1. See Browser Version documentation to determine which version you are currently using.
2. What browser should I use with Blackboard?
3. How do I update my browser?
4. How do I configure my browser settings?
5. Special instructions for Internet Explorer 8: Enable Compatability View
6. Is Blackboard secure? (What is SSL?)
7. Additional Notes (AOL, pop-up blockers, firewalls, etc.)

What browser should I use with Blackboard?

Certified: fully tested and supported.
Compatible: partially tested but should function properly.
Unsupported: either impossible or not tested.

Microsoft® Windows® Operating System

• Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. JAWS for Windows 9 and 10 were used during accessibility testing of Service Pack 3
• Sun Java™ Runtime Environment 5 (JRE™ 5) is no longer supported. It may continue to work but Java 6 Update 13 is the only supported version of Java.
• Soon to be phased out: Internet Explorer 6, Firefox 3.0.x, and Mac OSX 10.4 "Tiger".
• Internet Explorer 8 is only supported in Standards Mode. Some known issues can be resolved by using Compatibility Mode (emulates IE7 behavior). See instructions below for Enabling Compatability Mode.

Apple® Mac OS® Operating System

The following browsers are not supported:

• Internet Explorer 6
• Firefox 1.x and 2.0
• Safari 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1
• Google Chrome (any version)

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Blackboard and SSL

SSL secure technology is installed in Blackboard. A secure connection, recognizable by the HTTPS (HTTP) in the URL, means the information being exchanged between the Blackboard web site and your browser is being encypted, adding an additional layer of security onto the environment.

Users may find themselves getting an annoying number of messages stating “This page contains both secure and non-secure items. Do you want to display the non-secure items?” This notice means that the webpage is trying to display both secure and non-secure content. This is called “mixed content”. Non-secure items are usually images or icons created by our content contributors which are being stored on a non-SSL host.

If you find this bothersome, you might want to temporarily have Internet Explorer allow all mixed content.

To allow mixed content:

1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
2. Click the Security tab, and then click the Custom Level button.
3. In the Security Settings dialog box, scroll to the Display mixed content setting in the Miscellaneous section, and then click Enable.
4. Click OK in the Security Settings dialog box, and then click OK to exit Internet Options.

NOTE: After allowing mixed content, you will see webpages with both HTTPS and non-HTTPS content with no message.

How do I update my browser?
If you need to download a newer browser, click on the preferred browser for your operating system below.

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How do I configure my browser settings?
Blackboard needs to have your browser set to enable Cookies, Java, and Java Scripting. We also recommend refreshing the browser page on every visit so you always see an updated page. The instructions below may vary slightly depending on your browser version.

Internet Explorer
Firefox
Safari
AOL Users

Enable Compatability View for IE 8

Enable cookies

1. From the IE toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Internet Options
3. Click the Privacy tab
4. Click the Advanced button
5. Make sure Override automatic cookie handling is checked
6. Under "First-party cookies," select either Accept or Prompt
7. Click OK

Enable Java

1. From the IE toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Internet Options
3. Click the Security tab
4. Click the Custom Level button
5. Scroll down to Scripting
6. Choose "Enable" for Active Scripting and Scripting of Java Applets
7. Click OK
8. Restart your computer

Refresh page on every visit

1. From the IE toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Internet Options
3. Click the General tab
4. Under "Temporary Internet Files," click Settings
5. Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages," choose Every visit to the page
6. Click OK

1. From the IE toolbar, click Tools
2. Choose Toolbars
3. If the Status Bar does not have a check next to it, click it. If it does, leave it.
   

Enable cookies

1. From the Firefox toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Options
3. Click Privacy
4. Check Accept Cookies from Sites
5. Click Exceptions
6. Enter blackboard.unh.edu and click Allow
7. Click Close
8. Click OK
   

Enable Java

1. From the Firefox toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Options
3. Click Content
4. Check Enable Java
5. Check Enable JavaScript
6. Uncheck Block pop-up windows
7. Click OK

1. From the Firefox toolbar, click Tools
2. Click Options
3. Click Content
4. Next to Enable JavaScript, click Advanced
5. Select the Change Status Bar Text option, and click OK
6. Click OK

Refresh page on every visit

1. Firefox should do this automatically

Enable cookies

(First connect to Blackboard, so the cookies option below applies to the Blackboard site)

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences
2. Select the Security icon in the toolbar
3. Select "Always" to accept all cookies or "Only from sites you navigate to"
4. Close the Preferences window

Enable Java

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences
2. Select the Security icon in the toolbar
3. Check the boxes next to Enable: Plug-ins, Java, and Javascript
4. Uncheck "block pop-up windows"
5. Click OK

Refresh page
(for current visit)

• To reload a page and bypass the cache:
• Either: Hold down the Command and Shift keys, and press R
• Or: Hold down the Shift key and click the Reload toolbar button
• To completely clear the cache (see note above):
1. From the Safari menu, select Empty Cache
2. Click Empty

Beware: these may interfere with Blackboard. If you are having trouble logging in or using certain Blackboard features, try disabling or reconfiguring these one at a time to identify which may be causing the problem.

If you get a "Pop-up blocked" message in the information bar, click the bar and choose Temporarily allow pop-ups.

Contact the Granite State College Technical Assistance Center for more information or assistance.

IMPORTANT: If your Internet Service Provider has a built-in browser, such as with AOL, follow these procedures to connect to Blackboard:

1. Connect to the internet as usual with AOL
2. Minimize AOL (click the minus sign at the upper right)
3. Start up an external (stand-alone) browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape
4. Connect to Blackboard at http://blackboard.granite.edu