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View Link Types Such as PDF, DOC, or ZIP SUMMARY: Find out exactly what type of link you are clicking on via Firefox with the Link Alert Add-In.
While browsing the web in Mozilla Firefox, you may blindly click on links from search engines or other webpages and be surprised when those links turn out to be .PDF files, .ZIP archives, or Microsoft Word .DOC documents.
While you could look at the status bar to see each link's target, what if there was an easier way to instantly determine the type of a link before you click it? This way you could avoid certain types of documents, as desired, especially if you don't want to wait for a large file to download. Also, this might help avoid accidentally downloading an application to your machine that you may not want or need (such as spyware or other malware).
The "Link Alert" Extension for Firefox does just this, changing your Firefox cursor's image depending on several pre-defined types (see the "Recipe" screenshot for an example of what happens when the cursor hovers over a link to a Word document). To install it:
 | |  | |  Note that most extensions are from third party developers. Installation and use of extensions are solely at your own risk. | |  | |  |
1. Select "Tools" - "Add-Ons".
2. The "Add-ons" dialog box appears. Click the "Get Add-ons" button.
3. In the search box, type link alert and press the magnifying glass.
 | |  | | Finding the Link Alert Firefox extension | |  | |  |
4. The Link Alert extension is displayed. Click the "Add to Firefox" button.
5. The "Software Installation" dialog box will eventually appear. Click "Install Now" as soon as the button is enabled.
6. Once the add-on has installed, click the "Restart Firefox" button. Depending on your configuration, Firefox may note that it will try to restart your windows and tabs.
| | | | Restarting Firefox from the Add-ons dialog box | | | | |
Now, when you move your cursor over one of the pre-defined types, Link Alert will change it to alert you to its type. To test this, visit the following test page created by the plug-in author: http://linkalert.googlepages.com/testpage.htm
Many configuration options are available including adding your own cursors for user-defined file types. To change Link Alert's options:
1. Select "Tools" - "Add-Ons".
2. The "Add-ons" dialog box appears. Click the "Extensions" button.
3. Underneath "Link Alert" click the "Options" button.
4. A "Link Alert - Options" dialog box appears.
| | | | Link Alert Options dialog box | | | | |
* The "Basic" button lets you check or uncheck changing the pointer for pre-defined file types, protocols, and misc.
* The "Advanced" button lets you add your own file types or protocols for Link Alert to recognize. You can use your own cursors for each file type / protocol.
* The "Display" button lets you change advanced display options. For example, click the "Use Large icons" button to make the cursor easier to see. Note that you may need to restart Firefox for some of these settings to take effect.
| | | | Link Alert only changes the cursor if the link DIRECTLY goes to a supported file type. Some web pages can perform redirections, such as by scripts, so that clicking on what seems to be a web page is redirected by the server to another file type. | | | | |
| | | | This tip was written for Mozilla Firefox v3.0.5 and Link Alert v0.8.2.1. Screenshots and instructions for other versions may vary. | | | | |
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