While browsing, we tend to come across websites that use a plethora of plug-ins — Adobe Flash Player, Java Runtime, etc. — to display content. Plug-ins such as Adobe Flash can slow down web browsing, consume a lot of system resources, cause browser crashes and eat up valuable battery life on laptops. Adobe Flash player and Java runtime plug-ins are also a security risk and prone to some of the most devastating vulnerabilities that have been discovered in recent memory.

There is another way of accessing websites and it comes built-in with your browser. All it requires is one click from you.

1) Google Chrome

Chrome has a built in feature to enable click-to-play plug-ins feature. You can access it through the menu button and selecting ‘Settings’. Once the Settings page opens up, click on Show Advanced Settings ---> Privacy ---> Content Settings:

If needed, you can re-enable the Run automatically option by repeating the steps listed above.

2) Mozilla Firefox

Firefox uses a click-to-play feature for most plug-ins in its browser, including Java Runtime aside Adobe Flash. Click on Tools --->Add-ons ---> Plug-ins:

The same instructions can be set for Microsoft Silverlight plug-in and changed to ‘Ask to Activate’ if needed. To change it back to ‘Always Activate’ the steps listed above can be followed again. Alternatively; an extension called Flashblock can be installed from this URL: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/flashblock/ which also blocks all Adobe Flash content from loading.

3) Opera

This feature set is also supported by the Opera browser. It can be accessed via clicking the Opera menu button--->Settings--->Websites:

The same steps above can be repeated to re-enable the ‘Run automatically’ option which is recommended by default.

4) Safari

To enable Click-to-Play on Mac OS X, each setting in Safari has to be adjusted individually for each plug-in that is installed. Click on Safari Menu--->Preferences--->Security and select manage websites to the right of Internet Plug-ins:

A note of caution while using the ‘Click-to-Play’ plug-in feature: websites such as YouTube and DailyMotion need Adobe Flash to be enabled by default in order to run properly. In case of encountering problems with the ‘Click-to-Play’ plug-in feature, do not hesitate in following the instructions above to reset it back to its default settings. This feature has a lot of benefits; it may secure you from any flaws that may end up being exploited by hackers in insecure plug-ins. But equally, it is advisable not to rely on this feature for foolproof security. Consider it is an additional layer of security on top of the antivirus or internet security suite you are using. It is especially beneficial for laptops; where battery life is a major issue of concern for users.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 30th, 2014