Web-Browsing with Firefox Instead of Internet Explorer

Firefox is a completely free open-source web browser created by the Mozilla Foundation. Although many people haven't heard of it before, it is a very popular alternative to Internet Explorer. In fact, Firefox's latest version was so popular that it set the Guinness World Record for most downloaded software in a 24-hour period when it was released on June 17, 2008.

Firefox is a great alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, mostly because of its security and customization. Firefox is able to download items more quickly, is vastly more secure against malicious viruses and hackers, and offers great customization options, making it an obvious choice for people who spend a lot of their time browsing the Internet.

Internet Explorer lacks the multitude of great add-ons (downloadable enhancements) that Firefox offers. Mozilla has cultivated and encouraged a very creative user-based community that offers a wide range of options for customization. Thousands of add-ons of all different types are available for download at the Mozilla website, allowing users to personalize their Firefox experience.

Firefox also employs tabbed browsing, which makes browsing multiple web pages possible. A great feature that allows users to view different web pages in a single browser window, which is especially convenient for comparison shopping.

Although tabbed browsing has finally been adopted by Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft's browser significantly slows down after just several tabs have been opened, whereas Firefox can handle many more before any noticeable reduction in speed or responsiveness. Firefox also has the huge advantage because its users are able to customize their tabs through Mozilla's database of add-ons geared specifically at improving the tabbed browsing feature.

Firefox also uses only a small amount of memory, as opposed to the large memory footprint of its rival, Internet Explorer. Firefox 3 has an even smaller footprint than its predecessors. What does this mean? Basically, the program takes less computer memory when you open it, and even less memory to keep it running. Firefox also contains an incredibly useful recovery feature that attempts to restore a Firefox session if it should ever crash or shutdown improperly.

Lastly, Firefox's biggest advantage over Internet Explorer is its superior security. Internet Explorer users are constantly at risk of getting viruses and spyware when they browse the Internet. Firefox, on the other hand, gives users peace of mind knowing that their web browser contains superb embedded security features that protect against viruses, spyware and pop-up ads. Firefox's programmers are also constantly on the alert, and are quick to respond to anything that may be considered a security threat.

Of course, Firefox has its disadvantages as well, mainly in the form of incompatibility. Some websites designed specifically for Internet Explorer will not display properly or at all with Firefox, especially pages with ActiveX and VBScript, which are not supported by Firefox.

Mozilla is one of several free downloadable Internet browsers available. Smaller memory footprint, high levels of customization, faster load times and better security all make Mozilla's Firefox a worthy competitor in the internet browser war. So try it out for yourself and decide if it's the right browser for you.