Browser Setup Guide
Browser Setup: Block Adverts & Cookie Popups, Save Bookmarks, Use a Password Manager
Frustrated with slow-loading websites plastered with ads? Tired of clicking through cookie popups on every site? If you're spending significant time online for work, a poorly configured browser is costing you hours every week.
Why Watch This Video?
If you're sick of intrusive advertising slowing down your browsing, annoying cookie banners interrupting your workflow, and the security risk of weak passwords, this video shows four essential browser improvements that will transform your internet experience.
What You'll Learn
Eliminate Digital Annoyances:
- Block intrusive ads that slow down websites (and your work)
- Automatically dismiss GDPR cookie banners without clicking
- Speed up page loading by blocking tracking scripts
Boost Your Productivity:
- Set up one-click access to frequently used websites
- Sync bookmarks and passwords across all your devices
- Create efficient workflows with strategic bookmark organisation
Improve Your Security:
- Use strong, unique passwords without memorisation
- Choose between built-in Firefox sync and premium password managers
- Migrate gradually from weak passwords to bulletproof security
Why Firefox?
Firefox consistently makes improvements that benefit users, whilst browsers like Chrome often degrade the user experience over time. Firefox remains the recommended choice for a better internet experience.
Essential Browser Extensions
1. Ublock Origin (Ad Blocker)
- Install from: Firefox Add-ons (ensure you get "Ublock Origin", not just "Ublock")
- Benefits: Blocks intrusive advertising and makes websites load much faster
- Performance impact: Can block 190+ scripts on ad-heavy sites like Daily Mail
- Pro tip: Enable in private windows for complete ad blocking
2. I Still Don't Care About Cookies
- What it does: Automatically dismisses GDPR cookie banners
- Why "Still": Choose "I Still Don't Care About Cookies" over the original version
- Result: No more clicking through annoying cookie popups on every website
Bookmark Management Strategy
Effective Bookmarking Techniques:
- Bookmark frequently visited sites in the toolbar for one-click access
- Save deep links to skip multiple clicks (e.g., bookmark login pages directly)
- Organise by purpose: Keep work-related bookmarks easily accessible
- Show toolbar permanently: Right-click bookmark bar → Always show
Example: Instead of bookmarking the homepage and clicking "Login", bookmark the login page directly to save clicks every time.
Password Management
Built-in Firefox Sync:
- Basic solution: Firefox can save and sync passwords across devices
- Setup: Menu → Sync and Save Data → Create Mozilla account
- Syncs: Passwords, bookmarks, and tabs across all Firefox installations
Recommended: Bitwarden
- Why choose Bitwarden: Open-source, free password manager
- Security benefit: One master password protects all others
- Convenience: Random passwords for every site without memorisation
- Migration: Gradually move passwords over - no need to change everything at once
Who This Helps
Small Business Owners spending hours daily browsing for work and research
Digital Workers frustrated with slow, ad-heavy websites interrupting their productivity
Privacy-Conscious Users tired of being tracked across the web by advertising networks
Anyone using weak passwords or constantly logging into the same sites repeatedly
Older Computer Users whose machines struggle with modern, script-heavy websites
Results
These four setup changes will make your internet browsing:
- Faster - No ads or tracking scripts to load
- Less frustrating - No cookie popups to dismiss
- More efficient - Quick access to frequently used sites
- More secure - Strong, unique passwords for every account
This setup is particularly beneficial if you have an older computer, as blocking ads and scripts significantly reduces the processing load.
If you'd like help optimising your digital tools and workflows for maximum productivity, contact me.