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How To Setup And Configure Mozilla Firefox on Ubuntu 16.04

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Sleeping firefox

I cannot imagine my computer or mobile device withour Mozilla Firefox. It sounds strange, but Firefox is not my default browser. I am a Chrome user. Because Chrome is fast, offers a great Javascript engine and all Google services I use (Gmail, Google Drive and more) are supported better with Chrome. Additionally, Chrome has its own built-in Flash plugin, which updated with each Chrome update.

However, everytime I need to check a web page as a web developer, I use Firefox. Because Firefox is the most reliable browser and the most compatible with W3C standards. Additionally, Java plugin will run in Firefox, but it is not supported in Chrome anymore.

Mozilla Firefox is installed by default on Ubuntu 16.04 Here is how I configured my Firefox:

  • menu → Preferences
  • menu → Add-ons

Preferences: General

Here I set Downloads folder

Preferences: Privacy

Here I set “Clear history when Firefox closes” (available on Desktop and Firefox for Android)

and from “Settings” button:

This setting can be considered excessive. But it is necessary (imho) at least in laptops, smartphones and tablets. If you use Cloud Storage services and the portable device is lost or stolen, it is critical (in terms of security) these applications to require from the user to provide logins.

Preferences: Sync

Use Firefox Sync to synchronize Bookmarks etc

I prefer to NOT save/sync passwords.

Add-ons: Extensions

This is the Add-ons Manager: Extensions just after Basic setup

I setup only Firebug (useful for web development):

Add-ons: Plugins: Java plugin

You need Java plugin in websites which use Java applets.

OpenJDK

If you use OpenJDK

sudo apt-get install icedtea-7-plugin

For version 8:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:maarten-fonville/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install icedtea-8-plugin

Oracle JDK plugin

If you use Oracle JDK (like me), locate libnpjp2.so and make a symbolic link to mozilla plugins. In my case:

mkdir ~/.mozilla/plugins
cd ~/.mozilla/plugins
ln -s /opt/jdk1.8.0_92/jre/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so .

As the plugin is not commonly used, I set “Ask to activate” status.

Verify using one of

Add-ons: Plugins: Adobe Flash Plugin (Shockwave Flash)

It is installed by default, but it is an old outdated version.

Adobe has stopped support of Adobe Flash for Linux, but recently revived Flash for Firefox again. See this post.

So, enable the multiverse repository

and then:

sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

Google Chrome has its own integrated Flash Plugin, which I prefer to use. So, I set “Ask to activate” status in Firefox.

Verify using one of

So, this is the Add-ons Manager: Plugins just after Basic setup

and here is how I configured it:

Thank you, Firefox

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