Mac users and Safari fans should be happy to hear that "the world's best browser" is now "the world's fastest web browser for Mac and Windows PCs" with the introduction of version 3.1. The update to the Apple-developed web browser is said to allow 1.9 and 1.7 times faster loading than Internet Explorer 7 and FireFox 2 respectively.

"Apple today introduced the world's fastest web browser for Mac and Windows PCs - Safari 3.1. In addition to loading web pages 1.9 times faster than Internet Explorer 7 and 1.7 times faster than FireFox 2, Safari 3.1 runs JavaScript up to six times faster than other browsers," says Apple.

Safari 3.1 also supports the latest web standards for delivering a next-gen Web 2.0 experience, according to the Cupertino folks. Some of the performance improvements include improved JavaScript performance with support for CSS 3 web fonts, CSS transforms and transitions, HTML 5 video and audio elements, offline storage for Web applications in SQL databases and SVG images in img elements and CSS images. Safari 3.1 also offers support for SVG advanced text.

Recent security news bring Safari on the spotlight, courtesy of PayPal, who has recently put up a list of recommended browsers. Unsurprisingly, Safari is not among them, for it still doesn't fully protect non-savvy users from phishing sites.

"Safari protects your personal information when you surf the web on a shared or public Mac. Go ahead - check your bank account and .Mac email at the library or shop for birthday presents on the family Mac. Safari also uses strong 128-bit encryption when accessing secure sites such as your bank or an online store, so you can transmit account and payment information with confidence," Apple describes its browser.

This of course doesn't help one bit when you willingly input your credentials for phishers to use and suck you dry. According to PayPal, a safe browser has the following characteristics: latest version, automatic software patches and upgrades, anti-phishing functionality to notify you when you try to access a suspected fake website and 128-bit encryption that protects data during transmission.

While Safari does fit the "safe" profile regarding some features (128-bit encryption, for example), it doesn't exactly offer the highest level of security either (for noobs, that is), but hey, that's exactly why it is currently the fastest out there.

Click HERE to download Safari 3.1 (39MB). If you're already using an older version of Safari, just hit the Apple button and click on Software Update. Follow the instructions from there and you'll have v3.1 in no time.