Web Browsers, Tools & Utilities

This article provides an overview of Internet Explorer and other available web browers (and why you may want to consider using one of them instead of Internet Explorer), lists several methods and available tools to more safely surf the web to avoid viruses, spyware, and even online advertisements, provides links to Internet speed tests, and provides descriptions and links to to some of the most popular password management and automatic online form completion tools.

WEB BROWSER OVERVIEW - Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is by far the dominant web browser, pre-installed in every copy of Windows and used by the vast majority of computer users.  However, its’ dominance makes it a target for hackers and IE is contantly being updated with Security Updates to close security vulnerablities that seem to be discovered constantly by “the bad guys”.  This has caused a small but growing number of users to switch to a different browser, with the most popular alternative to IE being Firefox (free download).  Although some web sites may not display properly in FireFox there are two “work arounds” for this compatibility problem when it arises.  The first would be to simply view the web site in IE rather than in Firefox.  The second would be to take advantage of a “plug-in” for Firefox that allows you to view a website using IE (within a Firefox “tab”) without having to open IE in a separate window.  Our recommendation is that if you don’t have a problem with viruses, spyware and other malware problems then continue to use Internent Explorer.  If you do have those issues, or if you want to surf the web as safely as possible, then use Firefox.  Switching to Foxfox as your main web browser is easy, and the installation of Firefox will allow you to import your Favorites (bookmarks), “remembered” passwords and other settings from Internet Explorer.

INTERNET EXPLORER - At the time of this writing, Internet Explorer 8 has only been available for a short while.  Although it contains many security and functionality enhancements over Internet Explorer 7, some users are finding that upgrading to IE8 has adversely affected the speed and performance of their computer.  Our suggestion is to try IE8; if it slows down your computer then use the “Add/Remove Programs” tool in the Control Panel of Windows XP, or the “Programs” or “Programs and Features” tool in the Control Panel of Vista, to uninstall IE8.  Uninstalling IE8 will automatically revert your computer to IE7 without having to reinstall IE7.  As is usually the case with Microsoft products, IE8 problems should soon be addressed by Microsoft and resolve the “slow down” issue that some users have experienced.

MCAFEE’S SITE ADVISOR (Free Download) – Regardless of which web browser you use, you can surf the web more safely by installing McAfee’s SiteAdvisor add-on.  SiteAdvisor software adds safety ratings to your browser and search engine results.  With SiteAdvisor software installed, your browser will look a little different than before. It  adds small site rating icons to your search results as well as a browser button and optional search box. Together, these alert you to potentially risky sites and help you find safer alternatives.  SiteAdvisor software works with Internet Explorer (Windows only) and Firefox (Mac and Windows).  McAfee’s web site claims that they rate more than 90% of the web for safety.  If you don’t want to install the browser add-in software you can still go to the SiteAdvisor home page and enter a web site address to view their ratings for that web site.

AD MUNCHER (About $22; one time purchase) – Although Internet Explore (and most other browsers) as well as the popular Google Toolbar have a built-in “pop-up blocker” function, Ad Muncher will remove almost all of the ads from web pages, including not just “pop-up” ads but “floating” ads, animated ads, video ads and more.  It even eliminates the “commercials” that normally play before an embedded video plays within a website.  Ad Muncher works in all major web browsers and can speed up your web surfing because it blocks the “graphics intensive” ads that normally slow down the loading of a web page.  We highly recommend Ad Muncher.

INTERNET SPEED TESTS (Free) – Are you getting the speed that your Internet Service Provider promised?  Want to know just how fast (or how slow) your computer surfs the web?  If so, you need to perform an Internet speed test.  Although many can be found on the Internet, we recommend that if Time Warner/RoadRunner is your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that you use the Time Warner Cable Speed Test.  Users with AT&T/Bellsouth as their ISP should use the AT&T Speed Test (this test is available ONLY for AT&T/Bellsouth customers).  We recommend that users with other ISPs (or RoadRunner and AT&T users who want a “second opinion”) use either the SpeakEasy Speed Test, the speed tests at DSLReports.com, or the PC Pitstop Speedtest.

PASSWORD MANAGEMENT AND AUTOMATIC FORM FILLERS OVERVIEW- Although Internet Explorer will “remember” passwords and information entered into forms completed on web sites, and the popular Google Toolbar has a function to automatically fill forms and enter credit card information, the functionality of these features is limited in both programs and is not very secure (especially from other users of your PC).

KEEPASS (Free Download) – For simple yet secure password management we recommend KeePass.  Keepass is a free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, so you only have to remember one single master password. The database is encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish). For more information, see the features page.

ROBOFORM (Free for limited version; $29.95 one-time purchase for full “Pro” version) - RoboForm makes logging into Web sites and filling forms faster, easier, and more secure. RoboForm memorizes and securely stores each user name and password the first time you log into a site, then automatically supplies them when you return. RoboForm’s powerful Logins feature eliminates the manual steps of logging into any online account. With just one click RoboForm will navigate to a Web site, enter your username and password and click the submit button for you.  Completing long registration or checkout forms is also a breeze. Simply click on your RoboForm Identity and RoboForm fills-in the entire form for you, even allowing you to choice which securely “memorized” credit card to use. You no longer need to remember all your passwords. You remember one Master Password, and RoboForm remembers the rest. This allows you to use stronger passwords, making your online experience more secure.  We highly recommend Roboform as a tool that once you start to use, you won’t want to browse the Internet without.

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