To set your browser to open to a blank page:

In Internet Explorer:

• From the menu bar click on Tools then Internet Options.

• In General Tab / Home Page / Address type “about:blank” (without the quote marks).

• Click on Apply.

• Click on OK.

In Firefox:

• From the menu bar click on Tools then Options.

• In General / Home Page / Location(s)type “about:blank” (without the quote marks).

• Click on OK.

In other browsers there should be a similar method, though I have not tried in any others.

I set both Internet Explorer and Firefox to open to a blank page on the computers I use. My Portable Firefox on my thumb drives also is set to open to a blank page.

My reasoning for this is that many times at work the server is down, yet the browser, in this case Internet Explorer, still goes and searches and then comes back with an error message. I find this waiting very irritating, especially as I am usually wanting to go somewhere else anyway.

Another advantage of using a blank page as the default is that a browser hijacking is immediately noticeable and can be taken care of right away.

I know this is a day early but, I have a bunch of meetings tomorrow at work, as well as the monthly BPCA SIG and General meetings.

Steve Costello

Retired, grandfather, blogger, participating in creative writing prompt blogs, and love to read.