IE 9 Add-on Performance Advisor a new safety tool

A new version of the Add-on Performance Advisor which helps keep you safe from add-ons that might slow down your browser.

Web browser add-ons are pretty much what they sound like. They're features that you can add on to your browser to make it faster, more efficient, or just more fun. In Internet Explorer 9 if an add-on is slowing down your web browsing experience, you'll see a warning in the notification bar that tells you how to disable the add-on or fix the problem.

In IE 9 we can see the add-ons that we already have installed by clicking the gear icon, and then clicking Manage Add-ons.

Some examples of add-ons are:

• Accelerators that let we select a word on a website to get the dictionary definition
• Extra toolbars to help we search faster
• Animated mouse pointers
• Stock tickers
• Pop-up ad blockers

See more add-ons at the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery.

To help protect ourself against dangerous add-ons:

• Download software from a site that you trust, such as the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery.
• Use a firewall.
• Use automatic updating to keep your operating system up-to-date. And don't forget to turn on automatic updating for the add-on itself. If that's not an option, then check for updates periodically from the publisher.
• Use antivirus software and antispyware software such as Microsoft Security Essentials and keep it updated.