jafo105 39057 Report post Posted March 27, 2014 I use Google Chrome most of the time. I occasionally use Internet Explorer and Fire Fox, but they take to long to load for some reason. Then after about an hour or two they will freeze. Lately I am have problems with Google Chrome freezing and many videos don't load. Please share your comments and experiences. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Have you check for viruses or spyware? Are you running the latest version for the browsers? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meaghan McLeod 179664 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I use regular google - but it keeps getting hijacked, so I have to go and reset..... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I use regular google - but it keeps getting hijacked, so I have to go and reset..... Hijacked how? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warped88 5815 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I'm running Windows 8.1 and decided to switch back to IE after years with Firefox and Chrome (sometimes Opera). Google has just Pi$$ed me off too many times and their browser is just becoming a bloated mess, in my opinion. Since I've started to rely on Microsoft's services a lot more of the last year, IE made sense. Plus, it's no longer the horrible browser it once was. Meaghan, without knowing exactly what's happening, I'd say you're visiting an infected site/link and you need new/better virus software. Google Chrome is actually pretty good at protecting itself, I'm surprised you're having the issue.... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meaghan McLeod 179664 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I agree - I need a better virus/malware software installed. I browse sites to download music, and wow, they really bugger me up at times. So, I have to keep resetting it to an earlier date when I know it was fine. I'm going to have to buy the software, cause I find the online ones not that great. I suspect they are the ones who keep hijacking me. Probably should read the pop ups instead of just hitting ok.......he he 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warped88 5815 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Probably should read the pop ups instead of just hitting ok.......he he That would be 90% of yer problem right there. ;) 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Probably should read the pop ups instead of just hitting ok... There is a setting is all browsers to stop the pop-ups. And yes, you shouldn't be clicking ok all the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boomer 33202 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Used to be an IE user, but switched to Firefox a number of years ago. As I am now using Win8 I might give Explorer another try. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ice4fun 78407 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I use lots of different browsers and don't really have a preference. To be honest since I purchased the BlackBerry Z30 a few month's ago I seldom use anything else. The browser on the Z30 is excellent. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jafo105 39057 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I am using Windows 7 and it does weekly updates. I am using the latest versions of IE (11.0.4), Fire Fox (28.0) and Google Chrome (33.0.1750.154 m). I also do weekly checks to ensure they have the most recent updates. I am using McAfee Security Centre (12.8 ) and McAfee Anit-Virus and Anti-Spyware (16.8 ). As well as, a few other McAfee products. They are provided by my ISP and they are updated weekly. I am not a big fan of any thing provided by an ISP, but the price is right - FREE. Also note that I have not installed any new programs since last spring (2013). My browser problems started in February of this year. Around the same time I also noticed that none of the website icons match any of their website addresses. The links are NOT hijacked so I just ignore it. According to the Windows Control Panel, Action Center, and Security Center, everything is working fine. I will be inheriting my mother's old laptop (which I bought for her two years ago). She passed away in January. I am probably going to have to do a clean install and go from there. The laptop is five or six years old and is showing signs of wear. The left hing is broken, some keys need to be pressed twice, the power light rarely turns on, etc... Besides all that, everything else works fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I agree - I need a better virus/malware software I use Avast, Malwarebytes, and Spybot. Instead of using System Restore try running the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. It gets rid of most stuff. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Around the same time I also noticed that none of the website icons match any of their website addresses. What icons are showing? As for the old laptop, I would suggest installing a Ubuntu. It's a version of Linux that is very popular. You will be surprised how fast the laptop will be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jafo105 39057 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 I use Avast, Malwarebytes, and Spybot. Instead of using System Restore try running the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. It gets rid of most stuff. I run that at least once a month, but it never finds anything. Additional Comments: What icons are showing? As for the old laptop, I would suggest installing a Ubuntu. It's a version of Linux that is very popular. You will be surprised how fast the laptop will be. All the system icons are showing and work perfectly. I use Ubuntu on a desktop PC I built several years ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300292 Report post Posted March 28, 2014 Running Windows 8 with IE on a HP2000 Notebook Don't really like Windows 8 but getting used to it Windows Update set to update automatically Likewise HP has updates, also set to update automatically RG 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest N***he**Ont**y Report post Posted March 29, 2014 I use Chrome as it gives me little issues compared to Exp11 which isso slow and picks up malware exploits. FireFox is to slow to load in my opnion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluesman5 150 Report post Posted April 3, 2014 I use NoScript with Firefox to control what scripts can be executed from what sites. This provides granular control over what gets run against your machine. This tool has a fairly steep leaning curve while you "learn" just what scripts are required to actually use the web site of interest. You would be surprised at the source of many scripts executed when visiting web sites. Often these scripts are potentially damaging or just annoying - spam, ads, and so on. Free music download and free porn are prime vectors for malicious software / scripts, so you need to be careful. I run both Firefox and Google Chrome on Linux, and just don't have these sort of issues, but this not for everyone. Good luck 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Automatic updates can be problematic. They often load programs that significantly slow down your machine, and they often load programs that are of no benefit to the specific user. For instance, Microsoft is constantly pestering me to update Media Player and several other programs that I do not use. Often these programs start up when you start your computer. This makes your startup time much longer and eats up your processor and memory. Go through your startup menu on msconfig and see how many things are going on. I went through Task Manager and turned off dozen or more things. Dear Microsoft...there is no need for my clock to be corrected hourly. Adobe...there is no need for my pdf reader to be running if I am not looking at a pdf. It can be a bit more work to do custom updates but it is worth it in my opinion. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ou**or**n Report post Posted April 6, 2014 I run Chrome with AdBlock and Ghostery add-ins to block ads and placement of tracking cookies. Blocking ads greatly speeds up website load times and you can configure it to allow ads on sites where they may be of interest like say here ;) I still run Windows 7 but I recently setup a Windows 8.1 machine for my dad. I set it to start in desktop mode and installed Start8 to give a fully functioning start menu. I then used further settings in Start8 to block the Windows 8 specific apps. The result is actually quite good. I also use TeamViewer when he calls for help. It is free when used for personal use like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phaedrus 209521 Report post Posted April 9, 2014 I run Chrome with AdBlock and Ghostery add-ins to block ads and placement of tracking cookies. Blocking ads greatly speeds up website load times and you can configure it to allow ads on sites where they may be of interest like say here ;) Block flash, too. And make sure flash is configured to not store stuff on your machine; otherwise it can track you across browsers and across websites... I still run Windows 7 but I recently setup a Windows 8.1 machine for my dad. I set it to start in desktop mode and installed Start8 to give a fully functioning start menu. I then used further settings in Start8 to block the Windows 8 specific apps. The result is actually quite good. In related news... M$ is bringing the start menu back :) http://mashable.com/2014/04/02/universal-windows-apps/ 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RubJunky 1954 Report post Posted April 18, 2014 In my business I need/test all browsers on all platforms for web design, I prefer Firefox latest updates over any other and yes although IE has made huge improvements I can't get my head around how the designers at MS rush to push a product out to please shareholders instead of consumers. I use ESET Smart security 7 in my opinion is one of the best all-in-one virus protection software's (yearly $$ for updates) but reasonable, it even has Anti-Theft software to track a stolen laptop. I use 8.1 and with some patience I have been able to make it run like WIN7, turn off all the snazzy win8 functions and download the free classic menu app to make your start button function like win7. good luck, my 2 cents. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HonestPete 686 Report post Posted May 12, 2014 I've used DOS/Windows since 1982, Unix since 1992 & Mac since 2009. Never going back to Windows ever again, unless my next company requires it. I only use Unix/Linux and Macs. The browsers that I use the most are: FireFox, Chrome, Canary & Safari. Hope to try the others when I have some free time. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatrickGC 10792 Report post Posted July 1, 2014 I use Firefox with the NoScript add on and a variety of other utilities depending on what platform is in use at the moment. [Linux and the various varieties of Windows.] In recent releases however, as it relates to the Windows platform, Firefox does have performance issues. This has turned out to me quite something to track down, hopefully Mozilla will address this soon because it is definitely not an isolated case and on older machines can spontaneously bring the whole system to a crawl. PatrickGC 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted July 2, 2014 I have a tablet from work with Windows 8 and I hate it. Home computer is 7 and I like that. I'd like to convert my work tablet to 7 but I'd probably get in trouble. You know how IT guys get mad if you fiddle around with "their" stuff. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lo***si*****e Report post Posted August 31, 2014 For IOS users (iPhone and iPad), Opera has recently come out with a neat browser called Opera Coast. It works slightly differently from other browsers, but if you spend a few minutes setting up for your specific requirements, it is quite powerful. I use it to quickly fire up and check a bunch of news sites that I monitor. I still find myself using Chrome (on IOS) for other browser chores. On Coast's web site (http://operacoast.com/) I don't see any mention of versions for other mobile platforms yet. On the desktop (Mac) I mainly float between setting Chrome and Firefox as the default browser. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites