With all the browsers out there and the bad hype about Internet Explorer, it is really confusing to try and pick a browser that is both safe and functional. In the past we have tested
most of the browsers out there and found Maxthon to be both the fastest and the most secure of them all. Recently, we tested them again with all the new updates applied to see if our test criteria will still stand.
The first one we tried was Firefox. Firefox is now using version 24 as the latest version available. The browser has certainly got its act together as far as speed is concerned. It is much faster then past versions and most websites loaded with no issues in our tests. There still is a problem with the add-ons keeping up with the version you are using. Often times after an update, certain add-ons will no longer be compatible with the software.
A search will sometimes find a new version of your add-on but not always. In addition, if you accidentally download a mischievous tool bar, it will attach itself to Firefox and often times it will require the removal by a professional computer technician. This is the same problem that exists in both Internet Explorer and Chrome. The user interface of Firefox is quite straightforward to use. Customizing your settings is quite easy as you navigate through the settings options.
Another huge issue with Firefox is the download manager. Most programs will have an available Run option to hit so you can initiate the software download after it is completed. Firefox only offers a Save option and the confusing interface makes it difficult for many people to figure out. As a technician, we see quite frequently that people have a hard time running our remote software with Firefox. Often times the download manager either disappears or does not offer clear instructions on how to execute the file.
Google Chrome is another popular browser that is widely used but not as popular as Firefox. Our tests with Chrome were much less then satisfying. The browser seems slow and sluggish compared to Firefox and the user interface for the options is very confusing. The download manager is more user friendly then Firefox since it is more similar to that of Internet Explorer. Lately, we have been seeing a lot of infections that have come through Chrome and then attached it to the browser. This behavior has been more frequent as of late. Chrome will also allow third party toolbars to attach to the browser as can also be done through Internet Explorer and Firefox. Often times programs like Conduit can take over your browser and create havoc with your searches. Third party programs like this can also create a very slow browser. For us, Chrome was the least of our favorites of all that were tested.
For the grand finale I am going to talk about Maxthon Cloud, the cream of the crop. This is the browser that won us over as being the most unique, secure and hands down the fastest. The user interface is easy to figure out as compared to many of the other browsers we tested. The browser features such elements as a built in screen shot maker similar to Snag-It, is has a feature called Mouse Gestures which allows you to navigate between web pages by just using your mouse and it allows you to create an account and sync all your favorites and other information with all your devices that have Maxthon installed. Not only is it the best PC browser, it is also the best browser to use on Android and IOS.
Maxthon is the only browser tested that will not allow you to install toolbars, period. Many of the nuisance tool bars that try to install themselves in Internet Explorer and others will not install on Maxthon. Since the last time we reviewed this browser, there have been tons of improvement in the core web kit that allows it be faster and use fewer resources on your computer. I totally love the favorite manager and it even has a high tech Windows 8 style start up screen you can use for the sites you access the most.
When we are doing virus removals and tune-ups for our customers, we find the least amount of damage and infections coming through Maxthon. Often times browsers like Internet Explorer or Firefox become so corrupted that even a re-install does not completely fix the problem. We rarely see this happen with Maxthon. Since it is not as widely advertised, many folks have never heard of this gem but I assure you, it is better then the rest.
You will notice that I really did not touch on Internet Explorer. There is a good reason for this omission. We simply do not recommend it. We probably see the most infections from computers using Internet Explorer as their main browser. For this reason, we did not even mention it in our testing. I have not used IE in over 8 years. Every once in a while I test it just to be sure it still works.
There you have it, our rundown of our recent browser tests. In short, I would recommend either Firefox or Maxthon but again, Maxthon shines over all the rest.
Article by Joe Z
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