Using a Web Browser
A web browser is the tool you use to access the internet. To make the most of everything the internet has to offer, it's important to understand the basics of how to use a web browser effectively.
What is a Web Browser?
A web browser is a software program that allows you to view and interact with websites. Think of it as the window through which you see the internet.
There are many different web browsers available, including:
- Google Chrome
- Safari (on Apple devices)
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge (the modern replacement for Internet Explorer)
All of these browsers allow you to do the same things—view websites, watch videos, and search for information—but they each have a slightly different look and feel. Picking one is mostly a matter of personal preference.
Key Parts of a Browser Window
The Address Bar
This is the most important part of the browser window.
What it is: The address bar is the long text box at the top of the browser window.
What it does: This is where you type the web address (also called a URL) of the website you want to visit. For example, you would type www.google.com to go to the Google search engine.
Auto-completion: If you've been to a website before, your browser may suggest it as you start typing. You can then click on the suggestion to go directly there.
Navigation Buttons
These buttons help you move between web pages you've already visited.
- Back Button: Clicking this button takes you to the previous page you were on.
- Forward Button: If you've clicked the back button, you can click the forward button to return to the page you were just viewing.
Tabs
Tabs allow you to have multiple websites open at the same time in a single browser window. This is one of the most useful features of a modern browser.
Opening a Link in a New Tab: If you see a link you want to click but you don't want to leave the page you're currently on, you can open it in a new tab. To do this, right-click on the link and select "Open in new tab." The new page will load in the background, and you can click on its tab to view it when you're ready.
Creating a New Tab: You can also open a blank new tab by clicking the "+" icon (or a small blank tab) next to your open tabs. You can then type an address into the new tab's address bar.
Closing a Tab: To close a tab, simply click the "x" on the tab itself.
Saving and Revisiting Websites
Bookmarks
If you find a website that you know you'll want to visit again, you can bookmark it. A bookmark is like a saved shortcut.
How to Bookmark: Most browsers have a star or bookmark icon right next to the address bar. Click this icon to save the current page as a bookmark.
How to Access Bookmarks: You can usually find your saved bookmarks in a menu, often accessed by a button in the top-right corner of the browser.
History
Your browser keeps a record of every website you visit. This is called your history.
How to Access History: You can find your history in your browser's menu. This allows you to see a list of all the sites you've visited recently and click on one to go back to it.
How it Helps You: Your browser uses your history (and your bookmarks) to provide suggestions in the address bar as you type. This makes it very fast to return to sites you've visited before.
The locations of buttons and other options may vary slightly depending on which browser you're using, but the core functions are the same. Once you understand how to use the address bar, navigation buttons, tabs, and bookmarks, you'll have all the skills you need to browse the internet confidently and efficiently.