Browser Extensions: Make Your Internet Browser More Awesome

Browser Extensions and Add-Ons

When you first pulled your cell phone out of the box, you probably spent the next few hours making it uniquely yours. From selecting ring tones to choosing a photo or theme wallpaper, or downloading apps to make your Smartphone more productive or fun, the customization transformed it from “a phone” to “your phone.” You can tailor your Web surfing experience in a similar way with browser extensions and add-ons. Most are free and they allow you to personalize the look, functionality and features of Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari or Opera.

As the originator of browser add-ons, Mozilla reports that more than 85% of Firefox users have installed add-ons. Yet if you’ve never explored customizing your browsing, you aren’t alone – I was surprised to see the huge number of add-ons available through Chrome and Firefox. Firefox boasts at least 25,000 developers with add-ons and over 150,000 user-created collections. Chrome is gaining on Firefox’s numbers and while Internet Explorer offers a less extensive collection, it has enough variety to satisfy most users.

Some of the most popular categories of extensions are those that support productivity, security, interface personalization, shopping, games, integration with social media, and streaming of news and videos. Here’s where to find the add-ons supported by the most popular browsers:
Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/
Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore
Internet Explorer: http://www.iegallery.com/PinnedSites and select “Add-Ons”

Whenever I’m presented by an overwhelming selection of programs to consider, I sort by most popular. At least I can trust that a million or so users can’t all be wrong. Highest rated can be deceiving: a five star program rated by 20 users isn’t as sure a bet as a 4 ½ star program rated by 1,100 users.

With thousands of add-ons available to personalize and/or improve so many different aspects of web browsing, it would be impossible to create a comprehensive list. Here are a few of my favorites.

The most downloaded add-ons across the board are ad-blocking programs that strip banner ads, block pop-ups and disable video ads on sites like YouTube. Adblock Plus and Adblock (oddly enough, not the same program) are the two most popular ad-disabling extensions. Both programs are available for Firefox and Chrome.

As someone with a relatively bad memory who is also a proponent of improving online security, I like LastPass, an extension for Firefox and Chrome (there is a version that supports Internet Explorer but it’s not free). It stores and encrypts passwords for websites and can pre-fill forms securely, allowing you to create more challenging passwords without having to memorize them all.

I surf the net a lot, for work and fun, and inevitably find content that I find intriguing but don’t have time to read right then. Instead of adding yet another bookmark that I’m sure to never return to, I use the Readability Chrome add-on. When I come upon an article that I find interesting, I just click on the little icon at the top of my Chrome toolbar that looks like an easy chair. “Read Now” strips all the superfluous text, ads and sponsored links to give me an easy to read page. “Read Later” sends the article to my Readability account, or “Send to Kindle” lets me read it on the go on my eReader. Users of other browsers can download Readability’s “Bookmarklets” (http://readability.com/apps) to achieve similar results.

Greasemonkey on Firefox or Stylish on Chrome allow you to customize the look and performance of web pages you visit. These popular add-ons allow you to change the appearance while improving browsing on Facebook, Google, or many other popular sites.

Finally, the bargain hunter in me loves Shopping Assistant, an add-on available through Chrome, Firefox, Opera or Safari. Whatever product you’re shopping for online, this toolbar will show you similar products at other online retailers, such as Amazon, eBay, or Walmart. It even gives you an Amazon price history so you can see if waiting to buy could save you a few bucks.

One note of warning: don’t go overboard. Installing too many add-ons can slow your browser’s performance. If your surfing gets sluggish, disable or uninstall a few.

The Perils of Online Free Trial Offers

Free Trial Offers: Don't Get Scammed!

Free trial offers, particularly those that require your credit card to sign up, are like internet quicksand. The bright, shiny “Try Now for Free!” emblazoned all over the webpage lures you in. You think, “30 days is a long time. I can test it out and if it’s not something I use I can just cancel.” Before you know it, though, you spot the charge on your credit card statement for the service you forgot to use and forgot to cancel.

The Better Business Bureau included “Not So “Free” Trial Offers” on their list of Top Online Scams (www.bbb.org/top-online-scams/). Many companies make it easy to sign up and hard to cancel. Some will continue to charge credit cards even after attempts to discontinue service. But there are ways to ensure that your free trial remains charge and hassle free.



In an article written for PCWorld.com, Tom Spring signed up for and then attempted to quit 40 free trials that required a credit card number. What he discovered was troublesome. Nearly half buried the instructions for how to cancel, requiring lengthy searching to find a path to service termination. Once contact info was found, in some cases web-links to cancel online were broken, phone numbers were disconnected and email addresses incorrect. Almost a quarter required a phone call to stop automatic billing. In most cases this allowed a salesperson an opportunity to attempt to upsell continued service.
Even if you manage to cancel service before you’re charged, you’ll likely continue to be regaled by email offers from the company and their affiliates now that they have your contact information.

If you’ve read my previous articles, you’ve probably noticed that I’m a girl who flocks to free. I would never tell you to shun all free trial offers. Instead, take a few precautions before you hand over your credit card to a company you aren’t ready to commit to.

Do your homework in advance. Search the site for cancellation steps before you sign up for a trial. Pull up the site’s Terms of Service or FAQ section and use your browser’s search function to look for the keyword “cancel.” If you’re still hesitant, do a web search for “cancel XX” to see if others have reported difficulty.

Pick your card wisely

If you do elect to supply a credit card, don’t choose a debit card. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover have consumer protections in place that will make it easier to cancel charges through your credit card company should you have difficulty terminating service with the vendor.

To be extra safe, consider picking up a pre-paid Visa, Mastercard or American Express gift credit card in a small denomination. Or, inquire with your credit card company as to if they offer single-use card numbers that will allow for a onetime charge without supporting recurring charges. PayPal offers a similar product. Be sure to confirm that use of the number is limited to one time as some card companies allow multiple charges from the same vendor. You can always update your account with a regular card once you’ve decided to commit.

Cancel at least a day early

It’s tough to determine exactly when a free trial will end. Periods typically last calendar days, so the 7-day trial you sign up for on Tuesday at 8pm will likely end Monday (not the following Tuesday at 8pm as it would seem). Don’t chance it. Set a calendar reminder for at least a full 24-48 hours before the trial is likely to end and decide if you want to continue service before you’re billed for it.

Check to make sure you’re getting the best price before you commit

Tom Spring found that some companies charge a higher annual rate to their free trial customers than those customers that sign up without a trial. If there’s a better price to be had, cancel and call the sales department (it’s almost always easy to find a phone number to call to sign up) to ask them to extend to you the lowest possible price.

Photo used by permission Better Business Bureau

Comparison Shop Your Life

Great Ways to Comparison Shop Online

While all the money-saving forums suggest you take a look at your latte habit to trim a few dollars from your budget, it's good to take stock of the things you pay for regularly to make sure you're getting a fair shake. This includes everything from your prescription medication coverage to your car insurance. We all know that prices continue going up. As much as we can't stop them, at least we can make sure what we're paying is fair.

Medical and Dental

I don't know about you, but I haven't got a clue what medical or dental procedures should cost these days, except that they're usually enough to empty my bank account. Health Care Blue Book (www.healthcarebluebook.com) can help. It's a free consumer guide to help you find fair prices for everything from surgeries to laboratory tests, tailored to your area based on your zip code. There's also a mobile app for iPhone and Android so you can price compare on the fly when you're sitting in your doctor's or dentist's office.

Prescriptions

Every month when I pick up my prescriptions, even when they’re covered by insurance, I wonder if I should be taking my business across the street for a better price. Short of calling around town, prescriptions can be as much as 90% cheaper when purchased online. PharmacyChecker (www.pharmacychecker.com) can help you decide which pharmacy is right for you. It's an independent evaluator of online pharmacies, designed to help you save money on your most-used medications. Compare prices of individual medicines, including shipping, and link directly to pharmacies through the website. They even offer pet medications!

Gas

Before you head out to gas up the car, check GasBuddy (http://gasbuddy.com/). Enter your zip code for a list of the cheapest gas prices in your area, reported by users like you who update the site on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. Update the site yourself to help out your neighbors and earn points used to enter contests for free gas cards.

Phones

If you’re still using a landline, compare phone service rates using ABTolls (www.abtolls.com). Use your monthly bill to tailor the recommended plan to your specific needs. Enter the number of calls you make monthly and the minutes you use for long distance and local calling. Obtain information and advice regarding how to read your current long distance bill and avoid telecom scams.

Cellular services

LetsTalk (www.letstalk.com) helps you sort out all the cell phones and service plan options before you renew your contract. Purchase through their site or simply use them to shop around. Another site for all-things-cellular is Wirefly (www.wirefly.com). With a huge selection of the latest cell phones from all major carriers, you can renew your wireless contract without ever leaving your easy chair. Their satisfaction guarantee assures you can test out your new phone and service for up to 14 days before you commit.

Insurance

Insurance for your home, car or boat seems to go up every year, even if you haven't made a claim. It doesn't hurt to check out other companies to make sure you're getting the best deal. InsureMe (www.insureme.com) connects you with insurance agents in your area, helping you obtain free insurance quotes and eliminating the timely process of calling around yourself. Enter your information once and receive quotes from all the big names: State Farm, American Family, Farmers, etc. Don't forget to bundle your auto and home owners insurance for extra savings.

All else

Comparison Shopping.com (www.comparisonshopping.com) has links to comparison sites for just about anything you’re in the market for, from automotive to travel. Whether you’re looking to compare daycare providers or cable TV services, if a comparison site exists for the product or service you’ll find a link to it here. Enter what you’re looking for in the handy search function for a quick list of links to sites offering a roundup of options.

Photo used by permission Polycart

How to Stay Safe Online

Being Safe Online Made Easy

A lot of people these days have two lives: the one that they live using their body and a second one that only exists online. Facebook alone has more than 800 million accounts, which is over twice the population of the United States. However, not all of these accounts are owned by people who are looking out for you, much like in the physical world. There's no need to worry, though. It's very unlikely that you will be the subject of a specifically targeted attack, but there are some steps that you should take so that you won't ever be tricked by some booby-trap set for innocent wanderers on the internet. The first and most important rule that you should always follow is simple: don't ever assume something is secured unless you've been assured by a reliable source. With that in mind, here are some tips for each area that needs security.

Email:

Probably everyone has fallen for a fake email at some point in their life. Even us Nerds have been duped by a particularly convincing email - hackers can send emails from the accounts of our friends make it seem as if they are recommending a virus-infected link. If you get an unsolicited email from someone that you would normally trust, but seems a little out of place, it doesn't hurt to double-check with them by emailing back or texting just to make sure that the content is legitimate.

When sending an email to a lot of people who don't all know each other, make sure to put yourself in the TO: field, and then put all of the other addresses in the "BCC" field, which stands for "Blind Carbon Copy." This will ensure that the email addresses don't get passed on to others. Just like you shouldn't share others' physical addresses with strangers, you should make sure that you don't accidentally spread email addresses around. Make sure to pass this tip on to all your friends!

Web browsing:

One good tip to always keep in mind when using the internet is that once entered online, data is never truly destroyed. Be careful with any pictures you upload - a good tip to keep in mind is that if you wouldn't want your kids to stumble across it, you don't want to put it online. And if you do post something sensitive to a site that you trust, make a note of it so that if it ever comes up, you know where it came from.
When you do enter information like credit cards online, always look up at the address bar before proceeding. Instead of the normal "Http" before the address, it should say "Https." This means that the connection is secured. While you may not actually need the security, it assures you that the site is legitimate and that the information can't be passed on without your express permission.

Your information is tracked on websites that you visit via files called cookies. While they are helpful for day-to-day activities, you should delete them regularly so that if you ever succumb to malware, it can't access all your sensitive information.

Passwords:

While it may be much simpler to have one password that you use across every site, this can compromise every account you use. If malicious software is able to get a hold of one of your passwords, the hacker can gain access to all your information, including your banking account. It is best to use a different password for every site, but if you can't keep track of all of them, use different ones for your financial information than the ones you use for social networks and the like.

If you share a computer with other people, you shouldn't keep your passwords stored there. Even if you trust the other users, you don't want that information to leak out from an accident. And the same goes for writing down passwords - it's fine to do, but keep them where others can't see them.

General internet use tips:

You should lock your computer when you leave it if you work in an environment with others - and don't leave your laptop unattended when you can help it, especially in public environments.

When you're not using the wireless capabilities on your devices, you should switch off the adapter. This will both save battery and increase your security.

Finally, when you decide to get rid of an electronic device, always make sure to get rid of any data stored on it. Whether selling it or disposing it, you want to make sure that your data doesn't fall into the hands of someone you don't know.

We've posted a few tips in the past on how to stay safe on a variety of social networking sites. If you've missed those, check them out here:

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

LinkedIn

Photo used by permission moneyblognewz

Staying Safe on Google+

For those of us who have opted to use Google+, there are already a great many options such as circles that help keep your information where you want it. But here are a few tips on making sure you have complete control of your data.

Apple's New iPad Mini

Apple Unveils Star of the Show: iPad Mini

In a much-anticipated event, Apple today released a spread of new devices, highlighting and improving the smallest form factors that the company has become well-known for. Two of the devices were additions to their iPad line of tablets.

With the first viewing, our inner Nerd died a little… The iPad 4 is relatively unremarkable. Except for the fact that they have ditched the "new iPad" branding in favor of numbers again, there is little to differentiate this device from its predecessors.

So how do they get away with calling it new and improved? They did add a faster A6X processor, HD front-facing camera for “Facetime”, and a Lightning connector, which made its first appearance on the newest iPhone. Other than these minor changes, which come as a sort of slap in the face to new iPad owners, there are few improvements. So unless you just have to have the latest or are in the market anyways, experts say – wait.
However, the event finally caught our eye with the new addition to their tablet line. The iPad mini is the star of today's show. The iPad mini has a 7.9 inch screen, down from the 9.7 inch screen of its big brother. The spin, this smaller screen has the same number of pixels as the iPad 2, which makes for a higher pixel density, and therefore crisper display. The device can be held in one hand, and contains all the features of the other iPads, down to the processing speed.

With the decent and competitive price of just $329, the iPad mini promises to pose a serious competition to the other 7-inch tablets, such as the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. Its construction is of more solid materials and has a smaller bezel, which translates to a higher device to screen ratio. Early reports are mostly positive. Both devices become available on November 2, just in time for the holiday gadget gifting season.

Apple's New iMac

iMac: “Sleek” Makeovers Unveiled: Apple’s Newest Additions

Topping today's announcements, Apple unveiled a number of new and sleek devices, including a major update to both their laptop and desktop lines.

Popularity gets a makeover: The first device is an addition to the MacBook Pro line. The "world's most popular notebook" now comes in a 13-inch size with retina display for crisp and highly detailed graphics, which also reduce eye strain. Coming in at a resolution of 1680x1050, the laptop is able to handle an impressive amount of computing, including HD video while rending audio and photo graphics. The device adheres to the same rigorous design standards as previous iterations, and is constructed out of aluminum and glass.


“Hybrid” is the New Vogue: Speaking of storage, Apple also introduced their new "Fusion Drive," which is a hybrid drive that contains both a solid-state drive for increased speed and a traditional hard drive for maximum storage. All new iMacs can be configured to contain the new Fusion Drive.

Can’t wait for the new line of sleek Apple products? The 21.5-inch iMac will be available in November, and the 27-inch version in December, just in time for the holidays.