Computer and Web Articles

Question:
There are so many internet browsers these days (google chrome, mozilla, firefox, internet explorer, yahoo) - how should I determine which browser I should be using? Is there one that supports more advanced websites better? Is there one that prevails as far as security features and protecting my computer?
- Christine Spiller, Silverthorne CO

Answer:
Before I answer your question, allow me to first quickly clear up a couple points:

1. I’ve not heard mention of a Yahoo! browser for at least half a decade now, so I don’t think you need to worry about that one.
2. Mozilla is actually not a browser. It’s an organization, a brand. We’ve got Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Google’s Chrome, and Mozilla’s Firefox. (Though Mozilla offers other browsing applications, its most popular and well-known browser is Firefox.)

Now. Back to your question. How to determine which browser to use… sigh. I truly wish I had an great answer for you. Unfortunately, this question is almost like asking “With which political party should I align myself?” You’ll get folks from the various parties voicing their (strong) opinions and, before you know it, things get ugly and everyone is shouting profanities at one another.

Which browser is the most secure? Some people will tell you Opera is the most secure browser: http://tinyurl.com/2ecdsya. Others will insist the answer is Chrome: http://tinyurl.com/28m2sec. Still others will swear that Internet Explorer 8 is the most secure: http://tinyurl.com/ybfamy7 (yet it appears many of these folks are pointing to Microsoft-sponsored research studies as proof…)

Personally, I prefer Chrome for the majority of my web browsing as I find it to be the quickest to load and respond. I use Internet Explorer 8 when I visit certain Microsoft-related sites (such as the Windows Updates section of the Microsoft site) or the occasional site that seems to have been built with no browser but IE8 in mind. Sometimes I use Firefox—occasionally out of habit, occasionally because of an extension I like. Though I’m not a Mac person, I do run Safari on one of my computers so I can ensure that the websites my company builds look great in that browser as well.

Just a couple months ago there was a really great blog post over at Lifehacker discussing the usage of Chrome vs. Firefox. I encourage you to take a look: http://tinyurl.com/y9pp5ag.

I know I didn’t provide you with a fantastic response here, but there truly is no definitive answer.

Nonetheless, there are two browser-related recommendations I will categorically make:

1. Don’t use AOL. Just … don’t. If you’re using it, stop. Use something else.
2. Whatever browser you use, make sure you’re using the most up-to-date (but not beta) version. Internet Explorer 8 may work for you, but using Internet Explorer 6 will likely keep you from experiencing the web as you should. (Please, please upgrade if you’re using Internet Explorer 6. If you’re not sure what browser version you’re using, read last week’s article. If you’re not sure how to find last week’s article, visit my article archive at www.ComputerAndWebArticles.com.)