How to Switch to Firefox From Chrome

Google has been the user favorite since time immemorial; however, its move against ad blockers is extremely concerning for users. This could result in corporate overreaches, which is compelling the users to think about switching to Firefox. This not so popular browser could be a major competitor for Google Chrome as it promises more privacy, security, and usability as compared to Chrome. In case you have made your mind and are planning to switch to Firefox from Chrome, go through this guide.

The Difference

The best thing about Firefox is the easy to understand interface, which can be used even by your grandma. The goal of the Mozilla Foundation with Firefox is to deliver a secure, private, and user-friendly Internet with the added benefit of various options to configure. Plus, this browser provides most of the security and privacy-related updates for free to the standard users. If you are fed up with the surveillance operations run by Google, then Firefox will be the right choice for you. Firefox provides a similar browsing experience as with Chrome but with lesser invasion.

Add-ons and Extensions

Unlike Chrome, Firefox has limited options for add-ons and extensions. Since Google Chrome is presently flourishing globally as a browser, it keeps up its user base by packing all sorts of extensions. On the other hand, Firefox is also adding up to its decent list of extensions. It already includes the popular ones, like UBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus. So, it’s a good idea to confirm that Firefox’s extension library has all the extensions crucial for you. And even if it doesn’t, you can always look for a functional replacement.

How to Import the Browser Data from Google Chrome

Switching the browser is no more difficult, as you can choose to “import” the data to access it all on the new one. This feature will efficiently fetch all the browsing data from Chrome and feed it more efficiently to Firefox. Follow the steps below to prepare yourself to make the switch from Chrome to Firefox!

Step 1. On Firefox’s browser window, navigate to the menu bar and click “File” followed by “Import from Another Browser.”

Step 2. A list will appear; select “Chrome” from it. Don’t forget to exit the Chrome browser before proceeding.

Step 3. Now click on the user profile that you wish to import.

Step 4. On the next window, checkmark both “Bookmarks” and “Cookies,” and then hit the “Continue” button to import all the data.

Syncing Across Devices

The fluid sync process in Google Chrome syncs the browser data in the background via Google account. While this feature is super-convenient, it is invasive as well. But since you are switching to Firefox, you can enable its Sync to import data with a secured account and password layer. Firefox’s Sync will make sure that the items to be imported are encrypted with a unique password preventing others from viewing them, including those who run Mozilla’s servers.

We hope these methods helped you switch from Chrome to Firefox easily.

Source:-    How to Switch to Firefox From Chrome

 

How to Reduce Memory Usage in Firefox

While Mozilla Firefox is a multi-process and secure browser with fast and minimum memory usage, there could be times when it starts hogging up the memory and eventually crashes.  In case you are also noticing an increase in memory usage, you have landed on the right page. Read this article to learn a few methods to identify the reason and solution for high memory usage in Firefox. If you own a Windows machine, you can use the Windows Task Manager to recognize memory hogs. 

Restart Firefox

Keeping the Firefox window On for a long time leads to more usage. To avoid this, you should keep restarting the browser after a certain period. Don’t worry about the windows and tabs that you were working on; you can always save them so that the next time you open the browser window, you will pick up from where you left. Below are the steps to configure Firefox to save previous sessions.

Step 1: Start by navigating to the menu and click  “Options,” followed by “General.”

Step 2: Find and click on the option named “Restore the previous session” under the Startup tab.

Step 3: Exit the preferences window.

Also, note that the above action will not log you out of the websites that had signed into before you closed the browser window. That means if anyone else uses your PC for browsing after, you might get access to your accounts.

Update Firefox

While Firefox is designed to update itself automatically, you can do it manually if you want to. Although the updated version improves the browser performance, you need to restart Firefox to download the updates. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Start by clicking on the hamburger menu at the upper-right, then click “Help (?),” followed by “About Firefox.”

Step 2. This action will make Firefox look for updates and download them automatically.

Step 3. After the updates are downloaded, restart Firefox to finally update it.

In case any problem occurs while downloading the update and it is unable to launch, you can try to use the Mozilla website to download and install the updated version of Firefox again.

Disable Extensions and Themes

The extensions or themes that consume a huge amount of resources end up using more memory than usual. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check on such extensions and themes, as they might be hogging the browser resources.

You can start Firefox in the Safe Mode to check the memory consumption and CPU usage. Running Firefox in the Safe Mode disables the extensions and themes, so if you notice improvements, you have the culprit. You can run Firefox in the Safe Mode by clicking on “Menu > Help > Restart with Add-ons disabled.” If disabling the add-ons didn’t help solve the issue, it is probably caused by plugins or preference settings, as these run actively even in the Safe Mode.

Check Adobe Flash Player

Another possible cause of high memory usage could be the Adobe Flash Player plugin if you have it installed on your PC. To check that, open a web page having a Flash video, then right-click on the player to select Settings. This will bring up the settings window, here, click on the icon under the display panel, and ensure that the option named “Enable hardware acceleration” has been checked.

Another tool that might help you ease the memory consumption and CPU usage is the Firefox hardware acceleration. To turn this On, go to the menu, then click “Options” followed by “General.” Here, make sure the box named “Use recommended performance” is unchecked, and the one named “Use recommended performance” is checked.

Delete the Corrupt Website Settings File

The file named  “content-prefs-sqlite” saved with your profile on Firefox has the settings for every website. And if this file is corrupted, it can lead to increased CPU usage. Therefore, you need to delete this file. Here is how:

Step 1: Start by navigating to the menu window and click “Help,” followed by “Troubleshooting Information.” This will open a new tab. 

Step 2: In this window, open the tab named “Application Basics,” then select “Open Folder.”

Step 3: Here, go to the menu and click on the Exit button, followed by the “content-prefs.sqlite” file to delete it.

Now, when you restart Firefox, the profile folder will be created automatically.

We hope this article helped you identify the cause for increased memory usage and reduce it using the methods explained above.

Source:-   How to Reduce Memory Usage in Firefox

 

Some Best Privacy Web Browsers

Privacy is very important; you never want anyone to hack your details. So it’s crucial to take care of various things while browsing the internet, such as what you are browsing through, how safe it is, etc. However, we have brought some best privacy web browsers for you that can help you browse safely. Let’s get started.

Brave Browser

Brave Browser is a pretty amazing privacy web browser that comes with an incognito mode, an ad blocker, a tracker blocking tool, script blocking, a private search, third-party cookie blocking tools, HTTPS Everywhere, and many more. The app has a pretty clean user interface and is entirely available for free to use. It contains some bugs, but still, the app works nicely.

Cake Browser

Cake Browser is quite a decent privacy web browser that features a full privacy mode, and it never tracks you. Additionally, it provides you with a passcode protection tool that helps you secure your browser from other people, HTTPS Everywhere, a Do Not Track mode, and an ad and a tracker blocking tool. You also get a decent voice search option, tools to change the app’s icon, a dark mode, and an excellent swipe search function. It works great and is entirely available for free to use.

Dolphin Zero

Dolphin Zero is another pretty decent privacy web browser app that boasts a Do Not Track mode that stops the app from storing a bunch of information, a small download size (only 500KB), and an adblocker tool. The app even has some neat features such as themes, gesture controls, and a tool to download video content. It is not a very powerful incognito browser; however, it’s great if you don’t want anyone to see your browsing history or other personal stuff. It’s entirely available for free to use.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser

DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser is quite a popular privacy browser that can block all the hidden third-party trackers, and it even shows you what it has blocked. The app uses its search engine without tracking your online movements, and also HTTPS Everywhere. It does work reasonably well and is entirely available for free to use.

Firefox Focus

Firefox Focus is another very popular privacy web browser that provides you with various useful features such as an adblocker tool, a tracker blocker, a tool to erase your entire browsing history immediately, and many more. The app offers a pretty decent user interface and works quite well. You can use it entirely for free.

Frost+ Incognito Browser

Frost+ Incognito Browser is quite a decent privacy web browser, but it is not very popular. The app offers some decent features, including a tool to delete your browsing data automatically when you exit the app, image and bookmark vaults to hide the stuff you already have downloaded, password protection, and many more. The app even features an ad blocker and a tracker blocker, but they don’t work well. You can use it for free or purchase the app’s premium version that will add some additional features and cost you $2.99.

These are some of the best privacy web browsers that we recommend you to use on your smartphone to protect your private details and browse history. Thank you for reading the article.

Source;-  Some Best Privacy Web Browsers