·        Define and describe what a web browser is

·        Compare and contrast several web browsers

·        Demonstrate some features of web browsers

·        Participate in some tasks on a number of web browsers.

A web browser is software which is downloaded to your device which is used to locate, retrieve and display content on the World Wide Web.  This content includes web pages, images, videos and other files. 

A web browser uses a special software called HTML, which makes the web page readable.  HTML uses code to create font, add images, and connect to other web pages. 

There are many web browsers, each with their own unique features and characteristics.  They all perform one job well, that is to access the Internet and provide the tools for a satisfactory online experience.  However, there are differences between them, which we will consider as we look at some major browsers.

 Many people ask if they need more than one browser.  The answer is YES!  Different browsers may result in a slightly different look or feel to a web page.  Also, there are instances where a certain website will work better with one web browser over the other.  Some browsers may work better with certain operating systems (Safari is a web browser owned by Apple, Internet Explorer is owned by Microsoft and Google Chrome is owned by Google). 

Some people confuse browsers with search engines.  They are not the same thing.  We will explain search engines later in the lesson.  

 You can use any web browser on any computer, regardless of the operating system and type of computer. 

 Mobile devices use web browsers as well, but these are actually known as “microbrowsers”.  They are optimized for the smaller screen and use less power and memory over the ones used on your computer or laptop.  They may also have fewer features than the computer version.

Examples of Web browsers:

Browsers can be very different.  They may be designed with features in place which may enhance AI features, increase privacy, limit tracking and more. Here are some of the web browsers you might have heard of:

Google Chrome:  Known for its speed and efficiency, Chrome dominates the market with its vast extension ecosystem and seamless integration with Google services.

Firefox: Developed by Mozilla, Firefox is known for its emphasis on privacy and customization, offering extensive add-on support such as specialized ad blockers, low memory usage and the ability to add even more filters for privacy, malware protection, cookies and more.

Microsoft Edge: Microsoft Edge was developed by Microsoft and designed to be faster, safer, and more compatible than its predecessor, Internet Explorer. Launched officially alongside Windows 10 in 2015, Edge offers features like a reading mode for distraction-free viewing of articles, and extensive tools for annotating, highlighting, and sharing web content. With a focus on security and privacy, Edge provides options such as tracking prevention and a private browsing mode.

Opera:  Opera stands out among web browsers with features aimed at enhancing user experience and efficiency. It includes an integrated ad blocker, free VPN service, and the Opera Turbo mode, which compresses data to speed up browsing on slower connections. Additionally, Opera offers a sidebar with instant access to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, allowing users to chat and browse at the same time without switching tabs.

Brave:  The Brave Browser emphasizes privacy and speed and includes a built-in ad blocker that not only blocks intrusive ads but also prevents trackers, enhancing user privacy and significantly speeding up page load times. It also features an innovative reward system, where users can earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) by opting in to view privacy-respecting ads. This approach upends traditional online advertising models by directly rewarding users for their attention while offering content creators a new revenue stream through user donations.

Safari:  Safari is a browser designed for Apple devices and optimized for the Mac ecosystem, offering significant speed and energy efficiency, along with strong privacy protections. Safari features include energy efficiency, which extends battery life on MacBooks, and a strong focus on privacy that limits cross-site tracking.  It also includes features like Reading List and iCloud Tabs which simplify access to content and syncing across devices

Tor:  The Tor Browser is designed for privacy and anonymity on the internet. It operates on the Tor network, which routes users' web traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, which hides the locations and usage of users from anyone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis. This makes it exceptionally powerful for protecting personal privacy, evading censorship, and accessing the web without revealing one's IP address. Tor's design allows users to browse both the surface web and the deep web with enhanced privacy protections not offered by standard browsers. Tor is a critical tool for journalists, activists, and anyone else who prioritizes privacy and free access to information online.

Although they may be different, there are things that we do with all web browsers.  Here is a discussion of basic browser functions.  Note that we will demonstrate each of these in class.

1. Opening and closing a browser:  You open a browser by finding the icon on your device (task bar/app).  To close the browser, click on the X in the upper right of the screen.  NOTE:  You do not have to close the browser when going to another website or webpage.  Instead, open a new tab.

2. Going to a website or searching:  The browser has a box called the address bar.  This box is where you put in the URL (address) of the site you wish to visit.  You can use the same box to search for a site.  If you include the entire address (https://domain.com) it will go directly to the site.  If you enter a term (web browsers), it will open in the default search engine and will provide a list of results.

3. Opening a new page:  Click on the “+” next to the open tab.  That will open a new page.  Enter the name or search term into that box as well.  NOTE:  You can have multiple tabs open at once.

4. Refreshing the page:  Often, you will want to update the page.  Some examples include a news and sports sites, browser glitches where it may not load properly or is not responding, online shopping, banking or travel sites (as you make adjustments to your query), social media (where conversations are continuing) and streaming services (when it is not loading properly).  To refresh, you will  look for the circle with an arrow (  )

5. Going back to the previous page:  If you have used the same tab for a new web page, you will see the back arrow is darker.  Click on it to get to the previous page.  If you click on it and hold, you can see the history of that particular tab.  NOTE:  This is by tab and not by session on the web browser.

6. Clearing the cache:  The web browser cache is a temporary storage location on your computer where the browser keeps files downloaded from the Internet, such as web pages, images, and multimedia content. This is done to make subsequent visits to the same site faster because the browser can load files from the cache instead of downloading them again from the web server. However, it is recommended that you periodically clear the cache for different reasons.  They include things like website updates, technical issues (websites not loading or behaving erratically), privacy and security (especially important when sharing your computer) and freeing up space on your device.  To clear the cache, you will look in settings of the browser for “privacy” or “history” and you will either “clear history” or “clear cache”.  You may have to state which files to delete and the time period to delete from.

7. Cookies:  When clearing the cache, you will come across cookies.  Cookies are tiny text files that are saved in your web browser's folder by websites. They are designed to improve how users navigate and interact with websites. Whenever you visit a website, it sends data to your browser, which then generates a cookie. This cookie is accessed and sent back to the website's server each time you return, enabling the website to recognize you and your preferences. They may include login details, information about how you used the site, your preferences, privacy settings and more.  They can make your web browsing more efficient and personal, but they may raise questions about privacy and tracking.  Some web browsers allow you to clear your cookies after each session.

8. Bookmarking, reading lists and favorites:  Although all web browsers allow some form of this, they may be different.  Later in the class, we will show specific web browsers and how to create bookmarks and favorites.  

9. Downloading and uploading files:  Websites may also allow you to download files on their site.  For example, while working on your taxes, you may need the instructions for filing that Schedule A to itemize.  You can download that file from the IRS official site (irs.gov).  In this case, you are taking a document which is stored on the IRS site and sending it down to your device.  You can also upload to a website.  A simple example is when you upload a picture to a social network.  In this case, you are taking that picture from your device and sending it up to the social network. 

10. Private browsers: All browsers allow you to use a private window,  In this case, other users will not see your activity.  In addition, sites will not be able to download cookies to your device, and your history will not remember any information entered in forms.  In some cases, private browsing may also block third-party cookies.  However, in all cases, your activity can still be visible to your Internet service provider or your employer if you are using a work machine. They are found by clicking on the 3 dots or 3 lines on the far right of the browser screen and choosing the incognito or private browsing option.

11. Saving passwords:  Most browsers allow you to save passwords.  This option can be found in settings.  You can then use these saved passwords when revisiting sites.

12. Extensions:  Most browsers allow you to install extensions, which are small software modules which add features to the web browser.  They are designed to enhance and personalize the user experience.  Extensions can include things like password managers, translators, dictionaries and more.  They are usually found in the store of the web browser.  

13. Settings:  All browsers allow you to modify your settings.  Settings are found by clicking on the 3 dots or 3 horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the web browser.  Spend some time looking at them on your favorite browser.

·        Caching:  As you browse the web, your computer saves files and images that you request.  This is called “caching”.  The web browser may also call them “temporary internet files”.  This process helps speed up the experience on the web.  You can control your caching options by going to tools > Internet options.  You will see an area called Temporary Internet files. 

·        SSL:  You will sometimes see a little padlock on your web address bar.   This means that the site is on a “secure server”, which is important if you are submitting sensitive data.  SSL is a special layer of security.  You will also see it identified in the address as https (instead of http)

·        Tool bars:  Your web browser may show a tool bar (see example above).  These are unique to each browser and can be selected or deselected as required.  Tool bars do things like perform a search, autofill a text box, or block pop-ups. 

·        Cookies:  Cookies are small text files that live in the browser directory.  They are used by web developers to help users navigate their websites efficiently.  They are created when the browser loads a particular website.  The website sends information to the browser which creates a text file.  Each time you return to that site, the browser retrieves and sends this file to the website’s serve.  Some uses for cookies:

o   They are used to authenticate, storing login information so users can enter and leave without having to re-enter the same information over and over. 

o   They can store information about what you did while on the site, so you can easily pick up where you left off when you return to the site.  Because web pages don’t have memory, cookies tell the server what pages to show the user so they don’t have to navigate the site over and over.  They are like bookmarks in this way.

o   They may also store user preferences, such as themes and site layouts.

o   Cookies are NOT viruses.  They are a plain text file.  However, since they store information about your browsing preferences and history, they can be used as a type of spyware.  This is why anti-spyware products will frequently warn you about deleting cookies. 

o   Your browser lets you set a level of cookie acceptance. 

o   Most sites will warn you if they use cookies. 

Viewing all options:

Browsers offer a number of services, some unique and some shared to all browsers.  All will have some sort of 3 dot or 3-line icon to the far right of the browser, same level as the web address.  From there, you can sign in to sync, open new window, open incognito window, history (clear history), downloads (on that browser), extensions and settings. 

Settings:   

You will find different options depending on the browser, but you should know where they are, and should spend a little time with privacy and search.  Consider:

·        Having web browser to continue where you left off, or by opening a new page, or a specific page (Startup)

·        Clear browsing history (Privacy or history)

·        Safety check (Chrome)

·        Permissions (privacy and security)

·        Sync to other devices

Bookmarks:  Adding, deleting, organizing and importing: (Chrome)

·        Add:  Click on the star, name bookmark and say where to store (Bookmarks bar, other bookmarks, folders you have set up)

·        Delete: Highlight bookmark, right click, delete

·        Organize in Bookmark manager:

o   3 dots, click Bookmarks and then Bookmark manager

o   Move folders and files in left pane (left click and drag)

o   Delete folder on left (left click, delete)

o   Organize into alphabetical order. Can do this by folder, from large folder (Bookmark bar) to smaller folders (good health).  Click on folder.  Click on 3 dots next to search bookmark bar.  Click sort by name

·        Import/Export bookmarks: 

o   Click on the 3 dots

o   Click “export”.  File will be saved as an HTML document.

o   Click “import”.  Find the file from the previous browser. 

§  For this, went to Edge.   Clicked on favorites and then import.  Prompted to download from Google.  No need to get file.

§  Firefox:  Right Click on the show sidebar icon (next to library), select bookmarks. (Make sure you have also enabled ‘menu bar’).  On Menu bar, hit ‘file” and ‘import from another browser’. 

§  On all, select browser (must be closed at the time).  Hit finish when done.

§  They will end up in their own folder.  You can delete the folder if you change your mind.

·        Bookmarks bar:  This is a bar just below the address bar.  Any favorites that you have saved to the bookmarks bar will appear hear. 

·        Other bookmarks:  This is where you will find the rest of your favorites.

Extensions

Extensions act as part of the browser.  They are very specific apps, designed to do one thing well.   An example of a valuable extension is a password manager.  Extensions are unique to each browser.   Note:  Extensions can slow down the browser and if it is not reputable can be malware.  Download them carefully.

§  Click on the 3 dots or lines to find extensions

§  See what extensions you have on your system

§  Disable or remove those that you are not sure of

§  Find more in “get extensions”

Save password

All save passwords.  You can set up or disable in settings.  You can also delete passwords if you wish.  Caution when syncing your browser to other devices, because this will also expose your passwords if someone gets your device.  The Save Password feature is unique to each browser.

Update browser

Most will be automatically updated.  You may be asked when you log in to complete the update, or you may see a notice (update pending).

Unique to some browsers:

Edge: 

§  Read aloud (3 dots, read aloud).  Will read webpage for you.

§  Collections (next to the star of favorites)

§  Either create new collection (or add to a collection)

§  Find a webpage which is related to that collection

§  Click on “add current page”

Chrome: 

§  Task manager (if something is stalling the browser, you can access and end this here).  3 dots, more tools, task manager

§  Safety check (safe from data breaches, bad extensions, etc.). Settings, safety check.

 Firefox: 

§  Protections dashboard (3 lines, protections dashboard)

§  Pocket:  Use this to save websites.  Click on library and pocket list.  Sign up.  Use email but make up new password for this.  Click on discover to find some interesting things.

• Safari:

  • •  All preferences, views, bookmarks, etc. found on menu bar while in Safari

    • Select Help>Safari Help to see a User Guide for Safari

Tutorial:  Here is an excellent tutorial from GCF Learn Free

Tutorial:  Here is another tutorial which demonstrates some features of web browsers. Keep clicking for more information on the site. 

Tutorial on TOR:  Use this comprehensive guide on Tor to learn more.