Security Issues?
Will switching to another browser actually help prevent some if not all security issues? Yes and no. However, i will get into that later on; first the features.
Firefox
Pros
- Accessibility
- A lot of useful extensions
- A lot of nice themes
- Tabbed browsing
- No Active-X
- Built-in Pop-up Blocker
- Anti-phishing
- Built-in Spell Checker
- Session Restore
- Search Suggestions
- Web Feeds (RSS)
- Live Titles
- Integrated Search
- Live Bookmarks
- Auto-updates
- Anti-Spyware
- Easy clearing of Private Data
- Built-in Download Manager
- Drag-and-Drop customization
- Magic Wand
- PNG support
Cons
- Takes a while to load (even without extensions)
- Without extensions it is just a basic browser
- New updates sometimes ruin extension compatability.
Other Comments
Although it is quite slow in opening/loading up, with each new version, performance improvements are made. Though, you can still feel some slowness...
Opera
Pros
- Standards Compliant
- A lot of useful widgets
- A lot of nice themes
- Tabbed browsing
- No Active-X
- Built-in Pop-up Blocker
- Anti-phishing
- Spell Check
- Session Restore
- Web Feeds (RSS)
- Built-in Content Blocker
- Integrated Search
- Built-in BitTorrent Client
- Anti-Spyware
- Easy clearing of Private Data
- Quick Preferences
- Site Preferences
- Improved Rich-text Editing
- Built-in Transfer Manager
- Built-in (Web)Mail Client
- Built-in IRC Client
- Drag-and-Drop customization
- Built-in Mouse Gestures
- Built-in Notes
- Password Manager (a.k.a. Magic Wand)
- Built-in Text-to-Speech (a.k.a. "Voice")
- Built-in Closed-tab Manager (a.k.a. "Trash can")
- Advanced Cookie Control
- Page Zoom
- Built-in W3C validate Uploader
- Toggle graphics and style sheets
- Small-screen mode
- Fastest opening browser, next to K-Meleon
- Built-in Info Panel
- Rewind and Fast-Forward buttons
- PNG support
Cons
- It takes a (small) while to close completely
- Must download dictionary for Spell Check, and must manually right-click > Spell Check
- Must download voice pack for Text-to-Speech
- Some sites don't build for Opera
Other Comments
Although you have to download these extra packs (Voice and Spell Check), you can do it straight from the browser, no need to look for it on their site. Also, the built-in validate uploader works when testing out pages located on your hard drive ("localhost") since it uploads the cache.
I have reason to believe that Opera came out with many features far before any other browser implemented the very same features.
Internet Explorer (MSIE/IE)
Pros
- Tabbed Browsing
- Leans more towards Web Standards than its earlier versions
- Web Feeds (RSS)
- Anti-Phishing
- Built-in Pop-up Blocker
- Built-in Active-X Blocker
- Integrated Search
- PNG support
- More secure than the earlier versions
- Add-ons
- Parental Control
- Advanced Internet Options
Cons
- Slow page rendering
- Integrated with Operating System
Other Comments
Although the MSIE website says the new look is a good thing... I don't know, it's ok, but not good enough to be on the "Pros" list. Also, although it is leaning more towards standards, it (still) doesn't match other browsers.
Safari
Pros (What i could get from their site)
- Web Feeds (RSS)
- Parental Controls
- Tabbed Browsing
- Built-in "Stealth Mode"
- Fast page rendering
- Quick Load-up time
Cons
- TBA (To Be Announced)
Other Comments
Can't really say much about this browser: not yet available for Linux. Hopefully they'll port it over to Linux. Seems like a nice browser. According to the Safari website, it has pretty much some features that most of the other browsers do. It's standards-compliant. Visit the Safari website for more information.
Netscape
Pros
- TBA
Cons
- TBA
Other comments
TBA
The World Wide Web Consortium and Standards
The way you should code your HTML and CSS should be based on the standards set by the W3C. Doing so, will not only make the browser guess better on how you want your website to be rendered, but it'll also help disabled users "view" your site better. There's a story at the W3C website that talks about a disabled user suing a company because their website was inaccessible for the disabled user. Mastering HTML and CSS will make it easier for you to build based on W3C standards. That way you won't have to validate your coding via the W3C HTML and CSS validator all the time.