What a web browser does and why it matters for your device
A web browser is the program you use to visit websites — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are the main ones. Your browser is also where extensions live. Extensions are small add-ons that change how websites work or add features you don't get by default, like blocking ads or saving passwords.
The browser you choose affects how fast your device runs, how much information websites collect about you, and how straightforward it is to fix problems when something breaks. A slow or outdated browser can make your whole device feel sluggish. Too many extensions can do the same thing. This section walks you through picking a browser that fits what you actually do online, and managing extensions so they help rather than hurt.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are the four browsers most people use, and each one works differently on different devices — check which one your device came with before switching.
- Extensions can slow down your browser and collect data about your browsing, so install only the ones you actually use and remove the rest.
- Keeping your browser updated is the single most important thing you can do to stay find, because updates patch holes that hackers exploit.
- If a website stops working, the first step is always to turn off extensions one at a time and reload the page, because extensions break websites more often than the browser itself does.
- Clearing your browser cache and cookies once a month keeps your browser running faster and prevents websites from tracking you across the internet.
The four main browsers and which one to choose
Chrome is made by Google and is the most popular browser worldwide. It syncs across devices easily — if you sign in with your Google account, your bookmarks and passwords follow you to any computer or phone. Chrome updates automatically and rarely breaks. The downside is that Google collects data about your browsing to sell ads, and Chrome uses more memory than other browsers, which can slow older devices.
Firefox is made by Mozilla, a nonprofit organization. It uses less memory than Chrome, so it runs faster on older computers. Firefox has strong privacy settings built in — it blocks trackers by default and doesn't collect your browsing data. Firefox is a good choice if you care about privacy or have a device with limited memory. The downside is that fewer extensions are available for Firefox, and some websites work better in Chrome.
Safari comes built into every Apple device — Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It is the fastest browser on Apple devices because it is designed specifically for them. If you own only Apple products, Safari is usually the best choice. If you use both Apple and Windows devices, you will need to use different browsers on each one, which means your bookmarks and passwords won't sync between them.
Edge is made by Microsoft and comes built into Windows. It works similarly to Chrome and syncs with your Microsoft account. Edge is a solid choice if you use Windows and want something that works well with Microsoft services like Outlook and OneDrive. Many people stick with Edge straightforward because it came with their computer, and that is fine — it is a capable browser.
How to update your browser and why it matters
Your browser should update automatically, but you can check manually to make sure. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then look for "About Chrome" — if an update is waiting, it will show there. In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top right, then "Help," then "About Firefox." In Safari on Mac, click "Safari" at the top left, then "About Safari." In Edge, click the three horizontal dots in the top right, then "Help and feedback," then "About Microsoft Edge."
Updates patch security holes that hackers use to steal your passwords, infect your device with malware, or watch what you do online. A browser that is months out of date is a serious risk. If your browser is not updating automatically, turn on automatic updates in the settings — this is one of the few settings worth changing on a new device.
Installing extensions safely and knowing when to remove them
Extensions live in your browser's extension store — the Chrome Web Store for Chrome, Add-ons for Firefox, and so on. Before you install an extension, check how many people have installed it and read the recent reviews. An extension with 100,000 installs and mostly positive reviews is safer than one with 50 installs and no reviews. Look at what permissions the extension asks for — if a password manager asks to see everything you type, that is normal. If an ad blocker asks to see your location, that is a red flag.
Each extension you install uses memory and can slow your browser down. Many extensions also track your browsing to sell that data to advertisers. Go through your extensions once a month and remove any you have not used in the past week. To see your extensions in Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner. In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines, then "Add-ons." In Safari, click "Safari" at the top left, then "Preferences," then "Extensions." In Edge, click the three horizontal dots, then "Extensions."
The most useful extensions for most people are password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password, ad blockers like uBlock Origin, and privacy tools like Privacy Badger. Start with one or two and add more only if you have a specific problem to solve.
What to do when a website stops working
When a website loads slowly, shows a blank page, or behaves strangely, the first thing to try is turning off your extensions. Extensions break websites more often than browsers do. Click your extensions icon and toggle off each extension one at a time, reloading the page after each one. When the page works, you have found the culprit — either remove that extension or contact the extension's developer to report the problem.
If the website still does not work with all extensions off, clear your browser cache. The cache is a folder where your browser stores copies of websites you have visited so they load faster next time. Sometimes a corrupted cache file breaks a website. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac). In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. In Safari, click "Safari" at the top left, then "Clear History," then choose "all history." In Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. Select "all time" or "everything" and click clear.
If the website still does not work, try opening it in a different browser. If it works in Firefox but not Chrome, the problem is with Chrome or an extension you use only in Chrome. If it does not work in any browser, the problem is with the website itself, not your device.
Clearing your cache and cookies regularly
Your browser stores two types of files: the cache, which holds copies of images and code from websites so they load faster, and cookies, which are small files that websites use to remember you. Cookies let you stay logged into your email without typing your password every time. They also let websites track you across the internet to show you ads based on what you have looked at.
Clear your cache and cookies once a month to keep your browser running fast and to limit how much websites can track you. You can clear them manually using the steps above, or you can set your browser to clear them automatically when you close it. In Chrome, click the three vertical dots, then "Settings," then "Privacy and security," then "Clear browsing data." Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," then click "Clear data." You can also click "On exit" to clear them automatically every time you close Chrome.
Syncing bookmarks and passwords across your devices
If you use the same browser on multiple devices, you can sign in with your account to sync your bookmarks and saved passwords. In Chrome, click your profile picture in the top right corner and sign in with your Google account. In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines, then "Sign in to Firefox," and use your Firefox account. In Safari, go to System Preferences on Mac and sign in with your Apple ID. In Edge, click your profile picture and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Once you are signed in, your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history will sync to all your devices. This means you can start reading an article on your phone and pick it up on your computer without losing your place. Be aware that syncing also means if someone gains access to one of your devices, they can see your passwords on all of them. Use a strong, unique password for your browser account — not the same password you use for email or banking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use extensions from the official store?
Extensions in the official stores (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.) are reviewed before they go live, but that does not mean every extension is trustworthy. Check the number of installs and recent reviews. If an extension has been updated recently, that is a good sign — it means the developer is still maintaining it. Avoid extensions with very few installs or no recent reviews.
Why does my browser use so much memory?
Each tab you have open uses memory, and each extension uses memory too. If you have 20 tabs open and 10 extensions installed, your browser will be slow. Close tabs you are not using and remove extensions you do not need. If you regularly have many tabs open, Firefox uses less memory than Chrome.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
The cache stores images and code so websites load faster. Clearing it makes websites load slightly slower the first time you visit them, but it frees up space and fixes loading problems. Cookies remember you on websites and let them track you. Clearing cookies logs you out of websites and stops some tracking, but you will have to log back in next time.
Can I use the same password for my browser account as my email?
No. Your browser account protects all your bookmarks and passwords, so if someone cracks that password, they get access to everything. Use a strong, unique password that you do not use anywhere else. A password manager can generate and store a strong password for you.
Do I need to switch browsers if the one I have works fine?
No. If your current browser works well and you are comfortable with it, there is no reason to switch. The best browser is the one you will actually use and keep updated. Switching browsers is only worth it if you have a specific problem — like your device is too slow, or you want better privacy — that your current browser does not solve.