Time to Dump Internet Explorer?
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The latest security breaches in the world's dominant Web browser, Internet Explorer, are the final straws for a growing number of techies. CERT, the government-funded security watchdog group at Carnegie Mellon University, says Internet Explorer is unsafe, and is recommending the use of an alternative Web browser. Commentators at Business Week, eWeek, the Houston Chronicle, and Security Focus.com are also recommending that you stop using Internet Explorer.
Last week, computer users were hit by a malicious attack that could record their keystrokes, steal account information and passwords, and send them back to a computer in Russia. The attack was stopped by shutting down the Russian site, but experts say more attacks are likely. Just yesterday, Internet Explorer users were hit with another security breach.
Browsers that stand to benefit from Microsoft's troubles include Opera, Mozilla, and Firefox.
I have avoided using Internet Explorer as much as possible for some time. Besides Mozilla is better.
Fred
Posted by
Fred H. Olson |
June 30, 2004 8:27 AM
I am a long-time user of IE, but this past week I decided enough is enough until Microsoft invests adequate resources in securing their browser. "Firefox" is an easily adopted, free alternative to IE and is my new default browser.
Posted by
Erik |
June 30, 2004 8:30 AM
I've been using Firefox as my default browser at work for several months now. Internet Explorer is not worth the security hassles. At home I use a Mac so it's less of an issue, but I still mostly use the older Mozilla browser. In addition to the security benefits (pop-up blocker, JavaScript control, etc.), Firefox has a ton of other useful, cool features (tabbed browsing, intuitive password management, etc.). The feature that has become most useful for my lunchtime workplace surfing is the ability to easily and permanently block banner ads that may be inappropriate for the work place (i.e., annoying dating site ads and the ubiquitous j.list ads).
I have only encountered a few sites that won't load correctly with Firefox, none that I regularly visit. My online banking page (TCF) runs fine.
Posted by
John |
June 30, 2004 11:31 AM
I have been using Firefox since it was born out of Phoenix. It is simply the fastest browser out there. Tabbed browsing is genius and the RSS feed reader is second to none. People transferring from IE to Firefox for security reasons probably won't transfer back.
Posted by
Lucas |
June 30, 2004 11:54 AM
I fled MS Windows for Linux (Redhat 9 & Fedora Core 2) last Autumn due mainly to security reasons and have been running either Mozilla or Firefox (0.8 & 0.9) ever since. I agree with what has been posted. Firefox is the candy-apple-red sports car of the browser world! It's the fastest and most advanced browser available at the moment. Mozilla itself isn't too shabby, but more like the swiss army knife of browsers. It does everything, but perhaps a bit bulky.
Posted by
Ross |
June 30, 2004 6:24 PM
I think Firefox has a ways to go usablity wise to equal IE given a objective comparision. If one likes tabbed stuff the Avant browser gives a better experiance.
Posted by
John |
July 1, 2004 12:09 AM
Another vote for Firefox. I've used it on WinXP since v.0.8 (now 0.9) and it is the best--fast, stable, compliant, flexible (some of the available "extensions" are terrific), secure and much more feature rich than IE (password manager and adblocks are built in). I almost never run into a web site that requires IE, but when I do I use the extension that lets me open it in IE with a right click. I cannot recommend it more highly.
Posted by
Jim |
July 1, 2004 12:27 AM
After hearing your story I decided to try a different browser. I downloaded Mozilla to my laptop and it works great. I don't know about other banks but Wells Fargo access is no problem on this browser.
Posted by
Steve |
July 1, 2004 4:51 AM
After hearing your story I decided to try a different browser. I downloaded Mozilla to my laptop and it works great. I don't know about other banks but Wells Fargo access is no problem on this browser.
Posted by
Steve |
July 1, 2004 4:52 AM
================================================
"TIME TO DUMP INTERNET EXPLORER?"
Thursday, July 1st. 2004 @ 8:34am E.T.
Hi JON (Gordon) & "Future Tense" Readers:::
Please do NOT forget about "Netscape 7.1"
as an alternative browser choice.
I've used FireFox, Mozilla, Opera, and a few
other more obscure browsers (run a Google.com
check for "alternative browsers" and you will
get a proverbial "surfeit of choices!" TT.) ---
All of them were FINE --- and all had their
own "pro's and con's" as you might expect.
RECENTLY, though, I downloaded and began to
use "Netscape 7.1" --- and I am "110% STOKED"
with it. This browser has a "What's New?"
(yellow tab//top center of its home page)
TAB function --- just click on the W/N?" tab
and a drop-down panel will result.
Therein, are 6 or 7 (ever-changing// updated) "topical articles" --- EACH with accompanying "blue hypertext links" to
still more related articles --- I often copy
individual "story panels" and share them with
my many friends::: "110% FABULOUS," IMHO, folks.
I know that earlier "4.x" versions of "Netscape"
were "bug-filled 'crapola,'" BUT I'd eagerly
advise each of you to CONSIDER "Netscape 7.1"
It is slick, "clean," fast, and bug-free as far
as I can tell. A very nice "evolved" product
by "Netscape" and its (hisssss!) "AOL" owners.
"CHEERS AND CIAO FOR NOW,"
Tom Testa, London, Ontario, Canada.
taume911@yahoo.com
(Cheerful, non-hostile feedback is welcome)
P.S. Happy Canada Day to all of my
fellow "Canucks" out there. TT. :-)))
=================================================
Posted by
Tom Testa |
July 1, 2004 7:49 AM
Aw Come on guys,
I am shocked you haven't heard yet that all of us having the same OS and applications is good for the consumer. Microsoft isn't a monopoly and everything they produce is solid gold.
This is why I use a Mac! Safari is a great browser.
Seriously though, I have a number of friends using Firefox that are very happy with it and it handles Java pretty well.
The only issue I have with Mozilla is that it is a pig! You just don't need that much stuff in a browser.
Posted by
Andy Loats |
July 1, 2004 10:11 AM
Been using Pheonix, Firebird, now Firefox for at least a year.
The only problems I find with it are idjits that code directly to IE, instead of sticking with standards. Avanti plug-in + IE does not equal Firefox. Anyone who wants to can keep the spyware-friendly, trojan-lovin' IE around that wants to.
Posted by
Brian |
July 1, 2004 2:45 PM
I have always had a 'tude about Microscrap Sowhere ever possible, I use other software. I use Correl Word Perfect, Intuit Quicken, and have been using Netscape for several years now.
If I could get an OS to run these and a few other select other programs I run, I would tell Bill Gates and Microcrap what they can do with their buggy unsecure software! I live for the day I have a Microcrap free PC.
Minton
Posted by
Minton Miller |
July 1, 2004 6:02 PM
I got this article forwarded by a friend 'cause I've been dissing IE for a long time. Now if we can get people to dump Outlook Express, we will be making progress. Have been using Netscape 7.1 for a long time. It has tabbed browsing,BTW, and blocks popups. 4.x has serious security breaches, so change if that's what you're still using. Tried Opera several times. It kept crashing. Loved the look and it was fast when it worked but inevitably it crashed and began crashing more and more. *Their* online forum talks about this. Nope, upgrading did NOT solve the problem.
Posted by
Jim Roberts |
July 1, 2004 7:30 PM
Time for everyone to download Netscape? huh?
Posted by
hannah |
July 2, 2004 11:02 PM
Every browser has bugs that can be exploited, but because of IE's dominance, more people spend their time trying to exploit it.
If computer uses decided to switch to an alternative browser and it becomes a computer standard, that browser too will become exploited.
Posted by
Meghan |
July 4, 2004 9:06 AM
