Understanding Your Internet Browser: Privacy, Downloads, Bookmarks, Safety and Internet Troubleshooting
Most of us use the Internet every day, but surprisingly few people really understand what happens between the time they click an icon on their computer and the time a website appears on the screen.
You open Chrome, Edge or Firefox, type something into a box, click a link and there it is.
Until it isn't.
Maybe the website looks strange. Maybe a page won't load. Maybe you downloaded a file and have absolutely no idea where it went. Maybe someone told you to clear your cache. Or perhaps you opened an Incognito window because you thought nobody could see what you were doing.
Let's clear up some of the mystery.
First: The Internet, Your Browser and a Search Engine Are Not the Same Thing
This is probably the most important place to start.
The Internet is the enormous worldwide network connecting computers, servers, phones and other devices.
A web browser is a program you use to view websites on that network.
Popular browsers include:
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Apple Safari
Brave
Opera
A search engine is a website or online service that helps you find information on the Internet.
Examples include:
Google
Bing
DuckDuckGo
Yahoo
So Chrome is not Google Search.
Chrome is a browser made by Google. You can actually use Bing as your search engine inside Chrome.
Likewise, Edge is Microsoft's browser, but you can use Google Search inside Edge.
Think of the browser as your vehicle and the search engine as one of the places you can visit with it.
What Does a Browser Actually Do?
When you visit a website, your browser receives instructions and information from a web server.
Among other things, that may include:
HTML — the basic structure and content of the page.
CSS — instructions controlling things such as fonts, colors, spacing and positioning.
JavaScript — programming that allows the website to do more advanced things such as opening menus, processing forms, displaying interactive content or updating information without reloading the entire page.
Your browser takes all of this information and turns it into the webpage you see.
That process is called rendering.
Browsers use something called a rendering engine to do it. Chrome uses the Blink engine, Firefox uses Gecko, and Safari uses WebKit. Microsoft Edge is now based on Chromium and also uses Blink.
Why Can the Same Website Look Different in Different Browsers?
Web standards have improved tremendously, so most modern websites should look fairly similar in Chrome, Firefox and Edge.
But "fairly similar" does not always mean identical.
Different browsers may interpret certain website instructions a little differently. There can also be differences in:
Fonts
Spacing
Graphics
Video playback
Forms
JavaScript behavior
Security settings
Privacy settings
Browser extensions
Zoom level
Your operating system can make a difference too.
This explains something I've encountered many times while troubleshooting computers:
If a website isn't working properly, try another browser.
If the site works perfectly in Firefox but not Chrome, for example, you have already learned something important. Your Internet connection probably isn't the problem.
The problem may be related to Chrome itself, an extension, cached information, cookies or a browser setting.
Chrome, Edge or Firefox: Which One Should You Use?
There isn't one browser that is perfect for everyone.
Google Chrome
Chrome is extremely popular and generally has excellent website compatibility. It integrates well with Google services and can synchronize bookmarks, passwords and settings across devices when you sign in.
Microsoft Edge
Edge comes with Windows and is based on the same Chromium technology used by Chrome, so websites frequently behave similarly in the two browsers.
If you use Windows heavily or rely on Microsoft services, Edge may be convenient.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is developed by Mozilla and uses a different rendering engine from Chrome and Edge.
That's actually one reason I like having Firefox available even if it isn't your primary browser. If something isn't working properly in a Chromium-based browser, Firefox gives you a genuinely different browser engine to test.
Safari
Safari is Apple's browser and is tightly integrated with Macs, iPhones and iPads.
Brave and Opera
There are many alternatives as well. Brave and Opera, for example, are Chromium-based browsers that add their own features and privacy tools.
My advice for the average computer user is simple:
Have at least two browsers installed.
You don't necessarily need to use both every day. The second browser can be a valuable troubleshooting tool.
What Is Incognito or Private Browsing?
Chrome calls it Incognito Mode.
Edge calls it InPrivate Browsing.
Firefox calls it Private Browsing.
Despite the names, there is a lot of misunderstanding about what these modes actually do.
Private browsing is mainly designed to prevent certain information about that browsing session from remaining on your computer after you finish.
For example, private browsing generally avoids retaining your normal browsing history and removes temporary cookies and other session information after the private session closes. Firefox specifically warns that Private Browsing does not make you anonymous to websites, your Internet provider or your employer.
That's important.
Incognito Does NOT Make You Invisible on the Internet
Incognito is not an invisibility cloak.
Your Internet provider may still be able to see Internet activity.
A workplace or school network may still be able to monitor traffic.
Websites can still receive information about your connection.
If you sign into Facebook, Amazon, Google or another account while browsing privately, that company obviously knows you are signed into the account.
Private browsing is primarily about limiting what remains locally on the computer.
And there's another thing people often misunderstand:
Files you download in Incognito or InPrivate mode do not magically disappear when you close the browser.
Chrome and Edge both state that downloaded files remain on the computer, and bookmarks or favorites you intentionally create can remain as well.
So if you download a 300-page PDF while using Incognito, closing the Incognito window doesn't delete that PDF.
Where Did My Download Go?
This may be one of the most common questions computer users ask.
You click:
Download
The file downloads.
And then you think:
Okay...where did it go?
On a Windows computer, downloaded files normally go into your Downloads folder unless you or the browser have changed that location.
Open File Explorer and look for:
Downloads
You can also usually see recent downloads directly from your browser by clicking its Downloads button or opening its Downloads menu.
Firefox, for example, includes a Show in Folder option that takes you directly to the location containing a downloaded file.
A Better Way to Manage Downloads
You don't have to accept the browser's default location.
You can tell the browser where you want downloaded files stored.
Chrome allows you to change its default download folder from its Downloads settings.
Edge does the same under:
Settings → Downloads → Location → Change
Firefox also lets you choose where downloaded files are saved through its Downloads settings.
Another useful option is:
Ask me where to save each file before downloading.
I actually like this option for people who constantly lose downloaded files.
Instead of dumping everything into one enormous Downloads folder, the browser asks where you want each file.
You might save:
Taxes into Documents\Taxes
Family photographs into Pictures
Software installers into Downloads\Software
Work documents into Documents\Work
The important thing isn't which system you use.
The important thing is that you know where your files are going.
Be Careful What You Download
Downloads also introduce one of the biggest Internet security risks.
A website does not necessarily have to look suspicious to be dangerous.
A legitimate website can sometimes become compromised. Malicious advertisements can also appear on websites, and attackers frequently create fake websites that look almost identical to legitimate ones.
CISA recommends keeping browsers updated and warns about risks from malicious websites, insecure browser configurations and unsafe browsing habits.
At a very basic level, follow a few rules.
Download software from the original company whenever possible.
If you need Firefox, get Firefox from Mozilla.
If you need software from Microsoft, start with Microsoft.
Avoid clicking random "DOWNLOAD NOW!" buttons scattered around third-party websites.
Sometimes the biggest download button on the page isn't even the download you were looking for.
It's an advertisement.
Be suspicious of unexpected downloads.
If you visit a website to read an article and your computer suddenly wants to download a program, stop.
Ask yourself:
Why would reading this webpage require me to install something?
Be especially careful with executable files.
Files ending in extensions such as:
.exe
.msi
.bat
.cmd
.scr
can cause Windows to perform actions or install software.
That doesn't automatically make those files bad. Windows programs legitimately use .exe and .msi files all the time.
But you should know why you downloaded one before you run it.
Keep Windows and your browser updated.
Modern browsers contain a tremendous amount of security technology. Updates aren't just about adding new features. They frequently correct security vulnerabilities.
Pay attention to browser warnings.
If Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Windows Security tells you something may be dangerous, don't automatically click through the warning because you really want the file.
Stop and figure out why you're seeing the warning.
HTTPS Is Important — But It Does Not Mean a Website Is Honest
You may have heard that you should look for HTTPS or the security indicator in the browser.
That's good advice, but it is frequently misunderstood.
HTTPS means the connection between your browser and the website is encrypted.
That's important.
But a scam website can use HTTPS too.
A padlock or HTTPS connection does not mean:
"This company is trustworthy."
It basically means:
"The connection between me and this website is encrypted."
You still need to pay attention to the actual website address.
For example, attackers often register addresses that are intentionally similar to legitimate companies.
Before entering a password, credit card number or other important information, look carefully at the website address.
Learn to Use Bookmarks
Here's another common situation.
You find a fantastic website.
Two weeks later you want to return to it.
You type a few words into Google.
Nothing.
You search your browser history.
Nothing.
You remember that the website had a blue logo and something about computers.
Good luck with that.
This is exactly what bookmarks are for.
Edge calls them Favorites, but the basic concept is the same.
When you find a website you know you'll want again, bookmark it.
Chrome allows you to create folders and organize bookmarks through its Bookmark Manager.
Instead of keeping 300 unrelated bookmarks in one giant list, create folders such as:
Banking
Shopping
News
Medical
Government
Travel
Computer Help
Recipes
Work
Personal
You can even create folders inside folders.
A few minutes spent organizing bookmarks can save hours of searching later.
What Is a Browser Cache?
Sooner or later someone troubleshooting your computer will tell you:
"Clear your cache."
But what exactly are you clearing?
When you visit a website, your browser may temporarily save parts of the website on your computer.
That might include:
Images
Graphics
Scripts
Stylesheets
Other webpage components
This collection of temporarily stored information is called the browser cache.
Why save it?
Speed.
If you return to the same website, your browser may be able to reuse some information it already downloaded instead of downloading everything again.
Mozilla describes Firefox's cache as temporary storage for images, scripts and other website components used to make browsing faster.
So Why Would I Ever Clear It?
Occasionally the browser has an old or corrupted copy of part of a website.
The website may have changed, but your browser is still trying to use older information.
The result can be:
Strange formatting
Missing pictures
Buttons that don't work
Login problems
Pages that don't update correctly
Other seemingly inexplicable problems
Clearing the cache forces the browser to retrieve fresh information.
That's why clearing the cache is such a common troubleshooting step.
Clearing the Cache Is Different in Different Browsers
Browser menus change periodically, but you will generally find these controls under Settings, Privacy, History or Browsing Data.
Chrome
Look for:
Delete browsing data
Chrome lets you select categories such as cached images and files, cookies and browsing history.
Microsoft Edge
Go to:
Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data → Choose what to clear
Firefox
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security
and look for the browsing data/cache controls.
Firefox currently describes cached information as Temporary cached files and pages.
One important warning:
Read the boxes before clicking Clear.
You might want to clear your cache without deleting saved passwords.
Don't blindly select every option unless you understand what it does.
What Are Cookies?
No, we're not talking about chocolate chips.
A browser cookie is a small piece of information that a website stores through your browser.
Cookies can be extremely useful.
They can help a website remember:
That you signed in
Your language
Items in your shopping cart
Website preferences
Certain session information
Cookies are one reason you don't necessarily have to configure the same website every time you visit it.
But cookies can also be used for tracking and advertising purposes, particularly when information is shared or used across websites.
Modern browsers provide increasingly sophisticated controls for cookies and third-party tracking. Chrome, Firefox and Edge all provide privacy settings allowing users to manage stored site data.
What Happens If I Delete Cookies?
One immediate effect is that websites may forget who you are.
That means you may have to sign back into websites.
A shopping cart might disappear.
Your website preferences may reset.
Deleting cookies can sometimes solve website problems, but don't be surprised when websites suddenly ask you to log in again.
Browser History, Cache and Cookies Are Different Things
These three terms often get thrown together, so here's the simple version:
History tells the browser which pages you visited.
Cache stores temporary copies of website components to make pages load faster.
Cookies store small pieces of information associated with websites, including login/session and preference information.
Your browser may also store:
Saved passwords
Autofill information
Addresses
Payment information
Download history
Website permissions
Location permissions
Camera permissions
Microphone permissions
Most browsers give you some control over all of these.
Spend a few minutes looking through your browser's Privacy and Security settings.
You may be surprised at how much is there.
Clearing Your Browser Does Not Necessarily Delete Information Stored Online
This deserves its own section because it is a very important distinction.
Suppose you use Google Search while signed into your Google account.
Then you clear Chrome's browser history.
Those are not necessarily the same databases.
You have deleted information stored by your browser on your computer.
There may still be activity associated with your online Google account.
Google's own Chrome documentation distinguishes browser data from other Google activity saved to a Google Account.
The same general idea applies to other online services.
That brings us to another subject that deserves an article of its own.
Check back later for another ExtraHelp.us article where I'll explain how to find, review and delete information associated with your online accounts and search activity, including information maintained by Google and other services.
That's a much bigger subject than simply clicking "Clear History."
When a Website Doesn't Work
Before assuming that "the Internet is down," determine exactly what isn't working.
Ask yourself:
Is it one website or every website?
If only one website doesn't work, try:
Refreshing the page.
Opening the website in a Private or Incognito window.
Clearing the browser cache.
Trying another browser.
Trying the website on another device.
If every other website works, there's a pretty good chance your entire Internet connection isn't the problem.
The website itself may be having trouble.
If nothing works, start looking at the Internet connection.
A Strong Wi-Fi Signal Does NOT Mean You Have a Strong Internet Connection
This may be one of the biggest misunderstandings about Wi-Fi.
You look at your computer.
Four or five bars.
Excellent Wi-Fi signal.
Yet Netflix is buffering and websites barely open.
How is that possible?
Because Wi-Fi and Internet are not the same thing.
Wi-Fi is primarily the wireless connection between your device and your router or access point.
Your Internet connection is what connects that router to the outside Internet.
Imagine that your house has a beautiful six-lane driveway connecting your garage to the street.
That driveway represents your Wi-Fi.
But once you reach the street, traffic is completely stopped.
That represents your Internet provider.
Having a perfect driveway doesn't help you get anywhere if the highway is jammed.
You can have an excellent Wi-Fi connection to your router while your actual Internet connection is:
Down
Congested
Overloaded
Experiencing high latency
Being throttled
Suffering from a weak cellular connection
Experiencing an ISP outage
This is especially important with cellular-based home Internet.
Your computer might show a perfect Wi-Fi connection to the 4G or 5G router sitting ten feet away.
But the router itself may have a poor connection to the cellular tower.
Those are two entirely separate wireless connections.
A Simple Internet Troubleshooting Method
Here's a basic approach almost anyone can use.
Step 1: Try More Than One Website
If Google works but one particular website doesn't, your Internet probably isn't completely down.
Step 2: Try Another Device
Try your phone, another computer or a tablet using the same Wi-Fi connection.
If one computer doesn't work but everything else does, focus on that computer.
If nothing in the house works, start looking at the router, modem or Internet provider.
Step 3: Check Wi-Fi
Make sure you're actually connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
Don't judge the Internet connection solely by the number of Wi-Fi bars.
Step 4: Run a Speed Test
A speed test can help you measure:
Download speed — how quickly information comes to you.
Upload speed — how quickly information leaves your connection.
Latency or ping — roughly speaking, how long it takes information to make a trip across the network and receive a response.
Speed isn't everything.
A connection can have impressive download speed and still perform badly during interactive applications if latency, packet loss or congestion is poor.
Step 5: Restart the Equipment
Restart the modem, router or cellular Internet device.
Also restart the computer if necessary.
It's basic troubleshooting, but it fixes an amazing number of problems.
Step 6: Try Ethernet If Possible
If a computer works perfectly using an Ethernet cable but poorly over Wi-Fi, that points toward a Wi-Fi problem rather than an ISP problem.
Step 7: Check With Your Internet Provider
If multiple devices are having the same problem and rebooting your equipment doesn't help, the problem may be outside your home.
Not All Internet Connections Are the Same
There are many ways to connect to the Internet.
The FCC, for example, distinguishes technologies including fiber, satellite, fixed wireless and mobile broadband technologies such as 4G and 5G.
Each technology has advantages and disadvantages.
4G-LTE
4G-LTE has become a very practical Internet option in places where wired broadband isn't available.
Advantages
Widely available
Mobile
Relatively inexpensive equipment
Can provide very usable broadband speeds
Easy to install compared with running new cable or fiber
Disadvantages
Performance depends heavily on signal quality
Tower congestion can dramatically reduce speed
Speeds may change throughout the day
Upload speeds may be relatively low
Some plans have data limits or throttling
Buildings, terrain and distance from the tower can affect performance
This is why a 4G connection might deliver excellent speeds at 3:00 in the morning and struggle at 8:00 in the evening.
The tower didn't necessarily move.
There may simply be a lot more people using it.
5G Internet
5G is the newer generation of cellular technology.
Under the right conditions, 5G can provide extremely impressive performance.
Advantages
Potentially much higher speeds than 4G
Lower latency under good conditions
Useful alternative where cable or fiber isn't available
Can support many connected devices
Disadvantages
Coverage varies considerably
Different 5G frequency bands behave differently
Buildings and other obstructions can matter
Performance can drop significantly with congestion
A "5G" symbol alone doesn't tell you how fast your connection actually is
Again, don't judge the Internet connection by the icon.
Test the actual connection.
Satellite Internet
Satellite Internet can provide service where running cable or fiber would be extremely difficult.
The FCC now distinguishes between geostationary satellite systems and non-geostationary systems such as Low Earth Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit satellite services.
That distinction matters.
Traditional geostationary satellite Internet can have relatively high latency because the signal has to travel an enormous distance.
Newer Low Earth Orbit satellite systems can significantly reduce that latency because their satellites are much closer to Earth.
Advantages
Available in very remote areas
Doesn't require fiber or cable infrastructure to reach the property
Modern satellite systems can provide impressive speeds
Excellent option where other broadband service is unavailable
Disadvantages
Requires appropriate equipment and generally a suitable view of the sky
Obstructions can cause problems
Weather may affect some services
Equipment and service can be relatively expensive
Latency and performance depend heavily on the satellite technology being used
Satellite has become a much more competitive Internet option than it once was, but it still isn't identical to having fiber running directly into your house.
Fiber Internet
Fiber uses light traveling through fiber-optic cable to carry information.
For many homes and businesses, it is currently one of the best Internet connection technologies available.
Advantages
Very high speeds
Excellent reliability
Low latency
High network capacity
Often excellent upload speeds
Less vulnerable to many of the interference problems associated with wireless connections
Disadvantages
Not available everywhere
Running fiber to rural or isolated properties can be expensive
Installation may require new physical infrastructure
If good fiber service is available at a reasonable price, it is difficult for most other technologies to beat it for overall consistency.
But availability is often the deciding factor.
The best Internet technology in the world doesn't help much if nobody has installed it on your street.
The "Best" Internet Connection Depends on Where You Live
Someone living in a major city may have several fiber providers available.
Someone living in the country may have:
4G
5G
Fixed wireless
Satellite
An older DSL connection
That doesn't necessarily mean the rural user can't get good Internet.
It simply means the technologies and tradeoffs are different.
And remember:
Your advertised Internet speed and the speed you actually experience are not always the same thing.
Network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, distance, hardware, the website you're visiting and many other factors can affect what you actually see.
Don't Be Afraid of Your Browser Settings
One of the goals of ExtraHelp.us is to make computers a little less mysterious.
Your browser is one of the most important programs on your computer.
Open the settings sometime and look around.
Find:
Privacy settings
Download settings
Cookies
Browsing history
Cache
Password settings
Autofill
Website permissions
Pop-up controls
Bookmarks
Extensions
You don't need to become an expert.
You simply need to understand what these things do well enough that when someone says:
"Clear your cache."
or
"Check your Downloads folder."
or
"Try opening it in another browser."
you know what they're talking about.
And perhaps most important of all, remember this:
A strong Wi-Fi signal only tells you that you have a good connection to the Wi-Fi network. It does not guarantee that the Wi-Fi network has a good connection to the Internet.
Understanding that one distinction can save you an enormous amount of frustration.
Coming Next: What Does Google Actually Remember About You?
Clearing your browser history is only one part of managing your online information.
Search engines, online accounts and other Internet services may maintain information separately from the browser on your computer.
In an upcoming ExtraHelp.us article, I'll show you how to find some of that stored information, review it and delete information you no longer want associated with your accounts.
That's a topic worth exploring all by itself.
Understanding that one distinction can save you an enormous amount of frustration.
Terms Explained: All these terms are too confusing!
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