Did you know that you have a choice in the way your surf the Web? All Windows computers come with Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) Web browsing software pre-installed, so that is the program that most people use for surfing the internet. There are, however, several other free Web browsers available. The one I use on a regular bases is also used by many other technology experts. It is a free program named Firefox.

This program is used by many experts because it is more secure than Internet Explorer, but it is just as easy to use. In fact, Firefox looks and functions much like Internet Explorer. So if you are used to using IE you can make the switch easily.

The main reason you may want to switch to the Firefox Web browser is security. Internet Explorer 6 is filled with security holes that can allow hackers and unscrupulous websites to install viruses and nasty spyware on your computer. Security experts agree that Firefox is more secure. It has built-in protection against phishing schemes. It protects you from much spyware by not allowing a Web site to download, install, or run programs on your computer without your permission.  Firefox also has many useful features that IE 6 is lacking.

If you want to make the switch to Firefox here are a few things you need to know.

1.      You don't have to uninstall Internet Explorer to use another browser. You simply download and install the new browser and start using it.

2.      Most website will look and function the same in Firefox.

3.      You can use both Internet Explorer and Firefox at the same time.

4.      Firefox is a free download. Just surf over to the Firefox website to download and install.

5.      After installing Firefox you simply click on the orange Firefox icon to start the program.

6.      When you first start using Firefox, it will ask if you want to make it your default browser. If you click yes, every time you click a link, Firefox will popup automatically instead of IE.

7.      If for some reason you don't like it, Firefox is easy to uninstall.

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, you will notice many improvements in Firefox in addition to the security improvements:

1.      Tabbed Browsing -This allows you to open several webpages in a single window at the same time and to easily switch between those webpages. (Internet Explorer 7 also has this feature.)

2.      Clear Private Data - One question that I am asked often is how to delete your browsing and search history. In Firefox it is very easy. Click on Tools, and then use the Clear Private Data tool to remove all traces of your surfing.

3.      Spell Check - Firefox has a built-in spell checker to keep you from making mistakes in forms or Web-based email.

4.      Session Restore - If Firefox has to restart, it will start with the same tabs open just where you left off. You can also set this feature to be used every time you close the program. Just click on Tools - Options. Then choose "Show my windows and tabs from last time".

5.      Open Recently Closed Tabs - I don't know how many times I've closed a window only to find that I want to reopen it a few moments later. Firefox keeps a list of recently opened tabs. Just click on History, and then choose Recently Closed Tabs. You can choose from the last nine tabs that were open or you can open all of them with one click.

6.      Download Manager - This is the reason that even the new Internet Explorer 7 couldn't lure me away from Foxfire. In Firefox when you start a download a small window pops up showing you the status of the download. You can delete downloaded files and open the files you downloaded right from that Window. You can also see where files are downloaded so you don't have to go searching for them.

7.      Automated Update - Firefox will notify you when an update is available and makes it easy to keep the software up-to-date and secure.

8.      Personalization Options - Firefox has more personalization options than any other browser. Just click on Tools and choose Add-Ons. At the windows that pops up you can choose to change the look of the browser by using different themes. You can also choose to install extensions which give you even more customization options. There is something for everyone. The Firefox website lists over one thousand such add-on which are all very easy to install. Firefox even keeps them organized for you and lets you know when an update is available for one of your add-ons.

9.      Constantly Improving - Firefox is an open source movement which means it will remain free and is constantly being updated by an active community of experts. While Microsoft took years to improve Internet Explorer to tabbed browsing and improved security, Firefox has been very innovative, introducing features like tabbed browsing years before Microsoft included it in IE 7.

Firefox also has a pop-up blocker. It supports screen readers for the blind and it lets you easily subscribe to RSS feeds. Although Internet Explorer 7 has some of these features, I find that Firefox is still better in several ways.  Why not give it a try and see for yourself.