> Firefox

The latest version of this open-source browser features customizable themes and a “Web ID” feature designed to give you easily understandable information about any website you visit.

www.getfirefox.com

> Flock

Based on Firefox, Flock is a Web 2.0 browser in the truest sense. It features built-in integration with popular social-media services such as Twitter, photo-sharing and blogging services.

http://flock.com

> Google Chrome

Google Inc.’s browser features “sandboxing” technology designed to protect your computer from any digital nastiness that a website might try to render onto your machine. Fast, sleek and streamlined, Chrome also includes its own plug-in library, like Firefox, so you can extend its functionality.

www.google.com/chrome

> Internet Explorer

Microsoft Corp. has retained its hold on the market, and continues to try and make Internet Explorer more secure. Version 8 features a SmartScreen filter to avoid malicious websites, along with accelerators designed to speed up common tasks such as searching on Facebook or finding locations on a map.

www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx

> Lunascape

This browser from Japan is unique in that it features three underlying rendering engines, making it compatible with plug-ins for Firefox, Explorer and Chrome. It’s fast, too.

www.lunascape.tv/

> Maxthon

This browser features accelerated browsing modes to access your favourite sites more quickly, and an “anti-freeze” system to prevent the all-too-familiar system lockup that can happen when you have too many websites open at once. Other features include dragging and dropping keywords to speed up searches and the use of site aliases and mouse gestures.

www.maxthon.com

> Opera

A built-in email client and RSS reader make this browser an all-in-one solution for users who want all of their electronic communications in one package. A unique Turbo feature lets you compress websites for faster access over slow connections — especially useful when you’re doing work up at the cottage.

www.opera.com

> Safari

Designed by Apple Inc., Safari is now in version 4. It features an attractive 3D showcase of the most popular websites that you visit, enabling you to get back to them quickly and easily. Safari’s full-history search capability, which lets you sort through your browsing history using the same Cover Flow technology found in iTunes, is also a joy to use.

www.apple.com/safari/

— DANNY BRADBURY