Internet Browser
Browser Plug-Ins
Microsoft Office
Security

Which Internet Browser Should I Use?

The latest versions of Firefox, Chrome, and Safari are all good choices for working in Canvas. Important note: If you need help downloading one of these browsers, contact eLearning!

Download Firefox

Download Google Chrome
Download Safari (Links to an external site.)

It's a good idea to have more than one browser installed on your personal computer. Many times problems you experience online can be fixed by switching from one browser to a different browser.

I really like Internet Explorer or Edge - Why shouldn't I use it with Canvas?

Although officially Canvas supports Internet Explorer/Edge, they DO NOT work well with Canvas! You may experience problems if you use this browser. These problems include:

course content not showing correctly or at all
problems submitting assignments or quizzes

Note: Although these do not work well with Canvas, you may occasionally run into old programs that work better with Internet Explorer. As always, if something doesn't work, try a different browser!

What Internet Browser am I using?

Check to see what browser you are using!

Go to http://supportdetails.com/ (Links to an external site.) and check the "Browser" box to see which browser you are using.

Browser Plug-Ins

Plug-ins are add-ons for your Internet browser that will make your computer work correctly with Canvas and other programs needed for your online coursework.

Below is a list of plug-ins. If you are on a personal computer, you may want to download it, install it, or Allow it in your browser.
If you are on a College, Library, or Work computer, skip this.

Plug-in

What does it do?

Do I already have Flash?
How do I get Flash?

Adobe Flash

Some instructors use extra tools in Canvas that rely on Flash.

You won't need it for this orientation, but...

In the future, if you get an error when trying to load something in a Canvas page or external publisher website, this is one of the things that could be going wrong.

Go here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html

Here you can:

Click "Check Now" to see if you have Flash ready to go
If you don't, it will tell you which next steps YOU need to take, and will walk you through it.

It may tell you:

how to download + install Flash
how to enable it in the browser you're using
and will let you test if it's working

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office 365 FREE for Centralia Students!

Centralia College is pleased to provide Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more) to all students enrolled in credit courses at no cost via the Microsoft Student Advantage program!

Get it on Windows or Mac

https://www.centralia.edu/admin/services/it/studentadvantage.html

It's as easy as logging into your Student Email and clicking "Install Office."

Get it on Smartphones & Tablets

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Set-up-Office-apps-and-email-on-a-mobile-device-7dabb6cb-0046-40b6-81fe-767e0b1f014f?appver=MET150

Get it on a Chromebook

Follow these instructions to download, and when prompted, log in with your Student Email:

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/how-to-install-and-run-microsoft-office-on-a-chromebook-32f14a23-2c1a-4579-b973-d4b1d78561ad

Warning: Your Chromebook may not have space for very many documents, so you may not want to save them to your Chromebook. You may instead want to save them online to OneDrive - the Microsoft Office equivalent to Google Drive, where you can create, save, and keep all your documents online, and access them from anywhere.

Why use Microsoft Office?

Centralia College, and most of Centralia's Instructors, use Microsoft Office programs in their classes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). To make sure your Instructors can open and grade your assignments, it's easier to use Microsoft Office programs to create and submit your assignments.

How do I log into my Student Email?

Your password and username format are here:
https://www.centralia.edu/admin/services/it/studentemail.html

Protecting Yourself & Your Devices

The #1 BEST way to protect yourself is by installing updates whenever they're available. This goes for everything. Keep your browser updated, your computer itself updated, and any programs/software updated (including your anti-virus!). This will usually happen automatically, OR your programs will tell you when they are ready for an update. Don't put it off. Get those updates done!

The #2 best way to protect yourself is to install an anti-virus (if you need one). Anti-virus software protects your computer in real-time against viruses by scanning for malicious programs and then neutralizing or eliminating them. Read below to see if you need one for your device.

The #3 best way to protect yourself is common sense and awareness. Be careful what you do/click on. Make sure emails and people who contact you are legitimate, or who they say they are. Look for typos and errors - major companies don't make these mistakes. Don't wire money to a Nigerian prince.

Do I need an anti-virus software?

Do you use...

Windows 7? Microsoft Security Essentials is free, and it can be downloaded and installed directly from Microsoft: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

Windows 8 or 10? You already have Windows Defender Program by default.

Apple Mac? You may not need an antivirus. Built-in security may be enough for you.

Chromebook? You may not need an antivirus. Built-in security may be enough for you.

Android Apps & Tablets? You may not need an anti-virus. Built-in security may be enough for you.

iPhones & iPads? These do not need an antivirus.

How to use an Anti-Virus

Anti-virus runs constantly to be on the lookout for threats in real-time. Make sure "Real-Time protection" or "24/7" is on.

You ONLY NEED ONE. More anti-viruses are not better. The only exception to this rule is if you get an anti-MALWARE, which we talk about below.

BONUS: FREE Extra Protection: Anti-Malware

In addition to ONE anti-virus program (if needed), you may also want a bonus anti-malware program for extra protection:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Available FREE for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android

This program doesn't scan in real-time like an anti-virus (it's job is a bit different), but it CAN pick up things your anti-virus or other built-in protection might miss. Keep an anti-malware like this around to manually scan every once in a while to pick up what your main protection misses.