strong, random passwords. By long, I mean 20 completely random characters or more, with upper and lower case, numbers, and special characters. Each password is unique.
  • Each password is unique. I never reuse passwords. Even if a website has poor password management and gets hacked, the attacker will not be able to use the stolen password anywhere else.
  • The password manager works with multiple browsers and other applications. I don't worry about which password is stored where.
  • It is convenient compared with other methods.
Note:
A good security strategy (including a password manager) is only one aspect of good computing practices, which should also include backup and recovery, disaster recovery, etc. (What happens if your computer is destroyed? ... Or you are gone and your family doesn't know your passwords?)
 
Many people are leary of Microsoft browsers because of the problems that Internet Explorer had. Bloated, buggy, etc.
Firefox was said to be nimble and light requiring very little resources.
Fast forward 10 years and FF is very resource intensive and Edge is the new kid on the block that is light and nimble.

We (my work) are starting to use Edge for more and more things. I use Chrome for a lot and FF for a lot but gradually, I think I will be moving to Edge. It's strange how things work.

Kind of like Harbor Freight. In the old days, the purveyors of cheap, junk tools that you hope you get one use out of.
Now, they have developed some pretty serious tool lines and it's reflected in the fact they no longer provide that ubiquitous 20% off coupon.
 
I use Chrome on my iphone, Safari on my iPad (I hate it, but it works better with the files I use in the procreate app) and Chrome on my laptop. I preferred IE (RIP old buddy) but I have learned some websites just don't play well with chrome and so if it is glitching, I will open Firefox and give it a try (& it usually works fine). But I don't like to use firefox full time (I used to have to at work) because I find it pesters me too much with "do you want to bookmark this?" Or "would you like to turn on notifications for this site!?" Messages all the time. It's also always in need of an update and it takes forever sometimes and I could have looked it up faster on my phone in the time it takes to download updates.

I have found it is just best to cycle between those 3 and see what works best for you and save the others as backups if you have problems loading sites.
 
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