Microsoft Corporation's Internet Explorer, the most popular Web browser since 1998, has lost more than 10  percent of its market share since December 2007, while Mozilla's rival Firefox browser gained 27.3 percent during 2008, according to December 2008 figures from Web traffic analysis company Net Applications. Joining Firefox in benefiting from Internet Explorer's declining market share were Apple with its Safari browser and new entrant in the browser playing field Google with its Chrome browser. Firefox Gained Nearly 30 Percent During 2008 Internet Explorer, the most used Web browser for more than a decade since surpassing Netscape in 1998, ended 2008 holding a 68.15 percent share of the market, down 10.4 percent from its December 2007 position and 26.35 percent from its 2003 peak saturation point of 94.5 percent, according to Aliso Viejo, California-based Net Applications. In March 2008 Netscape owner AOL announced that it had ceased all official support for what had been the most used Web browser. In the six years since reaching usage heights previously seen only by Netscape during the early years of the Web, Microsoft's Internet Explorer has seen a steady decline as the browser of choice, which some industry analysts have attributed to the security vulnerabilities that have plagued it as the biggest target for hackers, a situation that benefited rival Firefox as it gained ground initially as the top choice for steering clear of what were at one time Microsoft-only security woes. Microsoft Saw Steady Browser Market Share Decline Over 2008 Firefox's 27.3 percent gain during 2008 came by Mozilla garnering an additional 4.5 percent of the browser  market over the year, and ended the year with users of its browser accounting for a 21.34 percent share, according to the Net Applications figures from its Hitslink property, which were based on analysis of some 160 million visitors to Web sites using the company's traffic monitoring service. Microsoft last saw a browser market share above the 70 percent threshold during October 2007, when it held 71.27 percent of the market, followed one month later by a lower 69.77 percent reading according to Net Applications, which was founded in 1999. At the beginning of 2008 Internet Explorer was used by about three out of every four Web surfers, however by November Firefox had surpassed a 20 percent market share and continued to appear headed toward the point where it will be the browser of choice for one in every four Web users. Microsoft Internet Explorer Web Browser Used By 10 Percent Fewer During 2008 Firefox's browser market share rose from 19.97 percent in October to 20.78 in November before ending the year at 21.34 percent. Mountain View, California-based search leader Google's new Web browser Chrome has seen a steady market share increase since the September 2008 launch of a test version and its early December 2008 launch, rising from 0.74 percent in October to 0.83 percent in November. Chrome ended 2008 with its first market share above one percent, at 1.04 percent, according to the Net Applications figures, a rise some industry analysts have attributed to Google placing a link to download its browser product prominently on its search engine, the world's most used Web page. Apple Inc.'s Safari Web browser saw increased growth during 2008, including a continuous rise in global market share from October's 6.57 percent to November's 7.13 percent and ending the year at 7.93 percent, which placed it 41.9 percent higher than one year earlier. Related Links :
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