What Is The Difference Between a Good And a Bad Browser?

A good browser should:

* Have security features to protect users from common threats of the Internet.

The infamous Internet Explorer from Microsoft included an extremely dangerous feature into the software back in 1,996 called "Active-X", which is a specification to enable the execution of software inside the browser. This made it possible for Microsoft to run applications like Excel inside the browser, which gave them an incredible advantage comparing to other browsers. The sad side of things is that also they enabled malware to execute within the browser, opening a horrible opportunity for crackers all over the world, which could exploit the smallest error in the program to enable their own software into the browser. If that happens, you can forget about your privacy because all what you type will be seen, maybe by a dangerous cracker at Russia.

* Be free of charge.

All browsers are now free of charge, so it will be very difficult for someone to charge for this type of software. I have seen people charging for giving people more tools in one place, but not charging ethically for this kind of software.

* Respond rapidly to fix any problem of the software.

Open source browsers have a community of programmers devoted to keep their preferred browser free of errors. These people don't work for the money (there isn't) but for the sake of being in the community that is helping people to feel secure on the Internet. These people respond very fast to any security alert, faster than any company could.

* Offer additional functionality.

Some browsers, as Internet Explorer, were not planned carefully (Microsoft was much more interested in eliminating Netscape from the market than creating a good product) and this makes very difficult to add features because they hurt the overall design of the software. It is like building a house, you make the blueprints and construct it, but if the blueprints are incorrect, you will face a very hard time trying to put a bathroom where there is a corridor now. It will simply be too difficult and that is happening to Internet Explorer.

* Users should have updates often.

Everyone that have worked in the computer industry for some time could tell you that no software is perfect and always should be updated to fix problems. A good browser should offer updates regularly not only to remove errors from it, but also to add useful features. Internet Explorer last update before the current one was in 2,001 (six years ago!), which tells about the level of compromise of this company with its own browser. Coincidently, after 1,998 Internet Explorer updated itself into a major version each and every year, and in 2,001 got 95% market share. Developments stopped until recently, when they saw the Firefox browser gaining market share very fast.

* Should correct mistakes from users.

We are inclined at times to mistype one or more words, especially when we are hurriedly typing an email message, writing a blog or making an entry on our website. You can use the spell-check feature built in the Mozilla editor without add-ons, to help with your spelling or misspelling of words like receive, believe, relieve or occurrence and occasion. Firefox spell check is always there checking for misspelled words.

* Should include a search bar.

The search bars like Google and Yahoo anticipate your needs, making suggestions as you search. In Firefox, even you can create shortcuts to access your searches very fast using the feature "Add Keyword To Search". This is done by going to any website where is something to write, click the right button of your mouse and configure the setting you will see. Example: go to youtube.com, put the pointer in the text box, right click the mouse and select "Add Keyword To Search", set the name to: "Quick Search", keyword: yt, and ok. Now at the address bar, write: yt funny and videos with the tag "funny" will appear.

* Should block pop-ups.

Pop-Up blockers offer peace of mind and protecting your eyes from flashing pop-ups and other debris. The pop-up blockers block the ads, which are so irritating because they always seem to land in your line of vision, as you are reading a web page. With your pop-up blockers turned on, the search engines can quickly bring to you uncluttered web pages with no pop-ups.

* Should be able to restore if something happens.

The "Session Restore" is a really good feature because if you have to suddenly close the browser for some reason, the browser with this capability remembers what web page you were on. When you reopen the browser, a message will appear reminding you the previous session is open and you can choose to return to the same page or pages you were on or chose to begin a new session. Most of us do not like to start over from the beginning, and so; this feature is great, especially if we do not bookmark an Internet page for future use.

Article Source: http://www.majorarticle.com

Computer Expert, Andres Berger writes often about modzilla.safecomputer.org. Thousands are now receiving this free course on computer security, explained very easily, in plain English so even a 6 year old could understand.

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