This superior browser was created by the Mozilla Foundation, a not-for-profit group set up by AOL/Netscape refugees whose software benefits from the collaborative efforts of open source development. One of the best features of Firefox is tabbed browsing. You can keep open any number of Web pages and toggle from one to another by simply clicking on its "tab." This keeps your screen from being overrun by browser windows. No doubt Microsoft's Internet Explorer will soon offer this handy feature. But there's more to like about Firefox, including faster loading Web pages and virtual immunity from dreaded spyware and adware. This browser comes set with a pre-activated pop-up blocker, which allows you to selectively block specific advertisers like banner ads from AOL, Doubleclick.net and RU4.com. There are more than 240 added functionality tools that you can easily download, including FlashGot, Adblock, CookieCuller and ForecastFox. Firefox is available across nearly all operating system platforms.

BEST: If you want to find text in a Web document, just start typing it. A find bar will appear at the bottom of the page and search for your text.

WORST: Can drain your Windows computer's memory if you leave it open for too long due to a minor memory-handling bug.