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Firefox Recommended Browser Configuration

Echo360
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Echo360 is a web-based application that uses a browser to view content and as such has certain browser requirements. Beyond ensuring you're using a supported browser, there are also some configuration settings you may need to check or change to successfully use Echo360.

If you access Echo360 directly through the Echo360 URL, you may not need to change any of your browser configurations. However, if you access Echo360 through an LMS such as Canvas or Moodle or Blackboard, and PARTICULARLY if the Echo360 window is opened inside of a browser frame, the below-listed changes to the Firefox browser settings may be necessary in order to view Echo360 class recordings and LIVE streams as provided.

Echo360 is in the process of removing our dependency on third-party cookies when viewing media outside of our platform. Cookies are not required when viewing content in the updated Player embedded within other webpages unless you are viewing it from certain mobile devices, especially those running iOS.

We recommend you continue to allow third-party cookies in your browser, as viewing content within Echo360 through an LMS/VLE (your Library or an Echo360 course) still requires cookies, as may your mobile device. This is because our approach cookie-less presentation requires the use of Media Source Extensions, which are not supported by some iOS browsers at this time. If you are using one of these browsers and Cross-Site Tracking and/or Cookies are not allowed, you will see a message directing you to enable them.

In addition, if you use Keyboard navigation to maneuver through the interface, see the below section on Enabling Tab Key Navigation.

Privacy and Security Settings in Firefox

As with most browsers, the cookie settings reside in the Privacy and Security area of Firefox browser settings, shown in the below procedure. The good news is that the Firefox default setting of Standard is fine. So you don't EVER have to change it. If this is you, you can stop reading!

If you choose to select Custom, the one setting you CANNOT set is to block ALL third-party cookies. In fact the Firefox option for this indicates that this option may break websites. And this is true for Echo360.  

Cookies contain some of the current session and authorization information that we need to know who you are and to allow you to view content. This is especially important where a main website such as the LMS or your University Portal tries to open Echo360 inside of a frame. In this case, the cookies are necessary for the two authentication mechanisms to talk to each other and open Echo360 content for you.

To review or change Firefox privacy and security settings

  1. Launch Firefox
  2. Click the Settings icon and select Options from the menu that appears, as shown in the below figure.
    Firefox with settings menu open and Options selection identified for steps as described
  3. From the Options page that appears, select Privacy & Security from the selections on the left. 
  4. If your page looks like the one below and the Standard option is selected, you don't need to do anything else. This setting is fine for viewing Echo360 content.
    Firefox privacy and security page with Standard default option selected and identified as described
  5. If Custom is selected, click the chevron on the right side of the panel to expand it.
  6. Click the Cookies options drop-down to see which option you have set. You can block either type of cross-site cookies if you want to. But DO NOT SELECT TO BLOCK ALL THIRD-PARTY COOKIES. This option is shown below with an indicator to NOT select this option.
    Firefox custom privacy settings with block all third party cookies option identified with prohibit symbol indicating do no select this
  7. When finished, you can close the Options tab.

Enabling Tab Key Navigation in Firefox

If you are using Firefox for Windows, this setting should already be in place. If you are using Firefox on a Mac, you may need to set your macOS System Preferences to allow for Tab key navigation as described in Enabling Tab Key Navigation in macOS and Safari. Alternatively, you can set the tab focus for accessibility in Firefox using the below steps.

Typically, however, Firefox will respect the operating system setting, meaning these steps should not be necessary. But use them to make a change if needed, or simply to check that your browser setting is appropriate. You may also want to refer to the following article for additional information: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11704828/how-to-allow-keyboard-focus-of-links-in-firefox.

To view or change the Tab focus setting in Firefox

  1. In Firefox, type about:config in the URL bar.
  2. The Preferences Name column is sorted in alphabetical order. Check for an entry for accessibility.tabfocus.

    If you have configured your macOS system preferences for Tab navigation, or you are on a Windows computer, you should see an entry. If there is NOT one, you will have to create one.

  3. Right-click anywhere in the about:config page and select New > Integer as shown in the below figure.
    Firefox showing about configurations page with right-click menu and New Integer option shown for steps as described
  4. Enter the name accessibility.tabfocus for the new integer and click OK.
    New integer value dialog box with new tab focus preference name entered as described
  5. Right-click the Value column for the new entry and enter 7.
  6. Click OK.

Your Firefox about:config page should look as shown below, with the accessibility:tabfocus entry now appearing with a value of 7.

Firefox about configurations list with accessbility tab focus entry and value now appearing as described