Firefox Add-ons for Internet Security

Posted • December 23, 2009 • 2 Comments

If You Use Firefox You Need to Check Out these Add-ons to Enhance Your Internet Security

Since I have been discussing Firefox extensions and plugins I thought this information on enhanced security would be appropriate.

I ran across an article on TechRepublic about Firefox and enhancing internet security.

Compromising Web sites has become cybercriminals’ favorite method of getting malware installed on computers. … ways to beef-up Firefox and make it more difficult for the bad guys.

While I don’t use all of these, I do use quite a few. I would suggest you take a look at them for your particular use.
(Post from Search Engine Optimizician.)
Ten Firefox Add-ons for Your Internet Security

1. 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. NoScript allows you to decide whether JavaScript, Java, and other content are allowed to run.



2. BetterPrivacy
   “BetterPrivacy is a safeguard which protects from usually not deletable LSO’s on Google, YouTube, Ebay… ” The best way to control Flash cookies. Flash cookies are difficult to remove, do not expire, and can re-create deleted HTTP cookies.



3. AdBlock Plus
   “AdBlock Plus is not a security add-on.” Ever been annoyed by all those ads and banners on the internet that often take longer to download than everything else on the page? Install Adblock Plus now and get rid of them.



4. Perspectives
   Anything that helps to reduce the likelihood of TLS/SSL attacks (think identity theft) is important. “We will try to keep the version on addons.mozilla.org up-to-date, and plan on eventually submitting the extension for a review in order to no longer be in the Firefox addons sandbox.”



5. SSL Blacklist
   Detects weak or revoked certificates. Both should be a concern. SSL Blacklist also checks if the certificate was built using the vulnerable MD5 hash algorithm, another huge security weakness.



6. WOT
   “WOT ranks search entries according to their trustworthiness, vendor reliability, privacy, and child safety.” Web of Trust warns you about risky sites that cheat customers, deliver malware or send spam.



7. PhishTank SiteChecker
   “PhishTank SiteChecker is a Firefox add-on using an API provided by PhishTank and its active anti-phishing community.” PhishTank SiteChecker gives Firefox users a way to bring the community judgment of PhishTank into their browser, for extra protection against phishing…



8. TrackerWatcher
   The Trackerwatcher add-on allows you to see what’s going on behind the scenes. “TrackerWatcher shows you what companies may watch what you do on any web site and how they promise to handle your information.”



9. BugMeNot
   BugMeNot’s main purpose is to eliminate advertising spam from Web sites that require registering. “Don’t register any more! Search for public logins in BugMeNot. Enter the URL in the search box. “



10. Xmarks
    While not a security add-on Xmarks is still very helpful and it makes a total of 10 . It will allow you to keep your bookmarks synchronized on several computers without any hastle.

While they may slow you down until you get them set they do offer quite a bit of extra protection.
Enjoy!

Late,
Gary Pool

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