Makes Most Web Sites HTTPS in Firefox
Posted on July 30, 2010 at 5:40 am
We are all concerned about privacy on the internet. Most everyone knows not to enter a credit card number on a site that does not start with HTTPS://, but what about all the passwords and other personal data we enter throughout the Web?
Identities are stolen from more than just credit card numbers. Besides, does the entire world really need to know what books we buy on Amazon?
HTTPS Everywhere is a Firefox plugin that works with most Web sites to add an extra layer of encryption for safer, more private browsing. To start using it, download HTTPS Everywhere from Electronic Frontier Foundation. Once installed, restart Firefox.
To set which sites should appear in HTTPS, click Tools>Add-ons in Firefox.
Select HTTPs-Everywhere from the list of Add-ons, then click Options.
Check the box next to each site you want to load in HTTPS, or click Enable All.
Click OK after making your selections. The list that comes with HTTPS Everywhere only includes a few of the most popular Web services. This is largely because the plugin is still in beta.
Advanced users can write their own XML rulesets for which sites should load in HTTPS by following the directions on the HTTPS Everywhere Web page. The directions are fairly easy, but please note that even with a ruleset, some sites will not work well in HTTPS. Experimentation is key.
Overall, HTTPS Everywhere is easy to use and works well with the Web sites that come preloaded. Using our own rulesets proved touch-and-go. We hope more preloaded sites are added when the plugin emerges from beta.
» Filed Under Computer Tips
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