Why It's Essential To Update Your Web Browser

This is the second part of the series, Why It’s Essential To Update Your Web Browser. (see part 1 here)

Browser Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of browsers that are the most widely used today:

Google Chrome

As of July 2014, a traffic website analysis tool (StatCounter) estimated that 45% of web browser users around the world are using Google Chrome, indicating that it is the most widely used browser in the world. It is used across almost all operating systems, including mobile devices.

Firefox

Firefox has quickly become one of the most widely used browsers since its initial launch in 2002. In those earlier years, Firefox was the main competitor to Internet Explorer. Today it is also accepted on most operating systems, though its mobile version is limited to certain operating systems.

Internet Explorer

If you use a Windows computer, chances are you have used Internet Explorer, the default browser of Windows computers. 18 years after its initial launch , Internet Explorer remains one of those most widely used browsers. Unlike Chrome and Firefox, Internet Explorer is limited to primarily Windows operating systems.

Safari

If you use a Mac or any other Apple product (iPad or iPhone), you are probably familiar with Safari, the default browser of Apple products. Today, Safari has been discontinued for Windows and is only available for Apple OS X and iOS.

To regularly stay up-to-date, click here to be taken to a fantastic resource for the latest browsers.

Automatic Updates

If the reasons for updating your browser weren’t enough, here’s another one: The four browsers suggested above currently update automatically. This means they either update in the background or it will prompt you to update by notification within the browser.

Add-Ons

As a side note, one of the things I personally love to do when using a browser is checking out the add-ons because it provides a little more functionality and personality out of your browser. Whether you use the Internet for work, shopping or just for fun, add-ons make it easier to do some of the tasks that you do a lot.

For instance, as a web developer, I use add-ons that help me change the size of the browser, measure the browser, find colours/fonts within the browser and the list goes on. Each browser has different add-ons, so if you’re indifferent or not sure which browser to install, checking out the add-ons features will help you decide.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to update your browser and I hope I’ve given you at least one to update yours. I understand that updating looks like a lot of work, the installing and then learning how to use it, but I reassure you that it will be worth it. If you update today, you will be protected from the latest viruses. This is crucial considering all the time, effort, and money that we put into protecting our computers, your browsers should do the same. Also as long as you’re up-to-date you shouldn’t get error messages that prevent you from viewing certain content. Take the time to update or install a new browser today so that you don’t miss out on what companies and web developers have in store for you.

This guest post was provided by Chris Li of Advisor Websites. Chris is a Product Manager at Advisor Websites. Having studied Web Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) at Simon Fraser University, his focus in these articles is to share tips on how to stay on top of the look and feel of your website.

Originally published here. Reprinted with permission.

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