The Browser Wars returns. Actually no, not really.
Today’s challenge – Browser Security – Direct Link to Guide Page
This one is going to both hurt and be flashback inducing, like tequila shots! Today’s challenge requires you to install Mozilla Firefox and to start using it instead of Google Chrome (or Internet Explorer or Mac Safari). When I first connected to the World Wide Web in 1996 I did so using the Netscape Navigator web browser. It was a brave new world, and I was happy. Microsoft eventually realised that this whole Internet thing wasn’t just a fad and decided that they should make a web browser, an so Internet Explorer was born. And thus the Great Browser War begun. In the end, Microsoft won, Netscape was gobbled up by AOL but not before releasing the source code for Navigator to the Mozilla Foundation, which went on to make the Firefox browser. Over the years Firefox has been good, great, poor and now, it’s on its way back with a vengeance. The current beta version is significantly faster than the previous version, putting it on par with Chrome but with significant privacy advantages. Today we’re going to install Firefox and migrate to it as our default browser, after getting the privacy settings sorted first of course.
Geoffrey: The technical aspect of this challenge was pretty easy, installing and configuring the browser wasn’t difficult. Moving all my bookmarks over wasn’t too bad either. But having to log into my two email accounts each morning? That was tough. But that’s the choice isn’t it – privacy vs convenience.
Juan: And I thought it was tough for me! This man had about 30 tabs that would open each time he opened Chrome. Getting him to restrict that and then have to log into his services each time, yeah that wasn’t easy, until I reminded him of why we were undertaking this whole thing, and why he was paying for it! I’m not sure how long that will last, with the LastPass Firefox add-on it’s made things a little easier, and a lot more secure.
Diana: No real problems here, Diana isn’t a big “net person” in her words, so making Firefox her default and shifting her bookmarks was pretty straightforward. Given how easy this was for her, I charged her with the task of making sure Juan didn’t go back to using Chrome, and checking every time she walked by his comptuer.
Priscilla: Exactly the same as Juan – lots of tabs opening when Chrome opened up, all accounts logged in to and just leaking information everywhere. Given that she is on this ride at the insistence of Juan, I’m not sure if this one is going to stick for Priscilla, but we’ll see.
Previous Days Here:
Day 0 – Introduction to the Team
Day 1 – Installing Operating System and Application Updates
Day 2 – Set Up A Standard User Account
Day 3 – Review Privacy Settings
Day 4 – Setup Private & Secure Email
Days 5&6 – Weekend Project #1
Day 7 – Install a Password Manager
Day 8 – Change Your Passwords
