Wide World of Web Browsers

Wide World of Web Browsers

By far, Google’s Chrome browser is the most popular browser on the market. At the time of writing, it has 62% of the market share. Next in line is Apple’s Safari with around 13%, Microsoft Edge based on Chromium with 11%, all the rest are in the single digits. These are not the only browsers out there. Each has their own unique feature’s purpose and user experiences. Here are some of the most common browsers:

•Google Chrome: Known for its speed, compatibility and simplicity, Chrome is one of the most popular browsers worldwide. Chrome is available for all major platforms. The mobile version synchronizes bookmarks, passwords, and settings. Chrome does not have many unique browsing features. There is no built-in VPN, no cryptocurrency locker, no note feature, and no screenshot tool.

•Mozilla Firefox: Firefox is a highly customizable browser. Firefox is an open-source project from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation. The browser has pioneered many web capabilities, and it has been a strong advocate for online privacy. It is also known to have a lot of available extensions. The unique Multi-Account Containers extension lets you sequester multiple logins to the same site on different tabs. Without it, you would have to open a private browsing window or another browser to sign out of all your web accounts and start a fresh session.

•Microsoft Edge: Built on the Chromium engine, Edge offers seamless integration with Windows and various productivity features. Microsoft Edge offers voice-reading of webpages with realistic speech, a customizable homepage, detailed privacy settings, and a Collections feature for web research.

•Apple Safari: Made for Apple devices, Safari is known for its energy efficiency and smooth performance on macOS and iOS. Apple started fingerprinting protection—preventing web trackers from finding you by your system specs. Unfortunately, the EFF's Cover Your Tracks test site only shows partial protection from trackers in Safari.

•Opera: Features a built-in ad blocker and various other tools to enhance your browsing experience. It includes a built-in VPN that protects and reroutes traffic from Opera to cloak your IP address. More unique features in Opera include its Speed Dial start and New Tab page, as well as a quick-access sidebar. My Flow lets you send webpages and notes between devices easily. The browser also includes a video pop-out window, a Pinboard feature like Edge's Collections, and a Workspaces feature that lets you create function-based tab views. Opera offers a cryptocurrency wallet as a choice, which supports popular tokens.

•Vivaldi: A highly customizable browser that allows users to tweak every aspect of their browsing experience. It includes built-in ad and tracker blockers, ensuring a more private browsing experience.

•Brave: Focuses on privacy by blocking ads and trackers by default. It includes features like private browsing with Tor, which hides your IP address and masks your browsing activity.

•Tor Browser: Designed for anonymous browsing, it routes traffic through the Tor network to protect user privacy.

•Other honorable mentions are ARC and Duck Duck Go.

Each of these browsers has its own strengths, so the best one for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Be sure to stick with mainstream browsers…some that are promoted as secure can be malicious or highly ad driven.

If you have further questions or concerns, please reach out today at 877-686-6642. Remember to practice safe browsing habits!

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