Test Your Connection
Speed Now
Home > Broadband Connection > Internet Connection Speed Test and Tools > Browser > Firefox, a Safer Web Browser

Firefox, a Safer Web Browser

The Internet Explorer Monopoly

Anyone who accesses the Internet, whether its through a dial-up connection or a much faster broadband connection, has to use an Internet browser to surf around the Internet. Currently, the most commonly used Internet browser on the planet is Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The browser’s popularity is good for Microsoft, but as weaknesses in the browser have slowly been discovered, so have opportunities to cause harm to people’s computers.

One of the major problems faced by Internet users today is spyware. Spyware refers programs that are secretly downloaded onto user’s computers. These programs can infiltrate all parts of the computer and contribute to massive amounts of pop-ups and unwanted advertising from showing up on the computer screen.

Ironically, one of the major contributors to spyware is Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. Internet Explorer uses a program called ActiveX that was created to help users by automatically downloading and installing certain software programs onto users’ computers. Unfortunately, hackers and other computer experts with malicious intent soon realized that they could manipulate and exploit the ActiveX program and use it to get spyware, viruses and other nasty content onto users’ computers.

Firefox to the Rescue

Many companies have tried to develop their own Internet browsers to compete with and outdo Internet Explorer. So far, the most successful has been Mozilla, with their Firefox browser. One of the most important components to Firefox is that, unlike Internet Explorer, it does not allow a Web site to download or install anything onto a user’s computer with the user’s express permission and agreement. In other words, the user is put back in control of the Internet browser. Though Firefox is not perfect in this regard, this is an extremely important step to preventing spyware from getting onto computers.

Firefox is available in nearly identical versions for Windows, Apple’s Macintosh, and the Linux operating system. Read below for a quick summary of some of the many features, in addition to its security, that have helped Mozilla’s Firefox become Internet Explorer’s biggest threat.

Tabs

Firefox’s tab feature allows users to view more than one webpage in a single window. This is a very convenient feature, as you can “tab” back and forth between the web pages you are currently using, instead of having to close them and open them up.

Pop-up Blocker

Mozilla FireFox also features a great pop-up blocker tool. When you right-click your mouse on any ad, you have the option of permanently blocking that ad from appearing again.

Extensions

Firefox also has a neat feature called “extensions.” Extensions are small add-ons you can use to perform a large number of features. One of the most handy extensions is one that automatically fills out online forms for you.

But what about the Web sites that can’t easily be viewed with Firefox because they have been tailored to work with only Internet Explorer? Firefox thought of this too -- you can use the extension that’s called “View This Page in IE.”