Let me tell you a secret: I’m all about staying tech-ahead and not trailing behind, so I’m constantly tapping into apps, programs, hardware and more before they’re released to the public. You can do the same thing in one way, even if you’re not a Digital Goddess®.
Today, if you’re up for it, try a beta version of your browser. You’ll get new features before anyone else, and the software engineers will get some important early feedback in return. I’ll show you how.
With a beta, you may have to put up with a few bugs along the way, since it won’t be the polished, final version. I’ll tell you, though — beta editions are usually pretty stable and reliable. If you’ve ever used beta iOS software on your iPhone like I do, it’s the same deal.
Pro tip: You can even run the beta version of your browser alongside the final version and switch between them as needed. If you find something that doesn’t work in one, just go back and try it on the other version.
For Safari, the process is a little different. (Of course … we’re talking about Apple here.) You’ll need to register as an Apple developer — it’s free, and you won’t need to code any software. After that, you can download the developer version.
When it comes to beta software, especially browsers, you’ve got to be extra careful about what you’re doing online. Remember, the whole point of beta testing is to iron out the kinks, so these versions send anonymous data back to the developers about how things are working and what’s not.
That’s why you should never use a beta browser for anything confidential, like online banking or accessing sensitive documents. Even if they claim the data is anonymized, you never really know what information might be sent back as part of the testing process.
Want to know exactly what’s being shared? Take a look at the privacy policy or data collection details on the download page. It’s all there in the fine print. Bottom line: Stick to the stable releases for anything that needs to stay private.
Not sure how to clear the cache and cookies in your web browser? Use this easy, step-by-step guide. We’ll show you how to clear the cache on any browser, from Firefox to Brave.
To be clear, these tips are for your computer. If you want to clear your smartphone browser’s cache, we’ve got another article that can help. Tap or click to delete all the annoying tracking cookies from your phone.
Which internet browser should you use? Kim compares well-known and top-used browsers based on safety, privacy, ease of use and personalization. Find out why you may or may not want to use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Tor and even Internet Explorer.
Nearly half of our readers polled at Komando.com use Google Chrome. What’s your favorite browser? Which will you never use?
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RIP, Do Not Track: Mozilla axed the 13-year-old privacy option in its latest Firefox browser update. The idea was you could hit a button to tell websites not to opt you into browsing cookies you encountered online. Spoiler: It never really worked, since most advertisers just ignored it. Chrome and Microsoft Edge still include the useless option.
✍️ On the dotted line: Sign PDFs fast without extra apps. On a Mac, open the PDF and select Show Markup Toolbar (circle with a pin icon) at the top. Hit Signature (cursive icon) to sign with your trackpad or camera. For Windows, open the PDF in Microsoft Edge and click Draw (pen icon) in the toolbar to sign.
Sick of overspending on food? Here’s how to get a year of FREE Grubhub deliveries. Also, if you don’t update Microsoft Edge, hackers could take over your computer. Plus, slash your monthly costs with this insider streaming tip. I’ll tell you how to find and record your shows for free. With inflation at record highs, you need all the help you can get.
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