Types of Web Browsers and How They Work

Types of Web Browsers and How They Work

When you want to surf the internet, the first thing you use is definitely web browserBut did you know that there are many types of browsers to choose from to suit your needs?

Every year, different browsers emerge with their own unique strengths, from speed and battery efficiency to accessing blocked sites. Let's learn about the different types of web browsers so you can choose the one that's best for you!

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Types of Web Browsers

Before you start surfing the internet, you'll need a web browser. There are many browsers available today, each with its own unique characteristics.

Google Chrome
Chrome is still the most popular browser because of its synchronization with Google account and comprehensive extension support. However, the downside is that it's quite heavy and uses up a lot of RAM.
Mozilla Firefox
Perfect for those concerned about privacy. Firefox is known for its lightweight and low resource consumption. It's suitable for mid-range laptops.
Microsoft Edge
The latest Chromium-based version is much faster than the default browser. Windows Edge is also battery-efficient, making it perfect for those who frequently work on a laptop.
Safari
Specifically designed for Apple users. This browser is highly optimized for the iOS and macOS ecosystems, offering fast performance and robust system integration.
Opera & Opera GX
Opera is usually known for its features VPNs Opera GX is designed for gamers with RAM and CPU usage limits.
Brave Browser
This browser focuses on privacy protection. It doesn't display built-in ads and has a tracker blocking feature.
Tor Browser
Tor is used to browse the network deep web and anonymous access. It's not suitable for daily use due to its slow speeds, but it excels in privacy.
UC Browser
It is widely used on smartphones because it is light and fast, but you need to be careful because its data privacy has been questioned.

How Web Browsers Work

How to view saved passwords via PC — Google Chrome. Source: Pinterest

Here are the complete steps of how a web browser works from the beginning until the page appears on your screen.

You enter a URL or keyword

The process starts when you type a site address (for example https://www.google.com) or search keywords into the address bar.

If you type a URL directly, your browser will access that site's server. If you type a keyword, your browser will forward it to a search engine like Google or Bing.

Browser performs DNS Lookup

Every website actually has an IP address (eg. 142.250.190.78), but humans find it easier to remember URLs like google.com. The web browser will ask the DNS (Domain Name System) to translate the URL into the destination server's IP address.

Sending a request to the server (HTTP/HTTPS Request)

Once it knows the destination IP address, the browser sends a request via the protocol:

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) for regular connections
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) for secure connections (using SSL/TLS encryption)

This request contains information such as:

Browser used (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
Language
Operating system
Cookies (if any)
Requested page or data

The server responds and sends data.

The website server will process the request and then send the following files:

HTML → page structure
CSS → appearance and visual style
JavaScript → create interactive pages
Other media → images, videos, fonts, etc.

All this data is sent to the browser for further processing.

Rendering: The browser translates the code into a visual display.

When the data has been received, the browser performs the rendering process, namely:

Reading and analyzing HTML structure
Loading CSS files for styling
Running JavaScript
Arrange visual elements according to layout rules
Displays the page to the user's screen

This whole process is done very quickly, in just a matter of seconds or even milliseconds.

Browser stores data in cache

To speed up access to the same website, browsers store some files (HTML, images, CSS, JavaScript) in a local cache. This way, when you revisit the website, the browser doesn't have to load everything from the server.

Security and privacy

Browsers also work to keep you safe by:

Gives a warning if the site is not secure (plain HTTP)
Block dangerous or malware-containing sites
Control access to camera, microphone, location, etc.
Filter ads and trackers (if using safe mode or privacy browser)

Advanced interaction (event handling)

When you click a button, scroll, type, or fill out a form, the browser communicates with JavaScript to perform certain actions, such as opening a new page, submitting data, or displaying a notification.

Is There an Anti-Blocking Browser?

This question comes up quite often, especially for those who want to access sites that are affected by positive internet or restricted by their provider. The answer is yes, but it must be used wisely.

Here are some browsers that have this feature anti-blocking:

Opera (with built-in VPN)
You can activate VPN directly from the settings menu without installing additional applications.
Tor Browser
It can be used to access blocked sites, but is not recommended for login or transaction activities.
Brave + external VPN
Brave doesn't have a built-in VPN, but you can install a VPN extension or proxy.

But remember, anti-blocking doesn't mean unlimited freedom. You must still use the internet responsibly and avoid accessing illegal sites.

Choosing a web browser depends on your needs. If you want fast performance, Google Chrome and Edge are good options. If you need privacy, Firefox or Brave are better suited. If you want hassle-free access to blocked sites, Opera could be the answer.

Also read:

Now you know the different types of web browsers, how they work, and whether there are any. anti-blocking browserSo, just adjust it to your device and online activities. Don't forget to update your browser regularly to keep it secure and optimized!