Surf’s up! 3 handy browser functions

10.10.2024

Automatic translation, private mode and bookmarks: these 3 functions, already included in the browser, will help you to navigate the web more efficiently.

Surfing the internet isn’t rocket science. However, it’s often the numerous (hidden) functions in the browser that make surfing easier and more efficient, whether you’re studying or working. Try out the following features – you might find you can’t do without them once you’ve tried them.


Translating web pages automatically

Have you landed on a web page in a language you don’t understand and want to know what it says? Save yourself the hassle of selecting and then copying text into Google Translate, DeepL and similar services.

Instead, let your browser do the work and use the automatic translation function.


User guide

First, open the desired web page.


Google Chrome

  1. Open the settings using the three vertical (⋮) or three horizontal (...) dots.
  2. Select Translate...
  3. If necessary, select the language into which Chrome should translate.

User guide: Translating in Chrome


Safari

  • iPhone: Select the aA symbol in the address bar on the left and then select Translate to...
  • Mac: Select the translation symbol (2 speech bubbles) in the address bar on the right. Select the language you want Safari to translate to. User guide: Translating in Safari on Mac


Firefox

  1. Smartphone (Android only): Open the settings via the 3 vertical dots (⋮) and then select Translate page. 
    Laptop, desktop: Select the translation symbol (contains the letter A) on the right in the address bar.
  2. Select the language into which you want Firefox to translate.

User guide: Translating in Firefox


Using incognito or private mode for more privacy

Incognito mode or private mode gives you more privacy when surfing on the device you are using. When you end a private browsing session, the browser clears the following personal data from the session, which is stored locally on the device:

  • History: the history of all the web pages you have visited
  • Cookies, cache: cached data from web pages you have visited
  • Form data: information you have entered in forms

Your surfing behaviour is therefore not visible to people who use your device. But be careful: your outgoing internet traffic remains visible. This means that outsiders can still track your behaviour, such as your internet service provider or the providers of the websites you visit.

Private mode is also helpful if you

  • want to use a service with two different accounts, such as Moodle as a student and as an employee.
  • want to force a new login to a service.

Simply use a private tab or a private window to log in again.


User guide


Google Chrome

  1. Open the settings using the 3 vertical (⋮) or 3 horizontal (...) dots.
  2. Select New incognito window or New incognito tab.

User guide: Incognito mode in Chrome


Safari


Firefox

  • Smartphone: Tap the tab icon with the number and then tap the mask icon. Now open a new tab.
  • Laptop, desktop: Open the settings by clicking the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select New Private Window.

User guide: Private mode in Firefox


Finding pages quickly with bookmarks

The bookmark function in browsers is not a new feature. But that doesn’t make it obsolete, because it makes it possible to save internet addresses and thus quickly find them again – a real timesaver. This is useful for pages that you visit again and again or that you need again at a later date.

If you have ever desperately searched for a page using the search engine of your choice or the history function, you will be able to confirm this. In addition, every request to a search engine consumes energy in the associated server farms and thus generates CO2. Bookmarks are a more climate-friendly alternative.

When you start typing in the address bar, the browser also suggests relevant pages that you have saved in your bookmarks.


User guide

To add a bookmark, first open the web page you want to save.


Google Chrome

  • Smartphone (Android): Open the settings by tapping the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top right and tap the star symbol.
  • Smartphone (iOS): Open the settings by tapping the three horizontal dots (...) in the bottom right and select Add to bookmarks.
  • Laptop, desktop: Click the star icon in the address bar.

User guide: Bookmarks in Chrome


Safari


Firefox

  • Smartphone: Open the settings by tapping the three vertical dots (⋮) or the three horizontal lines and select Add next to Bookmarks.
  • Laptop, desktop: Click the star icon in the address bar.

User guide: Bookmarks in Firefox


The linked instructions also contain information on how to manage your bookmarks so you keep an overview.


Pro tip

You can also synchronise bookmarks across all devices you use (laptop, smartphone, tablet).

This works directly via your browser: To do this, you need an account (Google, iCloud or Mozilla account) and must be logged in to all the browsers you want to synchronise. User guide: How to configure synchronisation in Google Chrome | Safari | Firefox

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