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A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is application software for accessing the World Wide Web. When a user requests a web page from a particular website, the web browser retrieves the necessary content from a web server and then displays the page on the user's device.

Web browsers commonly include an address bar or search bar, the ability to open multiple web pages in different tabs, and other user interface features for navigating the web.

Although web browsers have a variety of functions, they also face a plethora of vulnerabilities that can be a critical threat to user privacy. Vulnerabilities web browsers include are system compromises and data theft [1]. With that, security plays a vital role in ensuring user safety against internet hackers. Security measures such as antivirus software and executing security policies are aimed to mitigate risks to users against hackers [1].

Web browsers are used on a range of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In 2020, an estimated 4.9 billion people used a browser. The most used browser is Google Chrome, with a 65% global market share on all devices, followed by Safari with 18%.

History (LIVE)[edit]

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1990s (LIVE)[edit]

The first web browser, called WorldWideWeb, was created in 1990 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. He then recruited Nicola Pellow to write the Line Mode Browser, which displayed web pages on dumb terminals. The Line Mode Browser was the world's second browser, released in 1991.

In 1993, Mosaic, credited as "the world's first popular browser," was released. Its innovative graphical interface made the World Wide Web system easy to use and thus more accessible to the average person. This, in turn, sparked the Internet boom of the 1990s.

In 1994, Marc Andreessen, the leader of the Mosaic team, started his own company, Netscape, which released the Mosaic-influenced Netscape Navigator. Navigator quickly became the most popular browser.

Microsoft debuted Internet Explorer in 1995, leading to a browser war with Netscape. Microsoft gained a dominant position in the browser market because it bundled Internet Explorer with its popular Windows operating system and did so as freeware with no restrictions on usage.

2000s (LIVE)[edit]

In 2002, the market share of Internet Explorer peaked at over 95%. The following year, Apple released its Safari browser. Safari remains the dominant browser on Apple devices, though it did not become popular elsewhere.

In 2004, the Mozilla Foundation released the first version of the Firefox browser. It was downloaded over 100 million times in its first year and peaked at 32% of the market share in 2010[5].

In 2008, Google debuted its Chrome browser, which steadily took market share from Internet Explorer and became the most popular browser in 2012. Chrome has remained dominant ever since.

2010s (LIVE)[edit]

In 2011, Mozilla launched the stable version of Tor Firefox for navigating the dark web.

Microsoft released its Edge browser in 2015 as part of the Windows 10 release, advertising a "more secure and more modern browsing experience" than its predecessor, Internet Explorer[6]. (Internet Explorer is still used on older versions of Windows.)

Browsers have greatly expanded their HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and multimedia capabilities since the 1990s. One reason has been to enable more sophisticated websites, such as web applications. Another factor is the significant increase of broadband connectivity, which enables people to access data-intensive web content, such as YouTube streaming, that was not possible during the era of dial-up modems.

Assigned: Amanda Zhang

Function/Process (Live)[edit]

Accessing Web Pages (Live)[edit]

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The purpose of a web browser is to fetch content from the World Wide Web and display it on a user's device.

This process begins when the user inputs a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browser into the browser. The browser splits the URL into three different components: Protocol (“https”), Server Name (“en.wikipedia.org), and the File Name (“wiki/Web_browser”).[7]

Virtually all URLs on the Web start with either the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http:) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https:). They define rules for how messages are formatted and transmitted essentially allowing the Web Browser to communicate with the World Wide Web Server.[7] HTTPS is utilized when the communication between the browser and the web server needs to be encrypted for the purposes of security and privacy.

Once the browser and web server are able to communicate, the browser needs to connect to the web server in order to retrieve the web page requested.[7] For this, it translates the server name to the Server IP Address via the Domain Name System (DNS).[8] It then sends a HTTP or HTTPS request to the server for a copy of the website over the internet connection.[8] If the request is approved by the server, the browser starts receiving the website’s files in small chunks of data called data packets.[8]

Web pages are retrieved by the web browser in the form of files encoded in languages such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and Javascript.[9] Once a web page has been retrieved, the browser's rendering engine displays it on the user's device. This includes image and video formats supported by the browser. Plugins and browser extensions can also embed different types of content into web pages.[9]

Web pages usually contain hyperlinks to other pages and resources. Each link contains a URL, and when it is clicked or tapped, the browser navigates to the new resource. Thus, the process of bringing content to the user begins again.

Most browsers use an internal cache of web page resources to improve loading times for subsequent visits to the same page. The cache can store many items, such as large images, so they do not need to be downloaded from the server again. Cached items are usually only stored for as long as the web server stipulates in its HTTP response messages.

Desktop editions of web browsers are typically equipped with web development tools that allow examining web page's document object model (DOM), view and change CSS rules applying to individual elements, add custom style sheets, monitor data transmissions using the "Network Monitor", and more.

Assigned: Huzaifa Aslam

Password Manager (LIVE)[edit]

Web Browsers have also adopted the function of managing user’s passwords in order to automate the authentication process[10]. Users are prompted by the browser to save a password when they create a new account for a website or when they enter their unsaved credentials for an existing account[10]. If the user chooses to save a password, the browser stores encrypted log-in details such as the website’s URL, the username, and the password so that users do not have to type their credentials every time they log-in to a website[11]. Some browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera add an additional layer of security by allowing users to encrypt their saved passwords with a master password.

Web browsers store log-in details either locally on the user’s computer (offline) or in the cloud (online)[11]. The latter option allows users to synchronize and access their passwords between different devices. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera allow users both options to store passwords while Apple’s Safari only allows users to store passwords online[10]. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera also notify users if their saved credentials were involved in an online data breach.

Assigned: Huzaifa Aslam

Features (LIVE)[edit]

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Most browsers automatically log browsing history or can be used in a non-logging private mode. They also allow users to set bookmarks and customize the browser with extensions. Some provide a sync service. Web browsers may also provide web accessibility features such as screen readers and magnifiers to accommodate users with disabilities[13].

Traditional browser arrangement: UI features above page content

Most browsers have these user interface (UI) features:

  • Allow the user to open multiple pages at the same time, either in different browser windows or in different tabs of the same window.
  • Back and forward buttons to go back to the previous page visited or forward to the next one.
  • A refresh or reload and a stop button to reload and cancel loading the current page. (In most browsers, the stop button is merged with the reload button.)
  • A home button to return to the user's home page.
  • An address bar to input the URL of a page and display it.
  • A search bar to input terms into a search engine. (In some browsers, the search bar is merged with the address bar.)

Mobile browsers contain similar UI features as desktop web browsers. However, the limitations of touchscreens require mobile browsers to have a simpler UI than desktop versions. The difference is significant for users accustomed to keyboard shortcuts. The most popular desktop browsers also have sophisticated web development tools.

Besides the common usage of graphical browsers, there are niche text-based and headless types of browsers.

Security[edit]

Main article: Browser security

Web browsers are popular targets for hackers, who exploit security holes to steal information, destroy files, and other malicious activities. Browser vendors regularly patch these security holes, so users are strongly encouraged to keep their browser software updated. Other protection measures are antivirus software and avoiding known-malicious websites. To ensure user safety and privacy, browsers may also need to execute a security policy to make sure that the specific web applications being accessed on the browser do not have any access to private areas of data[1].

Assigned: Amanda Zhang

Assigned: Huzaifa Aslam

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Vulnerabilities (LIVE)[edit]

Some of the main threats that web browsers seem to face are system compromises and data theft [1]. When the system is compromised, the rendering engine is the main detector of this type of threat[1]. Data theft describes the stealing of “local network or system data”[1].

Assigned: Anika Patel

Changes to Privacy (LIVE)[edit]

Due to growing concerns about privacy, large companies like Apple and Google have started to hinder data for advertisers [15]. In 2017, Apple released a new version of Safari that made it harder for advertisers to track people on websites[15]. By 2023, Google plans to block cookie trackers on its web browser -- Google Chrome.

Privacy (LIVE)[edit]

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Data (LIVE)[edit]

According to some privacy studies, major web browsers like Google Chrome and Apple Safari allow the companies that own the browser to track the locations and identity of the user[21]. Other data that might be tracked through a web browser might include:

  • Law enforcement tracking digital trails on web browsers to solve crimes[22].
  • Web Analytics uses users’ data to improve performance on a web page.
  • Advertisers use data to create targeted ads to increase user interaction [23].

Cookies (LIVE)[edit]

First-Party Cookies (LIVE)[edit]

First-party cookies are domain hosted and are used to provide a better web experience[24]. These cookies also allow owners to collect analytics data and keep language settings[24].

Third-party Cookies (LIVE)[edit]

Third-party cookies are a tool advertisers use to target ads on a web browser browser based on the customer's preferences and interests[25]. Specifically, these types of cookies are used for tracking across websites sites and are created on a different domain than the website the person is visiting[25]. Third-party cookies can also allow for services like live chats [25].

Popular Web Browsers[edit]

Google Chrome (LIVE)[edit]

As of 2021, the majority of desktop and mobile web browser global traffic is conducted on Google Chrome[26]. Google Chrome, which was originally released in 2008, is developed and maintained by Google[27].

Assigned: Amanda Zhang

Microsoft Edge (LIVE)[edit]

Microsoft Edge was created by Microsoft Corporation in 2015 and is the default web browser for machines running the Windows 10 operating system[28]. It replaces Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, which will be retired in 2022[29].

Assigned: Amanda Zhang

Mozilla Firefox (LIVE)[edit]

Mozilla Firefox is developed by the Mozilla Foundation and was released in 2002. Developers of Firefox place a particular emphasis on privacy and security[30].

Safari (LIVE)[edit]

Safari web browser was released in 2003. It is developed and maintained by Apple and has always served as the default web browser for Apple devices such as the iPhone, the iPad, and the Mac[31].

Opera (LIVE)[edit]

Opera was developed in 1995 by its namesake company Opera. It operates on the same codebase (Chromium) as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge[32].

QQ Browser (LIVE)[edit]

QQ Browser is developed and maintained by the Chinese company Tencent. It was released in 2000 and is mostly used in China[33]. It is known to have long-standing privacy issues[34][35].


References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Šilić, Marin; Krolo, Jakov; Delač, Goran (2010-05). "Security vulnerabilities in modern web browser architecture". The 33rd International Convention MIPRO: 1240–1245. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Mossberg, Walter S. (2008-09-03). "Google Redefines Web Browser". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  3. ^ "Browser History: Epic power struggles that brought us modern browsers". Mozilla. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  4. ^ "Why the future of web browsers belongs to the biggest tech firms". the Guardian. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  5. ^ Routley, Nick (2020-01-20). "Internet Browser Market Share (1996–2019)". Visual Capitalist. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  6. ^ Blog, Windows Experience (2021-05-19). "The future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge". Windows Experience Blog. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  7. ^ a b c d "How Do Web Browsers Work? | Webopedia Reference". Webopedia. 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  8. ^ a b c d "How the Web works - Learn web development | MDN". developer.mozilla.org. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  9. ^ a b Grosskurth, Alan; Godfrey, Michael. "Architecture and evolution of the modern web browser" (PDF). Elsevier Science. {{cite journal}}: line feed character in |title= at position 34 (help)
  10. ^ a b c Balaban, David (2021-02-17). "Password Manager Comparison: Top Password Managers for 2021". eWEEK. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  11. ^ a b VerfasserIn., European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security 18. 2019 Coimbra. 18th European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ECCWS 2019) Coimbra, Portugal, 4-5 July 2019. ISBN 978-1-5108-9009-1. OCLC 1178654883. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Internet Basics: Using a Web Browser". GCFGlobal.org. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  13. ^ https://plg.uwaterloo.ca/~migod/papers/2006/jss-browserRefArch.pdf
  14. ^ Biersdorfer, J. D. (2017-01-06). "Managing Your Passwords With a Web Browser". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  15. ^ a b Chen, Brian X.; Conger, Kate (2021-09-16). "What the Privacy Battle Upending the Internet Means for You". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  16. ^ Chen, Brian X. (2021-03-31). "If You Care About Privacy, It's Time to Try a New Web Browser". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  17. ^ Schwartz, John (2001-09-04). "Giving Web a Memory Cost Its Users Privacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  18. ^ Oh, Junghoon; Lee, Seungbong; Lee, Sangjin (2011-08-01). "Advanced evidence collection and analysis of web browser activity". Digital Investigation. The Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual DFRWS Conference. 8: S62–S70. doi:10.1016/j.diin.2011.05.008. ISSN 1742-2876.
  19. ^ Wakabayashi, Daisuke (2021-06-24). "Google delays a privacy change to its Chrome web browser". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  20. ^ Chen, Brian X. (2021-09-16). "The Battle for Digital Privacy Is Reshaping the Internet". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  21. ^ Holmes, Aaron. "The most popular web browsers are sending companies your history or personal data, according to a report. Here's how each browser's privacy stacks up". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  22. ^ Morrison, Sara (2021-07-31). "Here's how police can get your data — even if you aren't suspected of a crime". Vox. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  23. ^ "First-Party & Third-Party Cookies: What's the Difference? - Clearcode Blog". Clearcode | Custom AdTech and MarTech Development. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  24. ^ a b "What's the Difference Between First and Third-Party Cookies?". CookiePro. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  25. ^ a b c "First-Party & Third-Party Cookies: What's the Difference? - Clearcode Blog". Clearcode | Custom AdTech and MarTech Development. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  26. ^ Alcántara, Ann-Marie (2021-06-29). "Browser Redesigns Aim to Give Users Sleeker Experience". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  27. ^ Warren, Tom (2018-09-02). "Google's Chrome browser is now 10 years old". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  28. ^ Biersdorfer, J. D. (2017-02-20). "Changing the Windows 10 Default Browser". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  29. ^ "Farewell (again) to Microsoft's Internet Explorer". BBC News. 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  30. ^ "The Mozilla Manifesto". Mozilla. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  31. ^ Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn. "What Is Safari? Is It a Web Browser?". Lifewire. Retrieved 2021-11-05. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "All the Chromium-based browsers". ZDNet (in us). Retrieved 2021-11-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  33. ^ "Top Chinese Web Browsers in China". China Internet Watch. 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  34. ^ "QQ Browser: Here's what you need to know". Windows Report - Error-free Tech Life. 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  35. ^ "WUP! There It Is: Privacy and Security Issues in QQ Browser". The Citizen Lab. 2016-03-28. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
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