If you use a PC to surf the internet, you probably do so with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, the web browser that’s favoured by more than 90 per cent of computer users worldwide.

Unfortunately, the program’s very popularity makes it a prime target for attacks over the internet: through fake sites, spam e-mails, worms and viruses, attackers regularly batter PCs, trying to steal bank account and credit card numbers. No sooner has Microsoft patched one security flaw than another appears.

There is one obvious solution to the problem, however — use an alternative web browser. New browsers offer greater speed and increased productivity. For example, most feature a dedicated Google search field. Instead of taking time to visit Google’s site to search, just type your query into the field.

Another innovation is tabbed browsing. New websites don’t open as new pages, but rather under tabs, lined up across the top of the screen — just click on one to access that page. This may be a minor innovation, but it speeds up browsing greatly.

For Internet Explorer alternatives, you needn’t stray far. Two browsers build on it, adding improved security and features. The first, Deepnet Explorer, is free, and also integrates file sharing — though I found this slow — and RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds, which many sites now offer. Instead of browsing a site, with RSS you can read headlines and summaries for multiple sites and decide which are of interest. For news junkies, it’s addictive.

The second Internet Explorer-like browser is NetCaptor, which is free with advertising on screen or $30 without. Its CaptorGroups allows you to bookmark different groups of tabs.

Things really get fun, however, with totally different alternatives. The most popular is Firefox, which is free. To date, more than five million copies of its latest 1.0 “preview” version have been downloaded, and its backer, the open source group Mozilla, issues frequent updates.

Overall, Firefox distinguishes itself from every other browser with its uncluttered interface and clear controls. After five minutes, you’ll know every feature. One, “find it as you type”, is a real time saver. Just start typing a word or phrase, and the browser locates the first match automatically, then lets you jump easily to succeeding matches.

Another alternative is Opera, which many people already use: it’s the built-in browser on many mobile phones. On PCs, Opera (which is free with on-screen advertising, or ¤34 without) is fast, and includes e-mail, RSS, an excellent note-taking utility and chat.

In addition to versions of Firefox and Opera, Mac users have another choice: Apple’s Safari web browser. Released last year, it matches the Mac OS X operating system down to its plush brushed-aluminium appearance. Safari’s bookmark design mirrors that of iTunes, while another nice feature is the “snapback” button, which takes you back to where you started after you’ve clicked on a multitude of links to different pages. While Safari chokes occasionally on some sites, it is improving, and next year’s promised Safari 2, with built-in RSS, should be another leap forward.

With all these superior alternatives around, the only real question is: Why are so many of us sticking with Explorer in the first place?

Explore Games & Puzzles

• Crossword

• Linkudo

• Sudoku

• Killer Sudoku

• Chess

• Bridge

• Crickler