CYBERSPACE – Internet users are switching to the Firefox web browser on a slower pace than they did in previous months, according to research released by San Diego-based internet tracking firm WebSideStory.As of February 18th, Firefox had increased its share of the domestic browser market to 5.7 percent, up from 3.03 percent in November. Microsoft’s dominant web browser Internet Explorer, meanwhile, has dipped below 90 percent to its current 89.9 percent. According to WebSideStory, Firefox is still expected to surpass the 10 percent domestic market share milestone by the end of 2005.

Although Firefox usage continues to grow, the pace has slowed somewhat since masses of web surfers began to migrate to Firefox in November, a migration that was fueled partially by security concerns relating to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. Some analysts have suggested that Firefox’s own security issues might have slowed its growth somewhat.

“Growth in Firefox’s usage has slowed slightly since its big surge in November. This is probably to be expected as we move beyond the early-adopter segment,” said Jeff Lunsford, CEO of WebSideStory. “Growing concern over potential security holes in the browser might be another factor to consider.”

Last week the Mozilla Foundation, makers of the Firefox browser, warned of serious security flaws in Firefox and released an updated version of the browser that addressed the concerns. The reported flaws opened the browser to URL spoofing; malicious hackers could manipulate the Firefox browser to display a URL that didn’t match the page being viewed in the browser window. Scammers have been known to take advantage of URL spoofing to trick surfers into providing them with personal information like bank account numbers or website passwords. A fix for the reported security flaws is available at GetFireFox.com.

On the international market, Firefox enjoys slightly better numbers. It holds 8.45 percent of the international browser market to Microsoft’s 87.28 percent.