When you purchased your computer or installed a new operating system, more than likely it came bundled with a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Apple Safari. While this browser seems to offer all the features you need when surfing the Internet, other alternatives exist such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera, options that can potentially increase your security and provide new ways of accessing information online.

Many people, however, stick with the installed web browser not because they don’t know about other browsers but for the reason that they think problems will occur when using different applications. This article by Graham Shear lists seven of those reasons:

1. My computer only can run one web browser

In maybe not so loud of a voice, but in a nutshell, this statement says that your computer is only capable of running one web browser. There is no way your computer can run two, and if you are using Windows, you may well be running Windows 7 under the Windows 7 SP1 pre-installed web browser.

2. It is too hard to learn another web browser

Virtually every web browser has a back and forward button, address bar, and search bar. You may have to take a few minutes to learn other features, such as bookmarks / Favorites, navigating the History, and even longer if you want to configure your browsing experience, but learning how to use a new browser should not take long at all. Some browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, even come with a help feature for Internet Explorer users.

3. I’ll lose all my bookmarks / Favorites

Most web browsers support importing bookmarks or Favorites from others quite easily. And while new bookmarks or Favorites in one web browser may not transfer immediately to another, you may wish to look at online bookmark management services such as Furl and Google Bookmarks. This way you can access your bookmarks with any browser, even one on a different machine!

4. Most sites won’t display correctly

While some websites such as Windows/Microsoft Update and online banking sites may not work correctly on non-Internet Explorer browsers, a greater number of websites are being written with technologies that work well across all browsers. This is happening as an increased number of Internet users try different browsers.

5. Internet Explorer is safest

Most of us who use the Internet are conscious of the fact that scams and malicious software can penetrate through the Internet portal without any hassle. A browser that is free of viruses, stands no more chance of being infected than one using Internet Explorer. It is because Internet Explorer is designed to prevent unauthorized access to your computer, which is why it is far safer for your computer to use a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. In addition, many of today’s PC security softwares are including features that makes using a browser different from the one you are currently using impossible.

6. I’ll lose all my web browser history

Demean the privacy of your web browser, the information used to access to it and the time it is taken to do so. Though you may be thinking that it is safer not to do, this may more often than not lead to more risks. It is no secret that hackers and people with ill intentions are already making use of your Internet Protocol address to pry into your personal information.

7. Spyware, viruses and other malware will replicate themselves

Phishing, pharming and vishing are all online scams where online criminals send you an email and warn you to click on a link or visit a certain website to be able to fix your computer issues. What they do is take advantage of your Internet Protocol address that is unique to your computer system at that moment. If they can get hold of your IP address, they can follow your online activities and eventually get to your inbox with more expertise than you.

“Since viruses and other malware are now also taken into consideration, make sure that your Internet Protocol address is no longer the same as your antivirus software. You can change it by manually setting your IP but make sure you are not on a wrong page that can be a recipe for disaster.” Graham Shear summarises.