Switching from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox

We are providing these instructions due to the recent disclosure of severe security exploits in Internet Explorer and the recommendation to switch to an alternative browser, such as Firefox, by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

Getting Mozilla Firefox

To download Firefox, go to getfirefox.com and select "Free Download"
When asked to 'Open the file' or 'Save it to your computer', select 'Open' to begin installation. If you save it to your computer, save the file to your desktop and double-click the Firefox Setup 1.0PR.exe to start the install.

You can also purchase the Firefox 1.0 CD and Guidebook from the Mozilla Store.

Switching is Easy

Firefox imports your existing settings from Internet Explorer. An import wizard will run when you first install Firefox (and is also available later through the File menu, File > Import), and it imports your Favorites, options, cookies, stored passwords, and a variety of other data. This saves you time customizing Firefox to fit your needs.

Browser Plug-ins, Add-ons, and Toolbars

Many of the plug-ins, add-ons, and toolbars that you may have installed for Internet Explorer are also available for Mozilla Firefox, including:

Macromedia Flash Player, Apple QuickTime, Real Networks RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Sun Microsystems Java Plug-in
Google Toolbar

There are also over 50 extensions that are available for Mozilla Firefox to extend the functionality of Firefox even more.

Firefox and Internet Explorer Terminology Differences

Internet Explorer	Firefox
Internet Options	Options
Temporary Internet Files	Cache
Favorites	Bookmarks
Address Bar	Location Bar
Refresh	Reload
Links Bar	Bookmarks Toolbar
Explorer Bar	Sidebar
Copy Shortcut	Copy Link Location

Keyboard Shortcuts

You will notice that Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox share many of the same shortcut keys. For a full list of shortcut keys, see the List of Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts.

Firefox Guidebook

The Mozilla Store offers a Firefox Guidebook to help you learn to use Firefox to its full potential.

Protect yourself from Spyware and Adware
Browse and search the web more quickly with tabs
Stay safe and secure online
The Firefox Guidebook was written by Blake Ross: a member of the Mozilla team.

Mozilla