Three browser plugins that help with browser security
BY ADAM BALDWIN
*The following piece is written in paid partnership. Baldwin Bytes owner Adam Baldwin will continue to provide computer-related content on a monthly basis.
I have always had an interest in computers and how they operate. I grew up in Mahomet and went to Mahomet-Seymour Public Schools. My parents bought a computer when I was in fourth grade and I was hooked.
At that young age, I was mainly interested in playing games on the computer. Later, I became interested in how computers work and are programmed I don’t think that my parents dreamed that I would one day choose to work with and on computers as my life’s work and passion.
For years I repaired my friend’s and family’s computers. I rebuilt some computers at the request of friends and their friends. My parents, grandparents and friends would try to convince me to start a computer business. Now, my partner, Sarah Bensken, and I have decided to make my dream of owning my own computer shop come true.
As of August 1, we will be open and located at Sangamon on Main Street. I can repair computers, build new ones, and/or go to your home to help with questions and repairs that you have. Hopefully, in the future, I plan to hold monthly classes at our shop on topics that are of interest to the average computer user.
In today’s world of computers, security is a number one issue for most users and parents’ whose children are computer users. Even though computers come with antivirus equipment, you will need to be sure that your browser is safe from hackers and malware. If you are using Firefox or Chrome browsers, this information could be invaluable to you.
I am listing three of the free browser plugins (apps for your web browser) that can be downloaded for free. You can find these plugins in your browser settings located in the upper right-hand corner of your browser page or by simply doing a Google search. The following three plugins are ones that I use. They are listed in the order that I feel are of importance to you.
uBlock Origin. This is a plug-in that is useful because it blocks pop-ups and unwanted code (malware). If you accidentally find yourself on a dangerous website without knowing it, this plugin will block the malicious stuff on that page. This is my most used plugin.
Web of Trust or WOT. This plugin is crowd sourced. In other words, it is built around real experiences of users and gives their feedback on whether a web site is safe to use. After a Google search, there will be colored dots next to your search. A green dot means it is safe, a yellow dot means not so sure (caution), and a red dot means it is not a safe website to visit.
HTTPS Everywhere. Most websites you will visit start with http://. Sometimes it can also be https://. The S stands for secure and this plugin forces any website that has a secure option to be the default website you visit, making your internet shopping safer.
I hope that you find this information useful. If you have concerns that you would like for me to address in my next article, please feel free to email me at adam@baldwinbytes.com, and I will try to address your concerns in future articles. I can also be found at my shop at Sangamon on Main Street, 601 E. Main Street, Suite #110, Mahomet, Illinois 61853.
