Firefox Browser

Web surfing has belonged almost exclusively to Microsoft Corp.’s Internet Explorer ever since it buried Netscape’s pioneering browser.

That doesn’t seem to have bothered the developers of the Mozilla Firefox, a feisty new kid on the block that’s worth a serious look.

Officially released last week, Firefox packs security protections and other welcome features that emphasize just how little Microsoft has innovated its aging Microsoft browser in recent years.

True, Microsoft made significant security improvements to IE when it released Service Pack 2 for Windows XP computers in August. But the improvements aren’t available for older Windows systems.

Nor does the updated IE offer a versatile search box, feeds of frequently visited Web pages or the ability to open windows within windows. The biggest reason to consider Firefox is security.

That’s not to say you can’t get spyware or other malicious code using Firefox, but risks are greatly reduced.

Of course, no good product comes without a catch. Some users have run into trouble with a few Web sites designed specifically for IE, mainly those requiring ActiveX controls or the portion of JavaScript in which Microsoft departs from published standards.

As an alternative to IE, Firefox is a strong contender. And for the few sites that don’t work with Firefox, you can always launch IE.

Source: Associated Press