After a long period of market domination, Microsoft’s global spread left it a prominent target of cyber criminals. What followed as a browser war with Microsoft and Internet Explorer. A year later, the Netscape Navigator revolutionized the market forever. In 1993, NCSA Mosaic appeared – the first web browser with a graphical user interface. This could only display text, but graphics could be opened via the WorldWideWeb with a simple click. Just two years later, he published this pioneering browser in combination with the lite Line Mode Browser. The first web browser, known as WorldWideWeb (later Nexus), was developed by the creator of HTML, Tim Berners-Lee, in 1989. Mozilla Firefox leads the way, while Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are doing their best to catch up.

Data protection: A secure browser should store as little user data as possible and offer options to adapt data protection settings to personal requirements.

Ensure you use secure passwords, visit trustworthy websites, and do not download suspicious programs. However, when surfing safely, the browser is just as important as user behavior. Integrated phishing- and malware-detection can also be a wise investment. Google, for example, updates its Chrome browser every two weeks.

Security: When it comes to the security of web browsers, you should pay attention to providers who regularly update their browsers.

However, the operating system and the end device also play a major role in the speed of a browser. Chrome is leading the field, followed by Opera, Firefox, and Edge.

Speed: In terms of the loading speed of search results, the most commonly available browsers hardly differ.

Similarly, it is not a good idea to use Apple's Safari browser on Windows operating systems, because the security requirements and support are only optimized for Apple operating systems. However, if you own an iPhone (iOS), for example, you cannot install browsers that are designed for Android devices only. Many work for the most common operating systems, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Opera. Operating system: Not every browser is available for every operating system.For smartphones and tablets there specially adapted versions or apps of the desktop browsers are available.

If you use a desktop or laptop, you can choose between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge, and many other browsers. End device: Web browsers differ depending on the type of end device.What criteria should you consider when looking for a great browser? As the main gateway to browsing the internet, a browser can make a difference to the surfing experience.

The best free internet browsers