What is a Web browser?
A Web browser, also known as an Internet browser or browser, is a program that you use to view web pages on the Internet from your computer or mobile device. Basically, it is what you use to browse the Internet. When you purchase a device such as a laptop or smartphone, typically there is Web browser software built into the device.
Most Internet browsers are available for free download. Here are some of the most popular browsers that are available:
How Web browser's work
- You type a website's URL into your browser's address bar. For example "https://support.shaw.ca/"
- The browser locates and requests that page's information from a web server
- The browser interprets the requested webpage and displays the page for you to read and interact with.
Learn more about the basics of Internet browsers.
Browser security tips
Here are five Internet browsing tips to help keep your browsing experience safe and secure:
- Use a secure browser - Safe Web surfing starts with your browser. Most browsers offer protection against malware and things like phishing. Examples of secure browsers include Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and those listed above.
- Security Settings. - Customize your security settings to make your browser more secure. It should be noted that turning off features can reduce available options of attack against your system, but they can also reduce convenience on your surfing experience.
- Password Security. Many sites request a password, however, trying to remember all those different user names and passwords can be difficult, especially after you turn off the “remember passwords and fill forms” options of your browser. As a solution to this problem, consider using a password manager tool. A password manager allows you to create a unique and secure password for every website, without having to commit those credentials to memory. You only need to remember one password: the master password for accessing the password manager.
- Secure site verification - Know how to look for secure websites. To determine if a site is trustworthy, look for a padlock on your browser’s address bar and the word https at the beginning of the URL (address of the web page). Example: "https://www.shaw.ca/store".
- Keep your browser up to date - Most browsers will automatically update. You can go into the ‘about’ section in your browser to verify that it is fully updated. For additional details, please see: How to update your Web browser.