How to Optimize Firefox and IE 8’s Performance

At the rate Internet connection speeds are climbing, tips on how to speed up or optimize your Web browser may already be pointless. Dial-up subscriptions have been experiencing a free-fall during the past several months, and it won’t be long when the Smithsonian might allocate a few feet of space for 56K V.90 modems.

While broadband connections have built virtual expressways for data to run on in cyberspace, clogged browsers have created bottlenecks that made “mbps” look no better or different than “kbps.” Bugs and viruses are often blamed for slow browsing speed, but there are cases where faulty settings and unnecessary add-ons have made Web surfing a patience-testing activity.

If your browser is having a hard time painting the page that you want to see in less than 10 seconds, then you might want to consider the following tips:

1.  Deactivate Internet Explorer’s SmartScreen/Phishing Filter. 

While this IE 8 feature is commendable, it also brings down browsing speed. SmartScreen Filter provides protection from phishing sites. It checks each and every Website that you visit and analyzes them for any suspicious features or activities. This gumshoe task is done in the background, so you won’t see IE 8 snooping around on the pages that you’re viewing. However, you’ll definitely notice that it’s busy with something as page or site-flipping becomes slower.

IE 8’s SmartScreen Filter may be a handy booby trap finder, but it can be a drag especially if you know that the Websites you’re visiting are landmine-free. If you’re sure that the pages you’re flipping on are clean and legit, then you might want to deactivate this phishing filter. You can do this by clicking on Tools * SmartScreen Filter, then select Turn Off SmartScreen Filter.

2.  Disable or Deactivate Plugins

Plugins add color and flavor to Firefox and IE. They can make your browsing experience very pleasant. However, installing too many plugins may put extra stress or pressure on your browser’s engine. Extra features mean extra tasks, so don’t go on blaming bugs and viruses for your browser’s laggard performance if ten or more plugins are saddled on its back.

Plugin malfunction is also a common occurrence. Fixing them can be tricky, especially if that particular add-on isn’t very well supported. Your best or only option in this situation is to disable the plugin. You can do this in Firefox by choosing Tools * Add-ons, then Disable. To open Internet Explorer without the extras, choose Start * All Programs * Accessories * Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

3.  Check for Updates

Some browser issues are caused by faulty design. The makers of IE and Firefox try to make up for their shortcomings by releasing occasional patches and updates. Finding and installing patches on Internet Explorer is already unnecessary as updates are done automatically. However, you may have to do this task manually in Firefox. Scouring for updates is easy, though. Just click on Help * Check for Updates.