Working with Firefox

A browser is a program that provides access to the Internet. On a computer with Windows 10, the Internet browser Edge is installed by default. However, you don’t necessarily need to use this default browser. An alternative is Firefox which is free to download. The article ‘Mozilla Firefox’ describes how to put the browser on your computer.

When Firefox is installed, open the browser by clicking the Startbutton > (Mozilla) Firefox. You will be asked if you want to set Firefox as the default browser. Uncheck for Always run this check when starting Firefox and click on the desired option.

The main task of an internet browser is to visit a website. This can be done via the address bar. That’s the bar at the top of the window.

• Click in the address bar on Enter search term or address.
  
• Enter a web address, for example: seniorweb.nl.
• Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
• The website opens.

The address bar has a dual function. In addition to surfing directly to a website, you can also search the Internet via the address bar.

• Click in the address bar on Enter search term or address.
• Type one or more keywords and press the Enter key.
• The search engine Google then shows suggestions for the search term(s).
• Click on a suggestion to visit its website.

Once Firefox opens, a window with one tab will appear. You use this to navigate the Internet, as described in the paragraphs above. However, do you want to open multiple web pages at once? Then there are two possibilities. Open a whole new window or open additional tabs in the current window.

Open an additional window as follows:

• At the top right of the window, click the three-bar icon .
• click on New window.

In addition to multiple windows, it is therefore also possible to open multiple tabs on a window. With this option you can see at a glance which pages are open.

• Click the plus sign at the top of the window next to the tab.
• The second tab opens. Navigate the internet in the usual way here.
• Click a tab to switch to the other open web page.
• Close a tab by clicking the cross in the tab.
  

A new tab contains all kinds of information, including an extra search bar, Top websites and Highlights. Top websites shows a list of the most frequently visited websites. Under Highlights are recently visited web pages or bookmarks.

These suggestions can be useful, but also annoying. You may not want your browser to show what you were last viewing right away when you open it. Then adjust what shows in a new tab.

• Open a new tab.
• Click the gear icon .
• Uncheck the items you don’t want to use by clicking on them.
• Finally click Ready.

If you often visit the same website, it may be useful to set it as your home page. Every time the browser is opened, this website also opens automatically.

• Type the web address of your favorite web page in the address bar, for example SeniorWeb.nl, and press the Enter key.
• At the top right of the window, click the three-bar icon .
• click on Options.
• Click Home in the left menu.
• In the middle part of the window, under ‘Home’, click Use current page.
• Close the tab via the cross. The home page has been saved.

Use ‘Private Browsing’ to prevent people from viewing browsing history. The history overview, passwords, cookies and other information for visited websites are then not saved.

• At the top right of the window, click the three-bar icon .
• click on New private window.
• Go to the desired website via the address bar or enter a search query.