Awhile back when we were having problems with spyware someone here suggested Firefox. I am thinking of using it but have some questions first.

If Idownload it does it take over for IE ? Meaning will I still have that browser on my computer as well after I put Firefox on ? If both are installed on here can I go back and forth if I want to?

Has anyone here used it and if so could you please comment on it and the pro's and con's. Silly question here but will ask anyway. Will I still have my same e-mail program , I use Outlook Express. Any information given will be greatly appreciated. Neb :)

If Idownload it does it take over for IE ?Not necessarily, you choose which browser will be default.
Meaning will I still have that browser on my computer as well after I put Firefox on ? If both are installed on here can I go back and forth if I want to?No problem at all. You can even have them both open at the same time
Has anyone here used it and if so could you please comment on it and the pro's and con's. Big pro - you can open a new link as a tab on the browser page, if you press <ctrl> at the time it's automatic and you don't leave the page you were on. So when you open the forum page you just go clicking away on everything you want to open. You won't want to go back to IE after that.
Small con - there are a few incompatabilities, but every day they are less
Will I still have my same e-mail program , I use Outlook Express.No problem
Any information given will be greatly appreciated. Neb :)My pleasure.
I think Gary knows a lot more about this, so maybe he'll be along soon to help out some more.

Rô

Hi Neb,

Firefox is a stand alone browser, it does not prevent you from using IE if you want.

When you install it, it asks if you want to make it your default browser, by clicking yes, you just make it the 1st browser your PC will try to open, it will not compromise IE in any way.

Once installed, read the help files. There is an import function, that allows you to install all your settings from IE. So all your Favorites (they're called Bookmarks in Firefox), your e-mail client settings etc are copied over to Firefox (you can still use them from IE). Outlook Express (or any other e-mail client) is opened from the toolbar just like IE.

Advantages of Firefox:- Tabbed Browsing, Popup Blocker, Inbuilt Google Search Button (can be extended to include other Search Engines), Better Security (Active-X components don't apply in Firefox, and most spyware (but not all) has not been written for it).

Because of the lack of Active-X, some web functions are not available for Firefox, but these are few and far between.

Firefox can be extended, to enable a whole host of features, by installing free plugins from the homesite. There is one that enables you to open IE by right clicking, I recommend this, as it makes it easy to open the odd page that does'nt run fully in Firefox.

Another plugin I have is a Javascript blocker, that allows me to only allow Javascript to be enabled on trusted sites (like here at RetouchPRO) thus making it even more secure.

I've been using it for a couple of years, during that time I've had absolutely no spyware infestation, despite browsing some pretty dubious sites at times.

Hope this helps you decide to install. Any more questions just post, I'll be glad to help if I can.

For a more enhanced web tabbed browser which retains more compatibility with IE I suggest Avant Browser (it’s freeware).

http://www.avantbrowser.com/

Silly question here but will ask anyway. Will I still have my same e-mail program , I use Outlook Express. Any information given will be greatly appreciated. Neb :)
I've gone over to Thunderbird (Mozilla's email software). It's way better than Outlook Express. Has a wonderful feature of identifying what you regard as junk. It can also be set up so that mail does not open automatically in a viewing pane.

As others have said, tabbed browsing is really great.

I'd definately agree with all of the above. I only use IE now for pages that have been optimized to work with that browser only. Firefox is a much better browser and is updated much more frequently than IE.

I really bet on Firefox, I repair computers all the time and most of the Adware [Malaware] is targeted for IE...
So my 2 Cents go for Firefox... :rambo:

I'd just like to add that there's no way to get rid of IE (if you wanted) if you're using a windows PC. It's needed to download the many updates and security patches from microsoft.
I recommend firefox to anyone, it's extremely easy to use and as Gary stated, there's a lot of plug-ins that can be added to enhance it's browsing features.
And once you start using tabbed browsing, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
I also have been using thunderbird for a while and i've had absolutely no problems with it.

Ok, I finally decided to make the switch to Firefox. I have been looking through all the customizations and all, setting preferences, etc. When I first got it installed I was able to view the pull out menu on the RetouchPRO home page, but when I did the black background would flicker or turn white. Now the menu is gone altogether. Can anyone help me with this? Gary? WHere are ya, dude, I need ya - lol.

Thanks,
Dawn

Ok, I finally decided to make the switch to Firefox. I have been looking through all the customizations and all, setting preferences, etc. When I first got it installed I was able to view the pull out menu on the RetouchPRO home page, but when I did the black background would flicker or turn white. Now the menu is gone altogether. Can anyone help me with this? Gary? WHere are ya, dude, I need ya - lol.

Thanks,
Dawn

Yes, I have noticed the same problem with the home page. The color of the background changes from white to grey. I suppose it is a compatibility issue.

Hi Dawn,

If you've lost the menu for RetouchPRO, its because you haven't got java enabled.

Go to Tools/Options/Web Features and click on the Enable java box.

If you have downloaded the Javascript Block plug in, add RetouchPRO to permitted sites.

To do this, click on the Script Block Icon (Circle with diagonal line through) found at the bottom right of your page. Click to enable RetouchPRO. Click Options to view all sites where javascript is permitted. Note: denying permissions to sites you have already given permission to, often causes Firefox to crash. Minor problem as this is not something you're likely to do too often. Works fine otherwise.

Hope this helps.

Well, since I am all for better security, I am going to stick it out and give this a good try. But even after having allowed Java and allowed Java Scripts for the site, I still do not have the pull out menu. Its opk though I just set the home page to the forums. lol Just like anythign new though it takes time to get used to. But I am trying to be patient, which is not one of my strong points - lol.

Thank for your help, and for the recommendation of this browser. THis was about the thousandth time I had heard of it and heard it recommended so I finally decided to make the leap over. TY muchly! :D

Dawn

Any changes made to Firefox only apply once you have closed it and re-opened it, can't understand otherwise, why menu won't open.

Will see if I can think of anything else.

Just been thinking, I said click on Enable Java, when what I meant was Enable Javascript.

Java is not needed for the RetouchPRO menu. In any case, you'd have to first download the Java plug-in first.

So, check that the Enable Javascript is checked, its in Tools/Options/Web Features. Check OK to save.

Now exit from Firefox, then Start it up again, this will instigate the change. You should now see the RetouchPRO menu.

I just want to add this:

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,120763,findid,48080,00.asp

Yes, there's some bugs in Firefox, but in the long run, is better to work with Firefox...

I've been using Firefox for about six months. Prior to the switch, each time I ran spybot or ad-aware the screen filled up with issues. Since I have been using Firefox, it's usally a big green tick congratulating me that no immediate threats were found. Highly recommended

Darren

I like Firefox for sure but before when I felt I wanted a good Computer wide scan for viruses I'd visit Trend Micro's "house call" for a scan I knew was current. This service wasn't available with Firefox.

I use spybot and also come back with the same results as Darren now but I Question the results for the same reason as above. Until I did an update recently to Spybot I felt secure as the program ran thru it's usual cycle but after the update the popup congradulating occurs immediately making me wonder if anything was checked.

I can say that I've had no problems since switching to FireFox but I use my restore point frequently so any problems would disappear anyhow.

For those who like to play and want a really quick machine (with tons of software installed even) then read on. ...Otherwise I just wanted to say I'm happy with FireFox.

WindowsXP and WindowsME have a restore system built in.. I have win2000. But RestoreIt Came with my Intel Motherboard. It and others are available online or in stores.

For the fast restore point I first formatted and did a clean install. Then I did whatever updates were needed as well as installed every program that I use .. or at least all that I could remember... all this without going online where a virus might get a Grip. When I had installed all that I could think of as well as set the preferences for most, I created a new "static" restore point.

Afterwards I kept a clipboard handy as I went about my business and wrote down each thing I had forgotten as it occured to me..

Once I had a list and some free time I used the restore point to bring me back to that pristine install I'd had going then went down my list, doing at once all the forgotten installs and preferences etc... Then made a new "static" restore point. I say Static as at least with my "RestoreIt" I can only have 1 Permanent restore point although many incremental ones.. I find those get erased when I Backup some of my DVDs so I really only regard the Permanent (static) as a true restore point.

The important thing is to keep going back faithfully to the restore point... otherwise some of the common sludge that slows the system burrows in.
also Defragment C: even if unneeded.

Once done, again start another list.. It may take a few to remember everything (like signing into RetouchPRO) preferences on google.. homepage and all that stuff.

But in the end you have a restore point that when returned to is as fresh as if you had sat down and done everything at once... Everything ready to use as is.. addresses in the book.. nothing to make you regret having to use the restore point.. In fact I often use it when it's not really needed... just to stay fast.

Also I need to mention I had Partitioned my hard drive allowing me to retain all my files and Photos safely on partition "D"... Some folks may have 2 hard drives... same thing..

Two things lost with the restore point is current e-mails and so far I haven't found where Firefox stores "bookMarks" ... I've gotten around this by copying my old IE favorites to a folder on "D" and creating a shortcut to my desktop.... quicker than waiting for the browser to open for access to BookMarks anyhow.

with the restore point there is no fear of viruses or caution when installing software not sure of... if something goes wrong no big deal..

I hope someone found this usefull
RonDon

Hi Rondon,

To enable online scanning like with Trend, its necessary to open an IE window, as Firefox doesn't support Active X applications. The easiest way to do this, is to add an extension to your Firefox browser called IE VIEW. This is found on Firefox's home site under extensions (can't remember which section at the moment).This enables you to open an IE window by right-clicking in a Firefox window, and selecting IE from the pop up list. You can also have sites always open in IE, by adding them to a list that comes with the extension.

Can't understand why you're having problems with Spybot scanning. However, version 1.4 of Spybot was only released on 31 May, and its still a bit buggy, hopefully its just that.

You can also Export Firefox bookmarks to a folder as a copy, by doing the following, Bookmarks/Manage Bookmarks/File/Export. Then browse to where you want to save them and click save. These can then be Imported after resetting to an earlier RetouchPRO, by Bookmarks/Manage Bookmarks/File/Import, and checking the From File box, then browsing to folder where you saved your backup bookmarks.
(Its probably taken longer for me to write this than it does to do it.)

Link to IE VIEW extension, https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=35&application=firefox

another alternative to firefox and i.e. is mozilla. this is also a tabbed browsing browser with many of the features of firefox and i.e. i use it almost exclusively. and like firefox and other alternative browsers, you still have to maintain i.e for security updates from microsoft. i also have to use i.e. on those rare web sites where things wont show in mozilla, but like with firefox, those are few and far between.

i dont use a lot of plugins with mozilla. about the only one i have is the java console and it works fine with mozilla also.

i've also heard that microsoft recently updated i.e. and added tabbed browsing. gee, way to go microsoft ;)

and, if anyone just must use i.e., get the program 'Hijackthis'. ad-aware and spybot search and destroy do not always handle browser attacks very well. hijackthis specializes in it and has a LOT of support. spyware, hijack-ware, and other forms of malware often attack your browser, specifically internet explorer. hijackthis is the absolute BEST remedy for getting rid of these. it will even show up some trojans and viruses. if you're having trouble with something changing your home page or redirecting you to other pages you dont want, or disabling things in your browser or just plain slowing down your browsing, get hijackthis. it's free and it's very effective. it's saved me many headaches!

Craig

I use spybot and also come back with the same results as Darren now but I Question the results for the same reason as above. Until I did an update recently to Spybot I felt secure as the program ran thru it's usual cycle but after the update the popup congradulating occurs immediately making me wonder if anything was checked.[QUOTE]

I was worried too, however, every so often i spend a couple of hours browsing with IE (usually when having to use it for windows update (argh!!) and - surprise surprise - ad-aware or spybot pick something up. I'm not naive enough to believe firefox is invulnerable, but think that it is many times better than (and not as oppressive as) the microsoft alternative.

Darren

If you go into the enterprise section of Trend Micro, Housecall runs fine.
Here's the link:
http://nl.trendmicro-europe.com/enterprise/products/housecall_launch.php

It states it supports Firefox, and now uses Java instead of active x.

Thol

I book marked that new link to trend micro ... I really hated the idea of running IE at all..

Just a word on spyware and browsers.

90% of all spyware is not on your system due to a driveby download, but is there because the user was loading free applications that come bundled with ad and spyware.

As such, no browser will protect you. It is up to you to be careful about what you load. Always read EULAs (End User License Agreements), if they're over long, or written in legalise, the chances are they're trying to foist something onto you.

Secondly, Firefox like any other browser has its vulnerabilities. Be careful when a dialogue box appears asking you to authorise an extension to help you see all available content on a page, this can be used as a means to download crud onto you. Also be careful of Java applets and javascript applications, which can work in Firefox the same way as Active X applications do in IE.

Apply a little common sense. Do you know and trust the site you're on. Do you really need to see the particular page item, or download the particular application.

Lastly, there are no majic applications for removing spyware. Ad-aware and Spybot are good tools, but even combined they only scan for about 50% of known spyware. Even the best combinations of Spyware removers (Paid for or Freeware) remove 70% of it. Hijackthis was mentioned earlier as a useful tool, and it is, in skilled hands. But in unskilled hands it can totally foul up your system, so must always be used with expert advise.

For anyone with a spyware problem that auto tools have failed to remove, and need help, try one of the following forums, where expert advice will be given.

http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://aumha.net/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

Well I downloaded and installed the latest JAVA and housecall worked fine.. Almost sadly not a virus to be found.

but then because I've kept returning to my restore points before installing Items on the list I mention earlier the computer has barely grazed the internet.

I downloaded JAVA 1st , stored it on Partition "D" then returned my computer to the latest restore point before installing JAVA ... then made a new (not permanant) restore point to see if I run into any unwanted effects from it.

I suppose it may sound like I am tooting my own horn here but I tell myself I am really trying to make my method clear. It really is so nice to have a Fresh, usefull restore point to return to whenever I just feel the urge... even after only a couple of weeks of normal use before I "RestoreIT" there is a noticable speed up. Even shut downs happen quickly.

Now on the JAVA... anyone know the skinny on it ? seems like a few years ago I remember vunerabilities.... but that was then ... also what is missed without it? I saw quite a few blank spots where I had supposed animated advertisements resided while surfing the internet before JAVA ... will these slow down load times on my phone modem ?

I haven't noticed anyone mention " Shoot the messenger " A very small tool that permantly stops popups. Seems our friends at MS left something on that need not be.

Hi Rondon,

Having Java loaded should not slow you up to any marked degree, but it could potentially leave you open to certain exploits. However, without it certain Applet run applications cannot be viewed, so its a judgement call on utility versus security.

Shoot the Messenger is a utility used to shut down the Messenger Service on Windows systems (not to be confused with Microsoft Messenger the P2P programme). This is a service enabling network administrators to send messages to clients on a network. Unless you are part of a network, it is of no use to you.

Spammers found a way of using it to send pop-up messages to your PC. The service can be shut down manually by the following.

Control Panel/Performance & Maintenance/Administrative Tools/Services

Scroll down to Messenger, double click on it to open the config window.
Now set Startup Type to Disable, and Service Status to Stop. Click OK to confirm settings, and exit out.

Control Panel/Performance & Maintenance/Administrative Tools/Services

This is what Platform ? Windows XP ?

Shoot the Messenger works with Windows NT/2000/XP
http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

The file size is 22kb (not a misprint)

maybe I just like it because of the name chosen but it's a one click deal and you never see it again.... or those Pop-ups. nice to have in the little folder where I keep Security software.

Sorry, yes thats for XP.

Shoot the Messenger is certainly the easier way.

Just thought I'd give a little info on what it does, and why.

gary,

actually, that method wont completely work for killing microsoft messenger. if you're also using outlook or outlook express as your email client, it will re-enable messenger in your services list. now, that may have changed since service pack 2, i dont know; i dont use sp2. i know, i had this happen regularly until i found the cure.

and the cure is, you have to edit one of the messenger files to change the 'HIDE's in it to a blank, then uninstall it completely using the add/remove software app in control panel. otherwise it will just keep re-appearing when using outlook express.

Craig

are you talking about the chat ... microsoft messenger craig? whole different thing.

Kraellin,

as Rondon has pointed out you're talking about Microsoft Messenger which is shut down using another method if you don't want it.

If you read my first post, you will see I explain the difference between this, and the Messenger service which is used as a Spam exploit.

gary,

my bad, i mis-spoke. i am talking about the messenger service and not msn messenger. so, anywhere i said 'microsoft messenger', i meant the microsoft messenger service.

and thanks.

Craig

I use Outlook Express, and I've never had the Messenger service re-enable. I have SP2 though, so perhaps it is as you say, a pre SP2 thing. Thanks for the info, sorry for any misunderstanding.

gary,

the mistake was mine. also, i looked this thing up again. it's been a while since i disabled it. it was 'Windows Messenger'. so, if i've still got the thing wrong and you guys are talking about something else, i'll go stick my head in the sand and quit interrupting ;)

and if we are talking about windows messenger, in outlook express, under tools, options and then the 'general' tab', there is a line with a checkbox that says 'Automatically log on to Windows Messenger'. if you unchecked this box so that you wouldnt automatically log on, it would still log you on each time you started up outlook express, even if you had disabled the service in the services list and this is why i originally had to get rid of the thing altogether.

yes, it could have just been my machine and a few others. i know others had it too, since i found a fix for it online, before the 'kill the messenger' program was written. it could also have been fixed with later critical updates, but more likely it's something they added in the fixes with service pack 2.

Craig

Hi Craig,

Windows messenger is different from the Messenger Service. I know, its very confusing, Microsoft obviously lacked any inspiration when they named things.

As I said earlier, Messenger is a service, and is used solely for passing messages from a system administrator to clients on a network. It can be exploited though to give pop up spam.

For the vast majority of home users, it can be safely disabled using the methods described earlier by Rondon and myself.

To stop Windows Messenger auto starting in XP, try using the Registry Fix found here. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_messenger_autorun.htm

lol. ok, i stand corrected again. i was talking windows messenger. and yes, it is a bit confusing at times... windows messenger, messenger service, msn messenger, internet explorer, windows explorer, explorer (your desktop)...bleh.

to make amends, here's a great site for helping folks understand what they do and dont need in windows: www.blackviper.com . the gent that runs that site has a lot of help on all the services, what they are and what you dont need for your situational use.

Craig

edit: well, i'll be darned. the site is down or someone else has grabbed the domain name or blackviper is moving to a new site. not quite sure. would be a shame if he's closed up shop.

edit 2: ok, here's a link to a cached version of his site. i dont know if all the links will work from there, but the main services table is there: http://web.archive.org/web/20041128084144/www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Hi Craig,

Yes, Black Viper's site has been down for a while now. I've read somewhere that his site is currently being ghosted while work on his new site is in progresss, but can't find the article at the moment, so can't remember by who. If I find it, I'll post a link here.

Still can't find the Black Viper ghost site, but for anyone wanting information on services, try here http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

Come across a security vulnerability to Firefox when using tabbed browsing.
If you are on a Secure site (eg Online Banking) and you have a rogue site open on another tab, it is possible for the rogue site to execute script on the secure site.

Admittedly this is likely to be a rare occurence, but.

Remedy is to make sure that all other tabs and windows on Firefox are closed when inputting critical data such as passwords, credit card numbers etc.

I used to Open my Bank accounts, eBay & Paypal in Tabs all the time... Thanks for the tip :bigthmb:

You're welcome.