All the Browsers!
Internet Explorer, which has by far and away the largest percentage of users, comes with Windows. Internet Explorer or as it is known as IE, is a target for spyware, virus and other security issues due to it's popularity. Microsoft introduced Internet Explorer 6 in 2001. The rumors are that Microsoft didn't plan to go any further until Firefox started making inroads on IE 6 popularity. IE7 was made for Vista, but Windows XP users can use it. Internet Explorer 8 is now in beta and should be released later this year, 2008.
Netscape, which was at one time the browser until Microsoft included Internet Explorer 4 in Windows 95. Netscape still has a loyal following and was a favorite of many businesses. Netscape had it's share of security issues as well, but not to the same extent as IE. Netscape cames with an email program, Netscape mail. Netscape is free. Official support for all Netscape client products ended on March 1st, 2008, see the announcement.
Mozilla and Firefox browsers are fast becoming extremely popular. One reason for the growth in popularity is the fact that if you are using Mozilla or Firefox, you probably won't get unwelcome drive-by spyware! Since they are gaining in popularity, it probably won't be long before they become targets for security issues, but the open source community that develops Mozilla and Firefox are quick to plug any security issues as soon as they are discovered.
These browsers have a feature called
tabbed browsing, and once used, it is hard to imagine using a browser
without this feature. Some other browsers also have this feature, in fact
nearly all of them except earlier versions of Internet Explorer have tabbed
browsing. The newest version, Internet Explorer 7, does have tabbed
browsing. Mozilla/Firefox are open source and free. Firefox 2.0
is Mozilla's award-winning next generation web browser. Firefox is my choice
of browsers. There are a lot of other plus features for Firefox, it has a
light footprint and if you are missing any of the features you liked in IE,
chances are there is an extension to provide that feature. Extensions are
small add-ons that add new functionality to Firefox. The Mozilla suite
includes Thunderbird, an email program.
Mozilla is more like Netscape in appearance, while Firefox looks more like
Internet Explorer. Both have ad and popup blocking.
Opera is another popular browser.
From the site:
Opera includes pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, integrated searches, and
advanced functions like Opera's groundbreaking E-mail program, RSS Newsfeeds
and IRC chat.
MYIE, now known as Maxthon.
From the web site:
Maxthon is a powerful web browser with a highly customizable interface. It
is based on the Internet Explorer engine (your most likely current web
browser) which means that what works in IE, works the same in Maxthon but
with many additional efficient features. (Since this browser is based on
Internet Explorer's core engine, it also has the same vulnerabilities!)
Then there is AOL. This browser is also based on Internet Explorer, so it too has the same security holes. Some people, including me, think AOL is not much better than a virus you willingly install on your computer, but hey, if it works for you and you like it, then that is what counts. Something for AOL users (since I don't use AOL, I can't personally vouch for this program.)
Off By One
This little browser can come in handy as it fits on a floppy. It is not
dependent on any other browser's components. It can be used it in a pinch if
IE is corrupted and no other browser is installed.
Free Web Browsers Some free alternate browsers
Every browser has it's share of devoted users that would not dream of changing to another browser. For a very long time, Internet Explorer was my browser of choice. But too many security issues that Microsoft was slow to patch and the terrible onslaught of spyware that takes advantage of IE users caused me to take a second look at Mozilla and a trial of Firefox convinced me to change.