Choosing a browser is one of the most difficult and confusing tasks of any computer user. There are so many different browsers that it’s hard to know what is best for you. Some people say that their favourite browser is the one that they happen to be using at the time, and others will tell you all about their experience with Firefox or Chrome or Internet Explorer, but who’s really right?
In this article we will talk about different browsers: what they have in common and what makes them different from each other. We’ll also talk about which ones are best for privacy and which ones are more efficient when loading pages.
What browsers are there?
There are many browsers on the Internet, from Mozilla Firefox, Brave, Apple Safari and Google Chrome to Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera and a whole collection of lesser-known ones. Actually, there’s also a mobile browser called the Opera Mini that can be used on mobile phones. Some smaller companies have their own browsers too, such as Lavasoft or K9 Web Security. However you choose to browse the Internet — desktop computer, tablet or smartphone — there are some surprising facts that we should be aware of:
1. There is only one real browser .
All other browsers are based on “WebKit” which was developed by the company Apple and now is the most powerful engine for displaying web pages in our browsers. WebKit is used in Safari, Chrome, Opera, Mini, and Firefox. It’s also the basis of many ‘alternative’ browsers that were built for special purposes.
2. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) wants to make the whole Internet one big webpage .
Websites are currently hosted on servers with different addresses (or URLs) but now there’s a project called “Service Workers” which will allow websites to be put into folders on your PC and opened like any other folder. In the future, everything on the Internet will be in one place. It might not seem important now but it’s something to bear in mind when we talk about privacy later.
3. All browsers are based on the same technology.
They all use “cookies” which are text files that keep a record of your activity online and store your preferences (such as login details) so that you don’t have to type them into each site that you visit. They also have ad blockers, malware filters and dozens of other features but what they all have in common is the way they display web pages — like a suit wrapped around a body underneath clothes.
Who is using which browser?
In the world of computers, although not in every single one, these are the most popular browsers:
1. Google Chrome — 46% of all browsers worldwide
2. Mozilla Firefox — 23%.
3. Apple Safari — 12%.
4. Mobile Safari — 6%.
5. Brave — Less than 10%. It’s an “independent” browser that blocks all ads and has no connection to Google. (“brave” is my favorite — just like Bitcoin, little known and highly valued)
It comes pre-installed on the iPhone and iPad but can be uninstalled by deleting the “MobileSafari” app in Application folders. It’s also on Android phones and tablets but can be uninstalled by opening Settings > Manage apps and tapping the app you want to delete there; Or just swipe across it in your phone or tablet’s interface.
What are the differences?
1. The menu system.
Each browser has a different way of working with the menus and options, which makes it difficult to switch between them when you’re used to one way of doing things. Firefox is set up like Internet Explorer in that it can have multiple windows open at once, but with a different and more advanced interface. Chrome has both collapsible and expandable menus but they open only on the next page. Safari has some extra functions for managing bookmarks and history but they don’t open when you’re on another webpage.
2. Bookmarks .
Bookmarks are a great way of managing your favorite links so that you can find them again. You can save bookmarks to the Cloud so they are stored across all your browsers, and also in specific folders for each browser. Bookmarks can be synced through iCloud if you use a Mac, Google if you use Android or Microsoft if you use Windows.
3. The ways to add websites on the toolbar and in the address bar.
Each browser has different ways of doing this. If you’re using Safari, you can find your own website by typing its address (URL) or name. If you want to put it on the address bar as a home page, hit the Plus button. Chrome has a shortcut that is [Chrome]+D and Firefox uses [Firefox]+D to open a new window and type in the URL for your website or bookmark. Once again, Safari has a different way of adding web pages:-
4. How do you manage your passwords?
Each browser stores passwords differently but they all have some sort of auto-fill function which fills in login details for linked accounts when using websites. Brave, Chrome, Firefox and Safari all support auto-fill but you’ll have to enable it through settings.
5. Security.
Safari has been criticized for being the least secure of the main browsers but it’s also the most private in that it doesn’t keep any history or track your movements. I tend to use Safari because Google tracks everything and I want to keep my movements private. On the other hand, Chrome has an incredibly clever algorithm that detects dangerous sites for you and keeps you safe from malware without having to go through any extra security measures in settings.
6. The speed.
The speed is another important factor in choosing a browser. Safari and Firefox are the fastest, and Chrome is pretty fast but, as you know, it’s slowed down by all of the ads it blocks. Brave is significantly faster than any other browser.
7. The look and feel.
This is a matter of personal taste, but each browser has a unique look and feel that makes all the difference in how pleasing it is to use. Brave has a color scheme that’s bright and friendly because it’s designed to be easy to use. Chrome is more businesslike because the interface has been designed to work flawlessly on every device from phones to tablets, laptops and desktops. Safari, of course, looks like Internet Explorer.
8. The privacy features (encryption).
These days, even browsers have come up with special features for protecting your information — and your identity — online. Brave has a special new feature called Brave Shields designed to keep you safe from spies, ad trackers and other threats from your internet provider. Brave also blocks ads and shields you from malware, but it lets you see all the ads and trackers they’re blocking, so you can make an informed choice about whether or not to view them. Chrome is another great browser that lets you configure how much data the browser is allowed to send by default. Firefox’s Private Browsing Mode is a mode that doesn’t store any information about browsing history on computer after it’s closed. For more advanced users, there is an option to log in without storing any data on your computer at all.
9. The add-ons.
One of the most important features of a web browser is the ability to install extensions, which allow you to install third-party software that makes the browser more powerful or interactive. Brave has over 200 useful extensions that add new features for searching, sharing, creating a news feed, protecting your privacy, and improving access for people who are visually impaired or have difficulty with standard text. Chrome users can also use an extension called HTTPS Everywhere that automatically switches websites from HTTP to HTTPS when visiting a page with default HTTP connections.
10. Brave Payments.
Most users today have a PayPal account, but even if you don’t, you can still create an account and get the Play Store’s downloadable Brave extension for Chrome. Once you have it installed, just click the “Brave Payments” app in the top right corner and start earning Brave Rewards!
What can Brave do for me?
Brave is giving people more control over their online browsing experience by giving users a choice about how much information websites they use are allowed to store and sending the user identity only to their browser when their privacy is in danger. It’s designed to keep everyone — users and advertisers — in control of how much information is shared with each other on webpages. Safe, Smart and Step-By-Step Security
Website security measures vary, but on most sites, attackers exploit the same general vulnerabilities: SQL injection bugs, unencrypted authentication tokens and cross-site request forgery. You can avoid all three by using encryption at the server level. WordPress is a secure choice for website owners because it provides protection against a wide variety of online threats:
• Your entire site The plugin includes advanced features like WPS (WordPress Plugin Security Scanner), which checks every plugin you install to make sure it’s safe.
• Your sensitive data Use the WP Safe Data CSV Import feature to import any file as secure data. This means WordPress lets you protect your data from attackers with a click of a button.
• Secure login The plugin includes a human-friendly login form that offers more security than typical password renewal options (like 4-digit password, no SSL, noRemember). It also makes sure that the user is logged in with their WordPress site, which can help if an attacker’s account is compromised.
• Logging and reporting A centralized data collection system makes it easy to monitor and fix any vulnerabilities that get past the plugin.
No one should have to use a third-party plugin when they could go online to find a real solution. The WP Security Scanner plugin lets you know for sure that your website is safe.
11. The ads.
Disabling advertisements can be helpful if you’re using a slow internet connection or you experience slow loading times because they eat up bandwidth, but ads are important for websites in many other ways including providing revenue for their upkeep and funding.
Ads are what pay for the web and if you want to save on your mobile phone’s data plan, you’ll need to turn them on. Most sites don’t have too many ads on them but there are ways of getting around this. You can always buy an internet connection that’s unlimited and faster than others, or even use free Wi-Fi hotspots that let you access the Satellte LInk Network (via TP Link) for free regardless of whether you’re using it or not.
12. How much data it uses on mobile phones.
Mobile phones use a lot less data than laptops or desktops but Brave is designed to keep mobile users safe as well by blocking dangerous advertising software from tracking you on-the-go (as well as at home when connected to Wi-Fi). This means using Brave to keep your phone safe from malware and viruses that use personal data from advertising networks to target you with spam. If you want more information on how Brave does this, just tap the “Learn” button anytime you see a warning or notice about the safety of a website and you’ll get full details about what’s going on and why it’s important to keep your phone safe.
13. The speed of downloads.
If you’re buying a 4G LTE connection, then you’ll want it to be faster than 3G connections provided by other providers like AT&T and Verizon which are slower due to additional steps required in their system. Brave supports every major browser and lets you choose which browser you want to download the browser extension from.
Conclusion: The best internet browser is Brave (I have been using it for 2 years and I am really very satisfied)
All features of Brave internet browser:
1. Protect your privacy by blocking tracking ads and websites that use your data to target you.
2. Stop paying for data charges or switch to a free unlimited data plan and search without worrying about overage fees. This makes using Brave even more appealing for people who are looking for ways to save money on their internet bill each month.
3. Brave has a built-in ad blocker that not only blocks ads (something Chrome does not do) but also stops trackers from collecting health info, phone numbers, and more each time you click on an ad! The only way out of this is to pay sites like Facebook or Google who are making billions of dollars selling your personal information to other companies without your permission.
4. Brave is designed to work on every device you own from mobile phones to tablets, laptops and desktops. The same browser is available on every platform so you can always switch between them regardless of what device you’re using or which one has the best connection at the time.
5. The ad-free browsing experience is faster than other browsers because Brave has already blocked most of the ads and trackers from websites that slow down your connection. So instead of slowing down the site, it just shows what’s left without slowing anything down!
6. Brave has a built-in paid digital advertising system that allows publishers to get paid for the content they create. This means a faster browsing experience with fewer ads when you’re using your favorite sites and more money for the sites you enjoy.
7. Brave is free (it’s not just an ad blocker, it’s another browser) and it doesn’t collect any of your personal information and there are no trackers or malware threats to worry about! The way you pay for Brave is by viewing ads on the websites you visit so if you want to pay nothing, all you have to do is open up a new tab every time you visit a website.
8. Brave is a secure browser that helps keep you and your information safe from hackers, bots, and malware. It blocks third-party software that might be collecting personal information like your phone number or credit card info without your permission.
9. Brave’s built-in ad replacement feature is easy to use: just choose which sites you want ads on and never see another banner! It’s easier to let Brave decide which ads (not trackers) to block than it is to try blocking them yourself so you’re free to browse the way you want with almost no restrictions!
10. Brave’s secure login feature is just as secure as it is easy to use! You can type in your usual password like “123456789” but Brave doesn’t store it and the login fails if you try using a weak password that might be easy for an attacker to guess. Instead, Brave saves your username, which is good if you’re using the same username and password combo on other sites.
11. Brave’s identity authentication system lets you choose which sites are allowed access to which types of information when you’re tracking your activity online. Brave’s goal is to make you more aware of your browsing habits and let you choose which sites can access your private data.
12. Brave lets you pin tabs so that they stay open on top of the browser. You can keep an eye on the tabs you need to keep open while hiding the others until you’re ready to close them, which makes it easy to multitask between different sites without losing track of what’s going on as easily as other browsers.
13. If you’re using Android, search with DuckDuckGo and get better results quickly! With Brave, all the search results are encrypted from start to finish so no one can read your sensitive information or track your activity online without permission.
14. Downloading is easy to do and you can download torrents directly to your device for private peer-to-peer file sharing. The built-in anonymity feature guarantees that your data stays safe even when using torrents or other P2P protocols so no one will be able to monitor your activity.
15. Brave keeps track of your passwords (but doesn’t store them!) so you don’t have to remember them all! Just tap on a saved URL and the password will pop up as soon as the page loads, making it easy for you to log in and keep things secure without all the hassle of remembering long password strings or typing them in manually every time!
16. Brave has a built-in ad blocker (which Chrome does not have) that blocks ads, trackers, and malware threats before they even load! From the start, Brave is ready to keep your data safe no matter what you do online.
17. Brave doesn’t track your activity online or try to collect any of your personal information so there’s no way anyone can steal your private data or spy on the sites you visit. You can browse freely knowing that nothing else is recording what you’re doing online and no one will be able to steal your information from all of those websites you visit each day.
18. Brave’s decentralized ad exchange system (instead of having one central authority run ads on their servers) helps keep ads away from your computer or mobile device and prevents you from seeing bad ads that are consistently being shown to the same people.
19. Since Brave doesn’t track your data, it doesn’t cost anything to use! You can pay by viewing adverts within sites you visit, browsing anonymously using a VPN app like Private Internet Access, or even paying for a plan from your favorite provider that includes unlimited internet so you don’t have to worry about overage fees if you’re worried about saving money on your bill each month.
20. Brave’s built-in cloud backup keeps your bookmarks and settings from one browsing session to the next so that you can always pick up where you left off, and it only takes a few seconds to make a copy!
Try “Brave browser”
It has so many features that I am really tired of writing :)
In short, brave is the same as chrome in terms of design. But aside from the brave de chrome features, there are hundreds of extra features.
