Version: 2008
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Browsers

If you're looking for browsers or browser extensions, CNET Download.com has you covered. We feature all the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and more, as well as Firefox extensions, Internet Explorer add-ons, even RSS readers. If you want to surf the Web, CNET Download.com is the place to start. See all 4,414 products in this category.

for the week of: February 07Downloads
  1. 1.
    Mozilla Firefox

    Web Browsers90,675

  2. 2.
    Flash Player

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins72,128

  3. 3.
    Internet Explorer

    Web Browsers54,266

  4. 4.
    Google Chrome

    Web Browsers40,096

  5. Download and install WordPress in just minutes for Windows.
  6. 5.
    Avant Browser

    Web Browsers38,769

  7. 6.
    Opera

    Web Browsers14,401

  8. 7.
    ieSpell

    Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins11,590

  9. Convert any Windows file to a secure PDF document.
  10. 8.
    Flash Player

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins9,044

  11. 9.
    SlimBrowser

    Web Browsers8,031

  12. 10.
    Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer

    Internet Explorer Add-ons & Plugins7,674

See all most popular software

  1. Monitor PC activity by logging websites, keystrokes and chats.
Release date
  1. Ad Block Lite Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  2. Print Friendly Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  3. hashr Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  4. Confirm Close Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  5. Rainy Mood Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  6. SearchPad Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  7. QueenAlice Chrome Extension Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  8. Price Compare Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  9. iHTTP Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

  10. Bit.ly Shortener for Chrome Feb 10

    Other Browser Add-ons & Plugins

See all new releases

  1. 1.
    Mozilla Firefox

    Surf the Web, block pop-ups, and keep spyware at bay with a lean and fast open-source browser.

  2. 2.
    Internet Explorer

    Browse the Web with tabs, improved RSS support, and robust security features.

  3. 3.
    Opera

    Browse faster with Turbo, Speed Dial, mouse gestures, and spell checker.

  4. 4.
    Maxthon (Classic)

    Surf the Net with pop-up filtering, tabbed navigation, and automatic page-scrolling.

  5. 5.
    SlimBrowser

    Browse multiple Web sites in one window with a pop-up blocker, ad filter, and quick-search features.

  6. 6.
    Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer

    Update your IE browsing experience with Google gadgets, AutoFill, translation, saved settings, and synchronized bookmarks.

  7. 7.
    Yahoo Toolbar with Anti Spyware

    Search the Web from anywhere, block pop-ups or spyware, and get one-click access to your mail.

  8. 8.
    Xnews

    Try this NewsXpress-like newsreader.

  9. 9.
    Google Chrome

    Browse the Web Google-style.

  10. 10.
    Apple Safari

    Browse the Web with speed and an elegant interface.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

Log in with your face

Posted by Seth Rosenblatt on Feb 09, 2010
KeyLemon adds an extra layer of security to your computer log-in process by making your Webcam do all the heavy lifting.
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an introduction to Browsers

Browsers, often called Web browsers, are software clients that allow users to navigate to sites on the World Wide Web. The majority of these Web sites use the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), but many browsers can also interpret other protocols, including FTP, RSS, and P2P protocols such as BitTorrent. Hypertext pioneer Tim Berners-Lee created the first ever Web browser, WorldWideWeb, in 1990, but the software didn't become popular until the release of NCSA Mosaic, the first graphical client.

Browsers truly hit the mainstream with the launch of Netscape Navigator, which was later shortened to simply Netscape, though the free client's popularity was radically affected by the 1995 release of Internet Explorer, Microsoft's entry into the browser market. In the years since, IE has completely dominated the market, only recently losing ground to alternative browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera.

Aside from general Web browsers, various subsets of the category offer special services. Offline browsers cache content from the Internet for future reference when you're not connected to a network. Newsreaders manage content from Usenet newsgroups and syndicated feeds.

In recent years, the open-source browser Mozilla Firefox has earned praise for the ability of third-party developers to easily create extensions that add functionality. Among the thousands of home-brewed add-ons for Firefox, we've narrowed down our favorites in a collection of the best. The Microsoft browser also allows for IE add-ons, but its closed framework makes it a bit more difficult for developers.