Firefox Tip – Use Reader Mode on Firefox for Android

Let’s face it. Reading a Web page on a mobile device can be a strain on the eyes, and your patience. Here’s a tip from Mozillian Sam M. to help make reading on your mobile page a bit easier.

Reader Mode“I use Firefox for Android, and often use the Reader Mode feature. I like it because it removes all the annoying ads from the Website I’m reading and makes the text size bigger. It’s like reading a whole new, beautiful page!”

Thanks Sam! Firefox for Android’s Reader Mode does that and more. It lets you control text size, reformats pictures, gets annoying ads out of your way, lets you share what you’re reading with friends and allows you to save articles to read later! Make sure you have the latest version of Firefox for Android – get it free from the Google Play Store. And if you love Reader Mode — or Firefox for Android in general — rate us as well to tell others!

If you have a tip you’d like to share with other Firefox users, please post it on our Facebook page with #FirefoxTips and tag us, or post on Twitter with #FirefoxTips. You can also view more tips in our archive.

If you found this tip useful, be sure to share it with the Facebook and Twitter buttons below, and help tell the world about Firefox.

Firefox for Android Bookmarks

Bookmarks: They’re not just for your computer anymore. If you have Firefox for Android you can also have your favorite sites just a tap away. Here’s what you need to know.

When you come across a website on your Android phone that you want to bookmark, just tap the menu button (at the bottom of your screen) and then tap the Star button. The star will turn yellow to let you know the site has been added to your bookmarks. For instructions on bookmarks for your tablet, see this article.

Bookmark on AndroidTo find that bookmark again, just tap the title bar and tap Bookmarks. Can that get any easier?!

Let’s take it a time-saving step further. You have a website that you use more often than any other — like your webmail or social networking site. You can save a bookmark for that site to the main screen of your Android device, so now it’s only one tap away. First, bookmark the site as described above. Now, tap the title bar and tap Bookmarks to locate the site. Once you see the bookmark you’re looking for, long tap that bookmark (and by long tap, we mean put your finger on it and hold it a little longer than you normally would).

When the menu appears, select “Add to Home Screen.” If you select that option, you will now have a shortcut on your home screen to that site. Yay for shaving seconds off your day!

You’ll also notice from that menu that you have the option to share a bookmark — because you know all of your friends will want to see that funny video. You could also remove it, should you decide you’ve had enough of that site and don’t need it anymore.

Do you know the best part about bookmarks in Firefox for Android? You can sync them with your home (or wherever) computer. So if you’ve bookmarked your favorite sites on one device, you can access them on another, without going through all the steps! Make sure you read this article on how to Sync to make full use of this feature.

Make sure to share this information with your friends using the share buttons below so they’ll know how to use bookmarks, too!

Happy Birthday Firefox!

Happy birthday Firefox! Joyeux anniversaire! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Feliz cumpleaños!

It’s been 8 years ago today since Firefox 1.0 — and now it’s the browser of choice for millions of people around the world. To celebrate, we want to recognize YOU – because you’re the reason we strive to make Firefox the safest, fastest and most secure browser we can, while we work to keep the Web open for all! Yay you!

 

Firefox Tip – How to Turn Firefox Add-ons On and Off

Many folks love Firefox Add-ons — those little pieces of code that bring enhanced features to your Firefox browsing. However, sometimes, you might want to do a little “spring cleaning” and disable or delete the ones you don’t use. This also keeps your Firefox running smoothly.

Click on the Firefox button (Tools in Windows XP) and then Add-ons. In the Add-ons Manager tab, choose Extensions. Select the add-on that you want to disable or remove. To turn it off, select Disable. To delete it altogether, select Remove. Restart your browser to make sure changes took effect. (Removing an add-on means you’ll have to download it again to get it back. If you disable an add-on, you can follow the same instructions and choose “Enable” to turn it back on.)

Manage Add-onsMore instructions about disabling or deleting add-ons can be found in this article.

If you have a tip you’d like to share with other Firefox users, please post it on our Facebook page with #FirefoxTips and tag us, or post on Twitter with #FirefoxTips. You can also view more tips in our archive.

If you found this tip useful, be sure to share it with the Facebook and Twitter buttons below, and help tell the world about Firefox.

Safe Shopping on Your Android Device

Web surfers are becoming more and more savvy about protecting themselves when they shop online using their computers, but it’s also important to be smart mobile shoppers as well. Many of the same tips apply on your mobile phone or tablet, but there are some mobile-specific tips to consider.

Here are the top threats on your mobile device and how to protect yourself.

Threat: Public wi-fi

Solution: Never (ever, ever!) shop from your mobile device when you’re on a public wi-fi connection. These types of connections aren’t encrypted (so as to give everyone access). If you don’t want the guy next to you, the teenager across from you or the person you can’t see in the parking lot to know your login info and credit card number, don’t enter that information when using public wi-fi.

Threat: Illegitimate “payment apps”

Solution: Your best bet is to always use a well-known app store (Google Play, etc.). Even then, before you download any payment app, it’s best to do your research. Read the app reviews (beware of apps with zero reviews) and follow that up with a search for any possible scams related to that app. When in doubt, apps from institutions you trust (Paypal, your bank, etc.) are the safest ones. Also remember that often, you get what you pay for. Mobile security isn’t worth the discounted price if you’re downloading an app that places malware on your phone.

Threat: Suspicious links in text messages

Solution: If you’re entering personal information on your phone, don’t enter it onto a website that begins with only http:// as that is an unsecured site. Look for https:// (note the addition of the “s”) — that means the site has encryption installed. There are some mobile security products you can purchase that help scan these links as well — do a search to find the best for you.

Now, you’re all set for your holiday shopping on your mobile device!

Firefox Tip – How to Update Firefox to the Latest Version

How do you get the latest version of Firefox? In the past, you would have to take an action — either download the new version of select “Update” from your Firefox menu to initiate an update.

There were lots of people that gave us feedback on that method. It wasn’t pretty. But we always appreciate what our Firefox fans have to say, and here’s a great new tip for you.

If you’re on the latest version of Firefox and the version number starts with a 16 or greater, you never have to lift another finger to get the latest version. (At the top of the Firefox window click the Firefox button, go over to the Help menu and select About Firefox. For Windows XP: Go to the Help menu and select About Firefox.)

About Firefox
That’s it! From now on, when Firefox has a new feature, or a security update, you don’t have to do a thing. It will update like clockwork without any effort from you as we roll out changes to all of our users.

Of course, if you want to be the very first to have an update, you can always check on your own, and configure your settings to check for updates. Instructions to do that can be found in this support article.

If you have a tip you’d like to share with other Firefox users, please post it on our Facebook page with #FirefoxTips and tag us, or post on Twitter with #FirefoxTips. You can also view more tips in our archive.

If you found this tip useful, be sure to share it with the Facebook and Twitter buttons below, and help tell the world about Firefox.

8 Tips for Safe Online Shopping

Who doesn’t like to shop online? You can do it in your pajamas, you get great deals, it’s a way to get mail that isn’t a bill and you don’t have to brush your hair.

There are, however, some pitfalls with shopping online, but if you know how to protect yourself, you can just sit back and enjoy the experience. Here are some safe online shopping tips.

1. Use the latest version of Firefox. With every update comes more security. If you’re using an older browser, you’re putting yourself at greater risk. An update is so simple — either download the latest version or go to to Firefox > About Firefox to see if you’re up to date.

2. Use sites that are familiar to you. You’re safer if you stick to sites you know. If you’re not familiar with a site, make sure that the site has a privacy policy and information about the site’s security measures.

3. Know if the site is secure. There are two quick and easy things to look for when shopping a site. First, does the URL start with HTTPS (instead of HTTP)? And second, is there a “lock” icon on the status bar that shows that you are on a secured website?

4. Pay with credit. When it comes time to pay for that new gadget/shirt/toy, use credit instead of debit. Many credit cards offer fraud protection that debit doesn’t. A disposable card or gift card is even better, because the funds are limited to a specific amount.

5. Be the master of your own information. Storing your information on a trusted site sure does make things easier when you come back to buy again. If you read the news, however, you’ll see that even secure sites can occasionally fall prey to hackers. Also, there’s no need for a shopping site to know your birthday, your ID number, etc. That information, along with your credit card number, is ID-heaven to a thief. Keep your personal information, well, personal.

6. Use a super strong password. If your shopping password is 1234, you’re vulnerable to being hacked. Use a phrase with numbers and special characters. For example, “Ireadthedenblog2” is a strong password.

7. Shop at home. Don’t use public computers to enter personal information.

8. Check your statements. It’s a good idea to do this monthly. Make sure the charges on your credit cards went to pay for things that you got to enjoy — not someone else.

Holiday shopping time is upon us. Shop smart and shop safe online!

Firefox Tip – Create a Desktop Shortcut for Your Favorite Site

Did you know that you can use Firefox to create a shortcut on your computer’s desktop to a Web page you’ve visited? We’re here to tell you that you can! Creating a desktop shortcut let’s you open that page directly from your desktop – clicking the shortcut will allow your default browser (hopefully, that’s Firefox!) to open the site immediately.

It’s as simple as a drag and drop. Make sure you resize your browser window so you can also see your desktop behind it. Click on the icon in the Awesome Bar next to the site’s url and hold it, until you’ve moved the pointer to your desktop area and then let go, or “drop” it.

If you have a tip you’d like to share with other Firefox users, please post it on our Facebook page with #FirefoxTips and tag us, or post on Twitter with #FirefoxTips. You can also view more tips in our archive.

If you found this tip useful, be sure to share it with the Facebook and Twitter buttons below, and help tell the world about Firefox.