Why is your choice of web browser important? Because browsers are arguably the most used programs on personal computers, putting access to almost any information at your fingertips.
Features such as tabbed browsing, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) information feeds and customisation with widgets, plug-ins, add-ons, extensions and other programs enhance your internet browsing experience.
A good web browser will also provide security measures against malware such as spam, spyware, objectionable material and ID theft.
Two important features of any web browser are speed and compatibility. Although the speeds of your internet connection, your computer and the site you’re looking at will ultimately determine how fast you can operate on the internet, the speed of the browser itself also makes a difference. Our testing shows considerable differences in how fast web browsers start up and run, and how accurately they process major web languages such as HTML and JavaScript.
You’re not limited to using just one browser – you can switch between them for different browsing tasks. But whichever browsers you use, it’s important to configure the settings carefully, especially for privacy and security.
International market share
- Internet Explorer 63%
- Firefox 25%
- Safari 5%
- Chrome 4%
- Opera 2%
Many others share the remaining 1%. (Source: online marketing consultants Net Applications, January 2010.)
Safari is more popular here in New Zealand with over 10 percent of visitors to consumer.org.nz using it.
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