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The second version of the revolutionary Web browser

The second version of the revolutionary Web browser

Vote: (117 votes)

Program license: Free

Version: 2.0.0.20

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(117 votes)

Free

Version

2.0.0.20

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Free, open-source software available under almost every operating system
  • Intuitive tabbed interface
  • Has a robust RSS reader
  • Built with security and privacy in mind
  • Flexible bookmarking and tagging system
  • Infinitely customizable
  • Can render PDF files natively
  • Can restore your session if there is a crash
  • Ability to sync your bookmarks with your phone, tablet, or other computers

Cons

  • All technical support and documentation is provided on a forum or wiki
  • Does not work with some Microsoft sites like Windows Update

Firefox is a free, secure, attractive, open-source web browser available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Its tabbed interface, clean layout, and full customizability make it a popular choice for many people. Many users appreciate its RSS reader, download manager, and ability to add plug-ins to boost the functionality of the program. Users can also use themes to change the color and appearance of Firefox's controls and background.

Firefox is a stable, standards-compliant browser with extensive support for a wide range of multimedia and document types. It can view PDF files natively, rendering the document in the browser window without using Adobe Acrobat. It also supports a wide range of audio and video formats. There is also an extension that adds Flash support to the browser.

Firefox is open source and works on almost every OS. Because of this, it has an active, innovative community of plug-in and theme developers who extend Firefox's abilities in creative ways. Plug-ins range from an EPub book reader to a blogging add-on. There are security plug-ins like NoScript as well as a special interface for Gmail.

Many users appreciate Firefox's automatic update feature for both the browser and any installed plug-ins. Mozilla updates Firefox roughly every six weeks, adding new features as well as bug fixes and security enhancements.

Firefox is known for its security and commitment to users' privacy. Mozilla sponsors contests and pays rewards when researchers find bugs, making the software more resistant to hacking. Firefox has an excellent pop-up blocker and plays nicely with anti-virus software that you may have installed on your computer. Its password manager helps you safely store passwords for sites that you visit often. Firefox is the browser with the best SSL certificate validation and revocation system. It also has a smart anti-phishing filter that learns over time.

Firefox is stable and well tested before updates are released. For the rare times it does crash, the software can restore your session, taking you back to the web page you were using. There is also a crash reporting tool that you can use to let Firefox developers know about the crash. This information can help developers track down bugs to be fixed in the next release.

Finally, Firefox has a powerful bookmarking and tagging system to make organizing and retrieving sites a piece of cake. It can export your bookmarks to other browsers, and there is an optional feature that lets you sync your bookmarks with your cell phone, tablet, or other computers.

Pros

  • Free, open-source software available under almost every operating system
  • Intuitive tabbed interface
  • Has a robust RSS reader
  • Built with security and privacy in mind
  • Flexible bookmarking and tagging system
  • Infinitely customizable
  • Can render PDF files natively
  • Can restore your session if there is a crash
  • Ability to sync your bookmarks with your phone, tablet, or other computers

Cons

  • All technical support and documentation is provided on a forum or wiki
  • Does not work with some Microsoft sites like Windows Update