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• Internet Explorer's security holes cause it to regularly provide surprises. The following applies to servers: only surf the Internet if there is no other alternative. Don't ever access the Internet without a firewall and functioning anti-virus software. First, it is important to also modify the temporary directory for the Internet Explorer (Tools, Internet Options, Setting for Temporary Internet files). Since a subdirectory for temporary Internet files is automatically created, the browser has no possibility to access temporary system files that may be sensitive in nature - i.e. don't worry. We would also restrict the maximum size of this folder. By default, the Explorer helps itself as though there were no tomorrow. However, a few megaBytes are adequate for our needs. The security settings of the Internet Explorer should be left at high. ... Or Perhaps Another Browser: Mozilla Firefox 0.9 Firefox appears to be slowly becoming the alternative to the Internet Explorer, because it is small, fast and powerful without dragging along a lot of security holes. The browser is also safer because far fewer users use it than the Internet Explorer. Consequently, there are also fewer hackers interested in it. The multifunctional input line is really useful in Firefox. Small plug-ins can be obtained for it so that you can search directly for desired articles at eBay or Amazon, or you can google using keywords. There are many options to choose from and the value is enormous.

• The Web browser is essential, and to a growing number of users even more important than the operating system itself. As more tasks commonly associated with locally-installed applications are being accomplished using online services, the Web browser will only become more critical in the future. If Firefox seems like the de facto browser for Linux, that's because it is. However, Windows users will remember late last year when Internet Explorer security holes drove them en masse to Firefox, only to later discover similar exploits in Firefox. This incident drove home the need to have multiple browsers installed, if only for emergency backup use. To put these browsers through a quick (and admittedly unscientific) test, I utilized some of the Internet's most popular Web sites. For starters, I performed a few random searches on Google to gauge page-load speed. Next, I simply navigated to the Yahoo homepage. Believe it or not, that site doesn't support very many browsers. I navigated to my house using the maps at Microsoft's new Bing.com (why not test in unfriendly territory?). And finally, I played the current feature video on Hulu, and the same on YouTube. Mozilla Firefox (v. 3.0.11) Mozilla's Firefox is the undisputed king of Web browsers on the Linux platform. No matter what any given distribution has installed by default, the vast majority of Linux users rely on Firefox as their primary window into the World Wide Web. It's popularity is due in large part to the unparalleled number of custom add-ons and plug-ins available. If a feature exists on any browser, there's probably an add-on to enable it in Firefox. This browser is more stable and secure than Internet Explorer, while still performing similarly on Web site compatibility. With all this going for it, it's no wonder that Firefox holds almost one quarter of the entire Web browser market share. That means about twenty percent of current Windows users prefer it. If you don't already use this browser, regardless of your OS, you should. Opera (v. 9.64) For many years, Opera has been the third wheel at the browser party. Today, it's more like the fifth. Opera has had a long history of innovation, often including cutting-edge features before the competition. By including a thumbnailed bookmarks page, thumbnailed tab previews, and split-screen browsing (not as optional add-ons, but integrated into the default installation), the latest version of Opera is still ahead of it's time. One of the simple features that I especially like is the ability to have a separate entry in the search bar for each tab. For example, if you search for "fried chicken recipes" in one tab, and open a second tab to search for "cornbread recipes," the search bar in the second tab will not have "fried chicken recipes," but will be blank for a new search. If nothing else, Opera is a solid backup or secondary browser and is available for just about every operating system you can think of. BeOS stalwarts rejoice! SeaMonkey (v. 1.1.15) The first thing that you're sure to notice about SeaMonkey Navigator is the Netscape Navigator theme. Of all the browsers in this article, SeaMonkey was the biggest surprise. It is hands-down the best non-mainstream offering on the list, no question. This browser had no problem handling YouTube, Hulu, Yahoo, or even Microsoft Bing Maps. Apart from the theme, being an actual descendant of Netscape makes SeaMonkey very approachable to ex-users of Navigator. When you perform a search using the search bar, a pane appears on the left side of the screen displaying search results. This feature can come in handy if you have the screen real estate to spare on a wide-screen monitor. I really did not expect to find anything decent besides Firefox and Opera, but SeaMonkey is truly a great app; something that will remain installed on my machine long after this article is finished.

• Although Windows already offers several online programs such as Internet Explorer and Outlook Express right out of the box, many users prefer not to use these applications. After all, neither of them can be considered up-to-date, and both are simply not secure. Web Browser Today, Microsoft's web browser is considered one of the least secure programs you can use to surf the web. Using it without its ever-increasing number of patches and a proper configuration is tantamount to an invitation to worm writers, hijackers and spoofers to come in and make themselves at home. Therefore, we recommend using a more modern and safer browser such as Firefox (freeware). The better Browser: Firefox has a lot to offer compared to Internet Explorer: a much higher level of security, tabbed browsing, an integrated pop-up blocker, an easily extensible Web search window, and lots of flexibility. Here's how: Installation is very straightforward. Just click your way through the setup, and in no time you'll have Firefox up and running. Window Cleaning: Internet Explorer is deeply rooted within the operating system and should not be removed. Bear in mind that it is an integral component required for the essential Windows Update feature! Besides, there are programs, such as the RSS reader Feeddemon, that require it as a module and will not work without it. E-Mail Client Outlook Express is conveniently installed by default on every Windows computer, and as a result enjoys a very large user base. Although the program is no longer plagued by the same number of security holes as it did in the past, it is still a very popular target for viruses and worms. Thunderbird (freeware) is a much safer alternative. The better Mail Client: Thunderbird comes with a very powerful spam filter that you can train to improve its success rate. It is also suitable for mailing lists with many recipients and to subscribe to newsgroups. Finally, Thunderbird support not just mailbox access using the simple Post Office Protocol (POP3), but also the far more capable Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). The Thunderbird Mail Client: This program can also be used to subscribe to newsgroups and mailing lists. Here's how: Install Thunderbird. On its first start, the program will ask you whether you want to import email accounts and address books from other email clients. If you answer in the negative, you are next given the opportunity to create a new email account. First, enter your name and email address in the corresponding fields, then choose whether Thunderbird should use POP3 or IMAP. Of course, the second option will only work if your provider supports IMAP. You should only leave the box for "Global Inbox (store mail in local folders)" checked if you check several accounts and want all messages to be collected in one inbox. You can get the addresses for the incoming and outgoing mail server from your provider. Next, you have to enter your account's user name. Although, this is usually the same as your email address, this is not always the case. Finally, enter a name under "Account Name" to complete the configuration. Now, let Thunderbird contact the mail server(s). The first time it establishes a connection, the program will prompt you for your password, which you can choose to add to the password manager by checking the little box under the input field. Window Cleaning: Under Windows XP, only the start menu entry for Outlook Express can be removed. To do so, go to "Start, (Settings), Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs" and click on "Add/Remove Windows Components" on the left-hand side. Scroll down in this window labeled "Components" until you find the entry for "Outlook Express". Uncheck the box and click on "Next".