How to maintain a Safe, Healthy, and Fast Web Browser

The World Wide Web can be a dangerous place, even though there are so many fun things to do online. Even “safe” websites like Facebook, Twitter, or your favorite news website can hold malicious software that can harm your system.

Below are many steps on how to speed up your slow internet web browsing! The following will work throughout all browser types. Be sure to keep the following programs up-to-date and functioning correctly. Before following the steps below you need to understand the different types of internet.

1. Updating Adobe Flash Player
2. Updating Oracle Java
3. Running CCleaner
4. Running Temporary File Cleaner
5. Replace your internet HOST files
6. Manage Add-ons
7. Removing Toolbars
8. Installing SpywareBlaster
9. Installing WOT (Web of Trust) for your Browser
10. Always install the latest web browser

Introduction

The type of Internet connection you use is the most important factor in determining your connection speed. The three most common ways to connect to the Internet from home are dial-up, DSL, and cable. If you have a choice, cable is usually the fastest, but both DSL and cable are faster than dial-up. The fastest internet connection available today is fiber optic.

To test your internet download, upload, and ping speeds visit www.speedtest.net

1. Updating Adobe Flash Player

The installation of Adobe Flash player allows your browser to display flash content on the web. With older websites and videos relying on Adobe Flash, it’s nice to have it installed. Be careful on visiting websites with Flash on them; if asked to share your webcam or microphone always decline.

Note: Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Chrome have disabled Adobe Flash and no longer allow the program to run on them. This is a security measure and these browsers instead use their own type of Flash.

1. Make your way to www.Adobe.com
2. Click the menu button found in the top right and choose Adobe Flash Player.
3. Un-tick the box for installing the Google Toolbar or an additional software.
4. Press Download now.
5. Follow the on screen instructions.

2. Updating Oracle Java

Java is a simple operating system used by millions of devices. Although Java isn’t a necessity, you may come to find that you’ll need it for different web software. However, there is a security risk of having Java installed on your computer. Always be sure that older versions are uninstalled or up-to-date. If you do not need Java do not install it.

Note: Browsers like Microsoft Edge and Chrome have disabled Adobe Flash and no longer allow the program to run on them. This is a security measure.

1. Go to www.Java.com
2. On the home screen select the Free Java Download button.
3. Press Agree and Start Free Download
4. Follow the on screen guide on installing the software.

3. Running CCleaner

CCleaner is a great PC file cleaner. When analyzing your PC’s files, CCleaner searches for internet files such as cookies, history, temporary download files, and recently typed URLs. Deleting such files will help increase your web browsing speeds.

1. Go to www.piriform.com/CCLEANER
2. In the middle of the screen will be a Download button.
3. Select the Free version and download from Piriform.com, if possible, otherwise, download from the listed website.
4. After the program as installed open it up.
5. Under the Windows Tab find your browser.
6. Make sure the following are ticked:

a. Temporary Internet Files
b. History
c. Cookies
d. Recently Typed URLs
e. Index.dat Files
f. Last Download Location
g. Autocomplete Form History

7. Next press Analyze
8. Then Run Cleaner

Note: TSF does not recommend the use of Registry Cleaners. In the vast majority of cases, the Registry will not require ‘cleaning’ and, even if it did, you would be unlikely to notice any performance improvement.

4. Running Temporary File Cleaner

Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) is almost the same type of software as CCleaner. TFC main purpose is to search for temporary files only. TFC does a stronger search then CCleaner and may find more temporary files then CCleaner.

1. Download TFC to your desktop.
2. Be sure that all open windows are closed.
3. TFC will close all open program to run, be sure to safe any work!
4. Click the Start button.
5. Allow TFC to run uninterrupted.
6. After the program has finished it should automatically reboot the PC.
7. If it does not reboot, reboot manually.
8. It is normal that after running TFC that the PC will be slower to boot for the first time.

5. Replace your internet HOST files

Your internet HOST file is what allows popups and ads to appear/connect to your computer. The default HOST file installed on Windows offers zero protection. Upgrading them using the process below gives your browser a huge protection barrier. Popups and website/video advertisements will not be able to appear.

1. Download the host.zip file to your desktop.
2. Right click on the downloaded file and select Extract All…
3. On the extracted file, right click on mvps.bat
4. Click Run as administrator
5. A popup box will appear.
6. Your HOST files are now up-to-date.

6. Manage Add-ons

Add-ons are just like startup programs for Windows. Each time you start up your favorite internet browser the add-ons must load as well. Always be sure that unneeded or unwanted add-ons are disabled to improve startup time along with web surface time.

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 11

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools icon (Gear), and then click Manage add-ons.
3. Under Show, click All add-ons
4. Click an add-on that you wish to disable or enable.
5. Select Enable or Disable.
6. Click Close.

Mozilla’s Firefox

1. Open Firefox
2. Click the Firefox button at the top.
3. Click add-ons.
4. In the add-ons manager tabwindow, select Extensions or Appearance or Plugins panel.
5. Select the add-on you wish to disable.
6. Click the Disable button.
7. Restart Firefox.

Google’s Chrome

1. Open Chrome
2. Click the wrench icon in the toolbar.
3. Select Tools
4. Select Extensions.
5. Manage your add-ons in the menu.
6. Disable any you wish to remove.

7. Removing Toolbars

Toolbars are one of the biggest slowdowns with browsers. They slow down your web browsing experience in so many ways. One way to keep them from installing is to select the Advance settings when installing a new program. Many programs today have hidden toolbars in the advance settings. Be sure to pay close attention to installation screens and untick/refuse any extra the programs that want to install.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel
3. Select Add/Remove Programs
4. Allow the list to load, scroll down and find the toolbar you wish to uninstall.
5. Click Change/Remove or Remove
6. Uninstall the program with the popup Window.
7. Close any open browsers.

8. Installing SpywareBlaster

SpywareBlaster is a software that scans either Internet Explorer or Firefox for websites that have been watching your IP. Allowing SpywareBlaster to check your browser for spying websites SpywareBlaster will block all found spying sites.

1. Make your way here.
2. On that screen, select Continue Download.
3. Follow the onscreen menus to install SpywareBlaster.
4. Once the program has opened make sure ActiveX Protection is enabled along with Cookie Protection.

9. Installing WOT (Web of Trust) for your Browser

WOT is a small browser add-on that lets you know if a website is safe or evil. Many websites out there have viruses/spyware waiting for you to visit that site. WOT scans millions of websites insuring that they are either save, caution, or evil.

1. Go to www.mywot.com
2. On the home screen click Download free add-on.
3. Follow the onscreen menus to install.
4. Once installed you browser will now tell you whether a website is safe, caution, or do not enter.

a. Green to Go – Everything checks out ok!
b. Yellow for caution – Be careful while searching the website.
c. Red to STOP – Do not click on that link!

10. Always install the latest web browser

Make sure that your browser is always up-to-date. Having an outdated browser could leave security holes for hackers/virus to install them self onto your PC. Up-to-date browsers give you the newest of features and allows new web content such as HTML 5, Flash, JavaScript, etc. to be displayed.

1. Install Internet Explorer – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/download-ie
2. Install Firefox – Mozilla Firefox Web Browser
3. Install Chrome – https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
4. Microsoft Edge for Windows 10 is automatically updated via Windows Updates.
5. Be sure to never have too many tabs opened at once and to keep one browser.

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