Web Browsers

Any number of web browsers are available for Linux, each with its unique pros and cons, including quite a few you will most likely have never heard of if you have been around Linux for some time. Formerly, major browsers not available on Linux were Apple-only Safari and Microsoft-only Edge or Explorer, but Microsoft Edge is now available for Linux, leaving Safari as the only major web browser you can't yet use on Linux.

Resisting the urge to over-install which leads to bloat, two or three of the following browsers have been installed for you. Find them under the "Internet" menu:

• Firefox
  Firefox is an open source browser. As a community creation, it comes with a multitude of plugins that can enhance its function. The plugin "uBlock Origin" to block obnoxious or sometimes malicious ads, and the privacy focused Startpage search plugin are the only extensions pre-installed on your version of Firefox. You are free to uninstall or disable them. uBlock Origin can be set to allow ads on specific web pages you trust. Firefox has a very long on the Internet, predating Microsoft's Internet Explorer in its original incarnation called Netscape. Firefox should be installed.
• Chromium
  Chromium is Google's open source version of Chrome, the browser that has by far the widest user base. If you are fond of Google Chrome but want an open source version for privacy concerns, Chromium could be a choice. Interestingly, Chromium is used as the foundation of other leading browsers, including Opera, Vivaldi, the privacy-focused Brave and even Microsoft Edge. If it's not already installed you can install it by copying and pasting "sudo pacman -S chromium" without the quotes into the terminal. As always when installing software, you will be asked to enter your password. Remember that in the terminal you will see no signs of your password being entered, not even little dots, but don't worry, you'll know if you get your password wrong. Before the final installation you'll be prompted once more, to enter "y" for "yes" or the equivalent if using a language other than English.
• Opera
  Opera is a Chromium-based browser with its own touches and a dedicated community of users that appreciate them. As a Norway-based company, Opera is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Europe’s digital data protection and privacy legislation. Opera includes by default its own VPN service and ad blocker. If you are in need of VPN for web browsing, Opera is ready to go. VPN should already be enabled in Opera on your computer, but best check to be sure in the settings section. If it's not already installed you can install it by copying and pasting "sudo pacman -S opera" without the quotes into the terminal.
• Vivaldi, is a freeware, cross-platform web browser. Developed by Vivaldi Technologies, founded by Tatsuki Tomita and Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, who was the co-founder and CEO of Opera Software. It focuses on ad blocking and privacy by default. Vivaldi offers a very customizable interface, optimizing visual appeal. If it's not already installed you can install it by copying and pasting "sudo pacman -S vivaldi vivaldi-ffmpeg-codecs vivaldi-widevine" without the quotes into the terminal.
• Brave presents itself as a privacy focused browser and by default blocks ads and website trackers. Brave also provides a way for users to send cryptocurrency contributions. If it's not already installed you can install it by copying and pasting "sudo pacman -S brave-bin" without the quotes into the terminal.

You may enjoying trying different browsers before finding one that is right for you. Also, you may end up using different browsers for different purposes, for example, one browser for the news and another for music.