Web browser
Web browser
A web browser (or just browser) is a software program used to access and view content on the World Wide Web. It acts as a client, requesting information from a web server.
Browsers connect to web servers using HTTP (or HTTPS for secure sites), request content via a URL, and download it. Then, the browser's rendering engine interprets HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other code to display the web page for the user.
History
The idea of a web browser started with the World Wide Web itself. Tim Berners-Lee at CERN developed the first browser, WorldWideWeb, in 1990. It was a basic text-based application.
In 1993, Mosaic became the first popular graphical web browser. Its user-friendliness and ability to show images inline greatly boosted the World Wide Web's adoption and influenced many later browser designs.
After Mosaic, Netscape Navigator emerged as the dominant browser in 1994. However, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, released in 1995 and integrated with Windows, started the 'Browser wars.' Internet Explorer eventually won, gaining a near-monopoly by the early 2000s.
Issues with Internet Explorer's standards compliance and security led to new browsers. The Mozilla Foundation released Firefox in 2002, an open-source browser promoting web standards.
Google Chrome, launched in 2008, focused on speed, simplicity, and stability. It quickly became the most used browser globally, driving new competition. Mobile browsers like Safari Mobile and Chrome for smartphones also grew with the rise of smartphones.
Today, the browser market is diverse, with several major players and numerous smaller or specialized browsers available.
Security Features
Browsers are critical for computer security as they are the main way to access internet content, which can be malicious. Modern browsers include various security features:
Sandboxing: Isolates web content in a separate environment to limit damage from malicious sites. Same-origin policy: Prevents websites from interacting with content from other sites without permission, crucial against attacks like XSS. TLS/HTTPS Indication: Browsers show if a site uses secure HTTPS/TLS (e.g., padlock icon) and warn about certificate issues. Automatic Updates: Regularly apply updates, often patching security flaws, making it vital to keep browsers current. Privacy Controls: Features to manage cookies, site data, pop-ups, and block trackers, enhancing user privacy. Phishing and Malware Warnings: Warn users about known malicious or phishing sites. While browsers offer strong security, no browser is foolproof. User awareness, keeping software updated, and using strong, unique passwords are still essential for online safety.
Notable Web Browsers
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Opera
- Brave Browser
- Vivaldi
- Tor Browser
- Pale Moon
- Lynx (text-based)
