JavaScript is a scripting programming language designed to control your web browser. It provides significantly increased functionality to web pages allowing for a more interactive user experience. JavaScript is becoming increasingly popular and is required for many websites to function correctly so having JavaScript working is important to a complete web experience.

Because of JavaScript's popularity, it has become a target of malware writers who have used it to make popup ads and install malware applications. While JavaScript security has significantly improved in newer browsers some businesses and internet security software disable JavaScript. So if your work computer has JavaScript disabled you can check with your network admin about changing JavaScript settings. In the case of security software, if it blocks JavaScript it can typically be configured to allow JavaScript or at least allow it on sites you specify. For users concerned with JavaScript security most browsers allow you to setup specific sites to permit JavaScript and/or you can configure your web browser to ask your permission before allowing JavaScript on any website. If you allow a website to use JavaScript and it has popup ads, popup blockers are effective at stopping the popups without the need to fully disable JavaScript. For a typical home user there is no need to disable JavaScript if you have a popup blocker and an up to date web browser.

Common uses for JavaScript include:

• Validation in forms that tells you when a required field such as city/state was left blank.


• Response to keystrokes such as Google suggest when typing in a search.


• Giving webpages the look and feel of a desktop application. This can bee seen in common internet based email such as Yahoo mail, GMail and Hotmail.


• Popping up a new window such as help information on a form so the information you have filled out is not lost.


• Tooltips such as when you move your mouse over a word or image and a description is displayed beside the word or image.

My computer doesn't have JavaScript

If you have a web browser your computer will have JavaScript; however it may need to be enabled. Enabling JavaScript in different browsers:

• Windows Internet Explorer versions 4-8
  
  Note: To allow scripting on this Web site only, and to leave scripting disabled in the Internet zone, add this Web site to the Trusted sites zone.
  
  
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
  2. Click the Internet zone.
  3. If you do not have to customize your Internet security settings, click Default Level. Then do step 4 If you have to customize your Internet security settings, follow these steps: a. Click Custom Level. b. In the Security Settings – Internet Zone dialog box, click Enable for Active Scripting in the Scripting section.
  4. Click the "Back" button followed by clicking the "Refresh" button.
  
  
• Firefox version 2-3
  
  
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. On the Content tab, click the Enable JavaScript check box. and click "OK"
  3. Click the "Go back one page" button followed by clicking the "Reload current page" button.
  
  
• Opera versions 9-10
  1. On the Tools menu, click Preferences.
  2. On the Advanced tab, click Content.
  3. Click to select the Enable JavaScript check box, and then click OK.
  4. Click the "Back" button followed by clicking the "Reload" button.
  
  
• Netscape browsers
  1. Select Edit, Preferences,Advanced
  2. Click the Enable JavaScript option.
  3. Reload the current webpage.
  
  

A Website Says My Browser Must Have JavaScript Enabled

JavaScript messages such as "Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player." mean you need to enable JavaScript. Follow the steps above for your browser.

I'm Getting JavaScript Errors While Browsing

If you are getting JavaScript error messages that show up in the bottom left of your browser, then the error is may be with the webpage and not one you can fix, however several causes JavaScript errors can be fixed. Here are some common JavaScript problems and what you can do about them:

1. When the webpage was written, it was not tested in the browser you are using
   For this you can try a different browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome.
2. Some toolbars can cause JavaScript errors as well because they can insert JavaScript into webpages but don't always insert it correctly.
   To fix problems caused by toolbars you can remove extra toolbars or try a different web browser.
3. Temporary internet connection issues caused by the server of the website you are connecting to or your connection can cause an incomplete page to be sent to your browser.
   In this case you will want to refresh the page.
4. Your web browser may have outdated copies of JavaScript, HTML, or CSS files in its cache for quicker loading.
   Using the refresh button on the webpage will clear any temporary files stored for that page including the JavaScript.

Enabling JavaScript Didn't Fix My Issue

If you enable JavaScript and you still receive a message that JavaScript is not enabled then you may have a security tool blocking JavaScript on that website or all sites. To fix this please check your security software settings and make sure it is not blocking JavaScript. If you are not sure if your security software does this you can usually find information or their website or through their support. For example Trend Micro Internet Security software can stop JavaScript from running but can be configured to allow it.