Are you ready to play with the new Firefox?

Mozilla recently released the latest version of their flagship product, Firefox 3.0. Internet users are turning to Firefox 3.0 for a more productive and safer and online experience. Branded by Mozilla's site as their "best Firefox yet," the new browser has 15,000 improvements with all the perks of the original still there. You may not have heard about it yet, but Mozilla attempted to break a world record on number of downloads with what they called "Download Day." The jury is still out as to whether or not they broke any records, but not surprisingly, more than 8 million users downloaded Firefox 3.0 on its launch date. With such a following, this is a browser worth looking into.

Safety First

Mozilla has raised the bar for security. Firefox protects you and your computer with Malware and Spy Site Protection as well as including support for the new Extended Validation SSL certificate. Firefox 3.0 also includes an updated list that tracks all sites reported as Malware sites. The browser then blocks suspicious sites before they can even load up on your screen. When you arrive at sites reported for installing viruses, spyware, or other types of malware, a full sized message displays to warn you. This red alert window includes a "Why was this site blocked?" button if you want more information and a conveniently located "Get me out of here!" button.

You can click on the site icon for a quick identity overview to make sure you know who you're dealing with. This overview pops up right away and tells you whether or not the site provides identity information which uses an SSL certificate to protect your personal data from third-party viewers.

Mozilla also protects Windows users from downloading harmful files to your computer. When you download a file, the antivirus program automatically checks it for viruses and other malware.

Family Friendly

You can also keep your kids from downloading files that aren't Mom-and-Pop approved. This is done by enforcing parental control settings you've entered on Windows Vista with this new version of the browser.

It's All Yours

Firefox 3.0 helps you create a more personal experience. The new Firefox lets you use the search engine of your preference. You choose the built-in search to use almost any search engine you can imagine, including Google, Yahoo, Amazon.com, Answers.com, EBay, Wikipedia and Creative Commons. To modify the default search engine, click the icon to the left of your search bar to view the menu of default options.

In addition to the features already offered with the standard Firefox version, there are over 5,000 add-ons to choose from. To tweak your enhancements, go to the Tools menu and select Add-ons. In the Add-ons Manager, your inner-geek will delight to find and apply programs like Shareaholic (a program that allows you to share, bookmark, and email Web pages easily).

Pull a Fast One

Firefox 3.0 also lets you explore the internet faster and more efficiently. The Find As You Type feature can speed up your surfing time. Instead of using the "find" bar to search for a word on a page, click anywhere on the page and begin typing the word you want. Then the cursor jumps immediately to the first use of that word.

Firefox 3.0 can make it easy to add bookmarks. Using what they call smart keywords lets you surf in the fast lane. With just two clicks, you can tag your bookmarks and then sort them by topic. To "play tag," double-click the lower star icon and enter your new tags. You will then effortlessly find the sites you tagged by entering the tag into the location bar. This brings up a list of all the sites that you previously bookmarked under that tag category. In addition to creating your own custom search terms, you can also just download the terms that others created from your favorite sites.

Mozilla has raised the bar on their award winning internet browser. The new version of Firefox is safer, faster, and more customizable than any other browser around. Have a look at the new Firefox 3.0- it will make your Internet time even more productive!

Remember, surf safely, it's a jungle out there!