What is a browser?
A browser is a piece of software on your computer that allows you to access the
internet.
Why should I upgrade?
When you're online looking at websites, your browser is the piece of software that
lets you do this. It is also the piece of software that keeps you safe. If your
browser is out of date, you may be less secure, and vulnerable to malware.
Upgrading to a modern browser means you will:
- be safer
- have a faster browsing experience
- see more features on many of the most popular websites
In addition, many modern browsers will let you know if a site you're using is insecure
or otherwise unsafe.
How do I upgrade my browser?
Upgrading is simple: you will need to download a newer browser and install it on
your computer.
Here is a list of browsers that will keep themselves up to date, each with a website
that will explain what its features are and how to install it. You may currently
be using an older, out-of-date version of one of the browsers listed. You should
pick one that works for your computer's operating system (i.e. Microsoft Windows
or Mac) and that has the features you like best. If you're not sure, pick any one
and try it out for a while - you can always change to a different browser later,
and they're all free.
For any computer (Windows, Mac):
Also available for Mac:
If you're on an older version of Windows (such as XP or Vista), you should upgrade
to Chrome, Firefox or Opera, as new versions of Internet Explorer are no longer
available for your system.
I'm on a shared or public computer - how do I upgrade?
If you are on a shared computer at home, speak to whoever is responsible for it
about upgrading to a better browser. If that's you, let everyone who uses the computer
know that you've installed a new piece of software for them to use.
If you're on a public machine, including one at a school or library, speak to a
member of staff to request that they upgrade their software.