Optimising your web browser

There are a number of web browsers available. This section concentrates on Internet Explorer (for Windows PCs), but the advice is just as relevant for your particular browser. It explains why you should use the latest browser version, and suggests you only download what you need.

Use the latest browser version

Most newer web browser versions are already optimised for faster Internet browsing, so the more up to date your web browser, the faster your connection is likely to be. Plus, more recent version will have enhanced security features, and other benefits. We suggest that you download the latest version of your particular web browser from the manufacturer’s web site. (For example, www.microsoft.com for Internet Explorer, or www.apple.com for Safari. By the way, it's always a good idea to read the manufacturer's Terms of Use first.)

Tip: To check which version you are currently running:

• In Internet Explorer, click on Help in your web browser, then click on About Internet Explorer to display the current version number.
• In Safari, click on Safari in your web browser, then click on About Safari to display the current version number.

Only download what you need

Remember that web sites that contain a lot of images, video or audio, always take longer to load into your web browser than web sites that consist only of text. By choosing not to download the types of content you don’t need, you can increase the speed of your connection.

For example, to turn off the automatic loading of pictures in Internet Explorer, do the following:

1. Open your browser, click on Tools in the menu bar, then select Internet Options.
   
   
2. Click on the Advanced tab to open the following window:
   
   
3. Scroll down to the Multimedia sub-section. Turn off the type(s) of download you don’t require. For example, to prevent pictures from being downloaded, un-check the Show pictures check box (un-check means click on the tick symbol to remove it from the square check box).
4. Click on the OK button to save the change.

   Tip: Even if you choose not to download pictures with a web page, you can still display individual pictures after you have opened a web page. Just right-click on the placeholder of the image you want to see, and select Show Picture.

Note: To do this for a web browser other than Internet Explorer, refer to the Help supplied with the browser.