AOL Explorer

Slick interface

With reports of security holes and bugs, Internet Explorer's domination of the browser market is by no means certain.

Opera, Maxthon and Firefox are giving users a viable and often superior alternative, and it's no surprise that AOL has joined the fight for the public's browsing affections.

First impressions are that AOL Explorer looks and feels like a slicker version of Internet Explorer. The graphics are smooth and tabbed browsing is very welcome, even if Firefox did it first.

Searching is speedy and is enhanced by AOL's own thumbnail navigation, letting you preview a page simply by hovering your mouse over a listing. The inclusion of an RSS feed detector in the address is also a clever addition.

AOL claims this to be the safest browser around and the security features are certainly impressive. Built-in controls help protect against annoying pop-ups, while Spyware Quick Scan lets you constantly check whether anyone is interfering with your online experience.

Note: This initial download is for an AOL installer - you'll need to run this to download the full browser.

• Spyware and adware explained