In 2011, Mozilla Firefox dominated the internet browser market. Now, in 2012, Google Chrome has taken the spot as the most used internet browser. This being said, I am still not completely sold on Google Chrome. I do use Chrome as a browser, but more for testing rather than a daily browser. Besides Google Chrome, I also use Comodo Dragon, Opera, Safari, Internet Explorer, and many more! Like I mentioned previously, I use these browsers primarily for browser compatibility testing for the many sites that I manage. I must mention that Comodo Dragon has proved itself to be a very awesome internet browser, definitely worth checking out…
Firefox has always proven the most stable, compatible, extensive browser that I’ve come across, and I have found many add-ons that make this browser 100-times better. Plus, every one of the add-ons in the following list are free!
Here are the Top 10 Firefox Add-Ons for Improved Browsing and Security (My own opinion, of course):
- AdBlock Plus: Adblock Plus is an extension for Firefox, Thunderbird, and several other applications with the primary goal of removing advertisements. For that, it will look at all requests made by web pages and block the request if the address the request should go to matches a filter in Adblock Plus. Out of the box, Adblock Plus comes without any filters whatsoever but will offer to add a filter subscription on first start — that is a list of filters maintained by other Adblock Plus users and will be updated automatically regularly.
- AlertStopper 200.000: Add an option for blocking repetitive alert(), confirm() and prompt() dialogs in Firefox. Gets rid of spam dialogs and other infinite loops! With AlertStopper, dissipate your JavaScript dialogs problems instantly!
- Fierr: Replaces the error page with a more stylish appearance with additional features.
- Memory Fox: Attempting to reduce the browser’s RAM Memory usage promoting the increase of available RAM memories for other application processes RAM memory requirements. Hopefully, fostering any attempts of Memory Recovery and Retention.
- NoScript: The best security you can get in a web browser! Allow active content to run only from sites you trust, and protect yourself against XSS and Clickjacking attacks.
- Session Manager: Session Manager saves and restores the state of all windows – either when you want it or automatically at startup and after crashes. It can also automatically save the state of open windows individually.
- Vacuum Places Improved: Defragments your Firefox “Places” database (history/bookmarks). This greatly reduces the lag while typing in the address bar and the start-up time. This extension features configurable automatic cleaning, periodic reminder, and internationalization.
- DownThemAll!: The first and only download manager/accelerator built inside Firefox!
- AutoFill Forms: Autofill Forms enables you to fill out web forms with one click or a keyboard shortcut.
- SkipScreen: Skips unnecessary pages on sites like Rapidshare, 4Shared, zShare, Mediafire, and more. Try it out, or watch a demo at http://www.skipscreen.com. Why click through ad-laden pages and wait for countdowns when your computer can do it for you.
Bonus – For all those users who use iGoogle as their homepage, and have recently learned that iGoogle is being shut down by Google in November 2013, we have an alternative for you…
- Feedly: Feed your mind. A magazine-like start page based on the best content of your favorite websites. Powered by Google Reader and Twitter.
