Un-F@#k Facebook

I was logged into Facebook recently to search for and show someone something I saw posted. The person that was with started to freak! They said, “How come your Facebook looks so much different? Where’s all the other shtuff on the pages?”

I explained I use the F.B Purity extension (Available on Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers too) Formally called Facebook Flufbuster. It has been my go to extension to un-f@#k Facebook for some time now. I recommend it to many but they often don’t take the time to read the guides/how to’s on their site or just can’t get it to work as well I they saw on my browser(s).

So for those that are interested or care here you go.

Here’s a view from my timeline:

clip_image002

Simple easy to read posts and no extemporaneous crap or distractions. Below are my current exact settings:

clip_image004

clip_image006

clip_image008

clip_image009

clip_image011

clip_image012

clip_image013

clip_image014

WebEx in Chrome security flaw

Recently there have been some pretty big security issues found with several browser plug-ins. Like this huge one for the WebEx in Chrome issue

It is best that, if you must use them, you manually update them. Please always keep your stuff updated.

To force update Chrome extensions:

Open Chrome, then got to Settings – clicking on the three vertical dots in the top right of Chrome.

clip_image003

clip_image005

Then click on Extensions:

clip_image007

Next Click on ‘Developer mode’ then click on “Update extensions now”

clip_image010

For Firefox you need to update addons and plug-ins:

clip_image012orclip_image014

Then

clip_image016

And then

clip_image018

Critical February Security Patches

Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday is next week. And it’s going to be VERY important

Microsoft’s security patches are due to be released at 1:00pm EST on Tuesday 12th February. [Read more here from MS  ]

The longer you take to update the security patches on your computer, the greater potential risk you could find yourself in!!

In all, 57 separate security flaws are waiting to be fixed.

According to Microsoft, every single version of Internet Explorer – from version 6 to version 10 – needs to be patched, as they are vulnerable to exploitation by drive-by attacks.

That means that simply visiting a booby-trapped webpage could silently infect your computer with malware – hijacking your PC for a hacker’s own ends.

According to an advisory from the software giant, five of the 12 security updates have been given Microsoft’s highest severity rating of “critical”.

Also note that Adobe has again released critical security patches to it’s Flash Player software. [read here]

Even if you are not on a Windows/Microsoft Operating System you should still make sure your Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave  and Oracle’s Java software  and Browser Plug-ins are up to date!

Be safe out there! MMm K.

Facebook Timeline Fix with Social Fixer

OK. I was asked again about Facebook’s Timeline and how to ‘fix it’ and make the experience more like ‘it used to be’. I’ll tell you now: You are stuck with Facebook Timeline – it’s Facebook’s world and what they say goes in their world. (for the most part anyways). And Facebook says EVERYONE is getting Timeline!

BUT you can Un-Fack the Timeline and make it more ‘enjoyable’ by using the Social Fixer extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera or Safari. Get it here. I just posted about this a couple of days ago but seems not many actually read it. Hope you will this time. The folks at Lifehacker put up a quick and simple video of it’s use here:

 

So get the extension, watch the video and experiment and see if this help you.

I have also written numerous articles on using extension/add-ons for Browsers – specifically Firefox and Chrome. Since so many of us spend so much time interacting with the world via a Browser window, it’s seems utterly silly that most won’t or don’t customize or tweak that window for more productivity, security and enjoyment. Maybe, many of you just don’t know what you can do. But now you do. So go search through my blog to find those other tips!

While I’m here let me give you some other links on how to better secure your Facebook Profile and enhance your personal security.

Techworld has a VERY good article here. I agree with, and do everything they mention.

Have fun and stay safe out here. 🙂

Peace.

SocialFixer fixes Facebook replaces BetterFacebook

Better Facebook extension/Addon has been updated/changed to ‘SocialFixer’

This extension makes Facebook SO much more useable!! It’s just great. I hope you check it out.

If you previously had the Better Facebook! extension installed remove it.

Then go here and install the new version called Social Fixer for your preferred browser(s).

Install the Social Fixer Extension (for Firefox, Chrome, Opera etc.) Then go to https://facebook.com You will then be prompted with the configuration wizard.

Here is what the wizard looks like and here are the settings I chose.

clip_image002

clip_image004

clip_image006

clip_image008

clip_image010

I don’t like the ‘Light Box’ feature, so I choose to Disable Light Box Viewer:

clip_image012

I’m also fine with the Default theme

clip_image014

clip_image016

I also went in and made more changes.

You will see a little ‘Wrench’ where you can access your ‘Social Fixer’ settings:

clip_image018

Here you can REALLY TWEAK away.

clip_image020

My advice is to make one or two changes at a time and sees how they work for YOU.

clip_image022

I hope that helps some of you wrest control of you Facebook back. Peace out.

More on fixing Facebook

I wrote about using the Firefox (Chrome works too) add-on Greasemonkey and the super script BetterFacebook and I have been getting loads of requests for people asking me to go into a little more detail of how to use it. You should read that first here.

I am amazed at how well I was able to ‘un-muck’ my Facebook pages!

Here is what my Facebook home page now looks like now after setting up and using the BetterFacebook Greasemonkey Script in Firefox:

image

Here are the options as I’ve selected them. Once installed and you restart your browser then ‘re-login’ to Facebook, cancel the set up wizard. Then go to the ‘new’ Options button near your User Name and click on it.

The options I selected give me virtually the same/old layout I’ve been used to and added the ‘feed’ to the right; which I actually find useful so long as it doesn’t try and take over the whole page. Also removed are ads and other garbage I never use – applications being the major one.

clip_image005

clip_image007

Note above that I selected the ‘Stech the Layout…’ option

clip_image009

clip_image011

Note that above I selected the ‘Force the main news feed to be ‘Most Recent’..

clip_image013

clip_image015

And that’s all the settings I chose and hit ‘Save’.

I hope that helps those that asked. You’re all grown ups. I hope that you can take the time and a  chance to experience some ‘pain’ and learn how to do this.

Fix the ‘new’ Facebook feeds

Let’s try and fix some of the ‘new’ Facebook enhancements.

As some of you know I recommended that to get Facebook back to normal. You could Go Account Settings -> Language -> English (UK). And it seemed to work. But Facebook is pushing the crap out globally, so that may only work for a short time if at all now.

I have written many times previously about how to improve your browsing performance and productivity using Firefox and add-ons. Read here please  with special consideration of the Firefox add-on Greasemonkey.
Greasemonkey is a hugely popular add-on for Firefox browsers.
To me this is my most used add-ons the first being AdBlock Plus – Get that here. A GreaseMonkey script could be anything from blocking ads, to adding several different things to Google search, to a bot which basically browses the internet for you. Greasemonkey is most known for Firefox, however many scripts can now be run in the latest version of Chrome!
Get Greasemonkey here.

So on to the Facebook issues. We all now know how Facebook has made radical changes to the way the feed and news are presented, and more are on the way! And it has many in a tizzy. There are a few things that can be done to try and regain some functionality that many of us had been used to. That involves using Greasemonkey scripts and by extension the Firefox or Chrome Browsers.
The first script I would get is one:
BetterFacebook you can read about it here. Note that there are many options you should consider looking at once the script is installed. They will by up in the right hand corner in a drop down menu. I really like this one!
The script install for Firefox is here.

The next is FFixer, you can read about that here. I have noticed that this one requires loads of settings and you my not like it. If you installed it and don’t like it in Firefox go to Tools>Add Ons>User Scripts>then Disable FFixer.

The script install is here.

I also use Facebook Cleaner

As the next few days roll on I am sure that there will be many updates to these scripts and the addition of others to ‘fix’ Facebook. I will keep an eye out and let you all know what I find useful.

I hope this helps some of you.

Here are some articles on using Greasemonkey to improve other browsing:
http://findtricks.com/2011/08/24/top-25-best-facebook-greasemonkey-scripts/

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultimate_greasemonkey_guide_google_chrome

Blacksheep add-on to protect against WiFi session Hijacking

This is a Firefox add-on everyone should use if you use public WiFi anywhere anytime.
It’s called ‘Blacksheep’.

Blacksheep will find and block ‘Firesheep’ – a highly popular new hacking tool used to ‘sniff out and steal your sensitive information on WiFi networks.

What Firesheep is:
Firesheep is the Firefox extension that makes it easier to steal logins and take over social media and email accounts after users log in from a WiFi hotspot or even their own unprotected network. It is designed to sniff out weak security and hijack web site credentials on open Wi-Fi networks. This technique is technically called ‘Session Hijacking’.

Session hijacking is nothing new. Web sites typically use SSL connections for initial login pages, but revert to non-encrypted traffic for all subsequent communication. As such, while a user’s username and password may be protected, once they are authenticated, any user on the same network can simply sniff network traffic, obtain a user’s session ID and then hijack their session for a given website. Although this has always been a serious risk, especially on insecure networks such as public WiFi hot spots, some degree of technical knowledge was required to accomplish the attack. Firesheep, opens such attacks to the masses as it turns session hijacking into a point and click exercise. Unless websites mandate SSL for all traffic on the site, session hijacking will always remain a threat.

Fortunately, BlackSheep can be used to let you know if someone is running Firesheep on the same network and protect you.

Read some more here.

and here

or just add the extension to Firefox by going here!

Be safe folks!

Apple Security news end of June 2011

Apple has released Mac OS X v10.6.8 and Security Update 2011-004 addressing a total of 39 vulnerabilities in OS X 10.5.x and 10.6.x.

Many are critical errors which could allow an attacker to take control of the system!

Please use the System Update. You can read the notice here:

And get the direct download here:

As usual I would remind you to also make sure you also update your Web Browser(s) and plug ins – ESPECIALLY Adobe Flash and Adobe Acrobat!

Firefox 5 news

Today Mozilla released the Final version of Firefox 5 ahead of its scheduled date. It has been slated for official release next Tuesday June 21. If you’d like, you can get it now here:
Windows

Mac

Linux

Before installing I HIGHLY recommend backing up your complete profile. For that I use MozBackup on Windows. You can get the Windows install here

For other OS’s you can use FEBE
To install FEBE download the .zip file then rename it with a .xpi extension and open it with Firefox.

I would also recommend that you install the "Firefox Add-on Compatibility Reporter" to Firefox 1st too. Get that here.  This will keep unsupported or updated plugins/add-ins from crashing the browser and may let some of them work even if they are ‘not supported’.

So what’s new in Firefox 5?

  • Added support for CSS animations
  • The Do-Not-Track header preference has been moved to increase discoverability
  • Improved canvas, JavaScript, memory, and networking performance
  • Improved standards support for HTML5, XHR, MathML, SMIL, and canvas
  • Improved spell checking for some locales
  • Improved desktop environment integration for Linux users
  • WebGL content can no longer load cross-domain textures
  • Background tabs have setTimeout and setInterval clamped to 1000ms to improve performance
  • The Firefox development channel switcher introduced in previous Firefox Beta updates has been removed.

As with any new software be aware that some items may have changed locations and some Extensions/Add-ons may not function correctly or at all. So once again let me re-iterate – MAKE A BACK UP OF YOUR SETTINGS/PROFILE before installing!! You may also with to download the version prior to version 5 incase you have to uninstall version 5 and re-install your old version.
Windows:
http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/latest-4.0/win32/en-US/Firefox%20Setup%204.0.1.exe
Mac:
http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/latest-4.0/mac/en-US/Firefox%204.0.1.dmg
Linux:
http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/latest-4.0/linux-x86_64/en-US/firefox-4.0.1.tar.bz2
For other versions and languages go here:
http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/latest-4.0/

Here’s to hoping that it proves to be a worthwhile upgrade!