What web browser am I using and which one should I use?

People who are less keen about the computer hardware and software, often cannot identify what kind of web browser they are using and this could result in some usage troubles. Sometimes, when there are internet problems, users call some IT helpdesk and ask for some help, when the only help needed is checking your internet browser. Maybe it is not functioning properly, sometimes you just need to update it or even…install it. If any friend of yours installed you some operational system software, he could have forgotten to install a web browser or put the browser shortcut icon on your desktop, in case you don’t know how to find it anyway. Well here are some tips how to identify what browser am I using and some mini reviews of the most popular web browsers.

First of all internet browser is an internet software application which finds and shows websites. There are many browsers out there in the internet world, we will review the most popular and functional ones:..

1. Web browser which is still being considered to be mostly used is Internet Explorer (the newest version 8). It often is included in a Microsoft Windows OS software pack, therefore if you paid for Windows, you must have also paid for Internet Explorer. This isn’t a free and open source web browser.

To discover what kind of Internet Explorer browser am I using, I have to go to the menu items on the top left of the browser window, find “Help” button and click it. A drop down menu will appear, select “About Internet Explorer” button and click it. There you go, the whole browser information is right in front of you. If you happen to be using older Internet Explorer version, just use the same method, look at the same direction for something like: information, support, about buttons. Have a look at the picture sample.

It has always been user friendly application, getting better and better with every new update. However some might argue about it’s safety issue, because there used to be some bugs or loopholes in the early stages of it’s development, which could be used by some potential intruders or hackers to hijack your computer. That may be true and even with the newest updates there will always be a chance for some security flaws. Don’t forget – this browser is considered to be the most popular one, so the number of cyber criminals trying to hack it, is also adequate. Internet Explorer cannot be used elsewhere – like in Mac OS, or Linux, it’s only working in Microsoft system.

2. Mozilla Firefox has already gained the sympathy of internet users which might make up near half of the overall internet users’ market. It’s an open source free of charge software which is being developed at great speed.

How to check what Firefox browser version is in use:
Look at the left top of your browser (file, edit, view…), press the “help” button, and then choose “About Mozilla Firefox” – you will see all the information about you Firefox browser. Look at the picture sample – it is really simple.

The number of Mozilla users constantly grows due to a few reasons:

1. Mozilla developers claim that they react to their open source security problems faster than others. As it is an open source software – the international security experts team is working day and night to improve and make the browsing as safe as possible, making it a number one priority on their list. With an open source nature it is possible for any independent expert get involved in fixing bugs and offer security solutions and extensions.

2. Customization is also one great feature which makes it so attractive to use. You can personalize you web browser in any way you want: browser skins, bookmarks, tabs, add – ons, language choice – you name it.

3. It can be used in Windows, MAC or Linux – the compatibility with several systems is definitely an advantage.

4. Free of charge – yes, you don’t have to pay anything to get it. Cool, isn’t it?

3. Opera. This one really has something to offer for a selective user. Claiming to be the fastest web browser (haven’t checked that) they definitely have put some effort unto the functionality and style. The desktop is very clear and simple with just some tools (back, forward, refresh, home) and menu button visible on the very left top corner. Nothing else attracts your attention. The tabs open in a split of a second.

If you want to check what version you are using, just click on the “Menu” bar (upper left corner), in the drop down  menu choose “Help” and “About Opera”. That’s it.

It has some really interesting features that I should mention:
Page zoom function – let’s you zoom the entire page, not just text inside.
You can also easily turn off and on the images and style sheets.
By the way, it is also compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac.

4. Being developed by Google this web browser is, however, offered to internet users free of charge. It is a really fast browser; java script execution is even faster than in Firefox browser. The page interface is very simple, like Google search engine itself: a few function buttons at the left of the address bar, and the rest is hidden beneath two icons on the right top corner of the browser page – a page icon for managing tabs and Google gears; a wrench for history and other options. That’s it.

How to check your Google chrome version:
Click on the wrench icon and select “About Google Chrome”.

There are some Google browser features which cannot be missed here:
The search field for searching your page history comes in very handy. You will be able to search and find your browser history page titles and content in a few seconds.
Perfect tab functioning – most frequent web pages will be displayed in small frames in a new opened tab.
Stability and tab isolation – if one tab crashes – you don’t have to reset the whole browser. The crash affects just the tab displaying the page, because every tab occupies a separate memory process. However, you have to watch the memory usage.
Compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac.

I myself would recommend using Google chrome or Firefox. Why? Well, just try and the experience will speak for itself.