IE6: Too Risky to Use?

[mike]

As evidenced in an article on the eCommerceTimes today, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer continues to come under fire for security problems. Despite repeated patches and updates, IE6 continues to be a major source of concern for security experts. Security firm Secunia has apparently recommended that users abandon IE6 altogether – regardless of their version status.

I looked at a few different sets of statistics about browsers today. IE is still dominating the browser market landscape – nothing else is really even close. The Firefox browser is approaching double digits in terms of usage % (depending on where you look) but IE maintains at least 80-85% of the market regardless of who’s numbers you use.

Will these repeated security warnings finally start to contribute to the uptake of alternative browsers? Will people change browsers based on warnings or will they have to be bitten personally before they begin to look for another browser? Or, will people stick with IE regardless of the risks or consequences simply because it’s what they know?

[Biddlebugs]

Don't you mean Firefox. Thunderbird is mozilla's e-mail client.

BDB

[mike]

Of course I meant Firefox. That was just an... um... test. Yeah, that's right, a test to make sure everyone was paying attention.

[Biddlebugs]

lol

A Test, That's exactly what I thought you were doing. ;)

Regarding browsers....I've been using Firefox for some time now. I love how it handles CSS and XHTML. IE requires so many "hacks" or separate style sheets for a site to view as intended. Not sure this affects the casual user too much, but for designers, it a no-brainer to start using something other than IE. (alas you still have to design with IE users in mind.)

BDB

[kentjchen]

from the security perspective, IE is a piece of junk.

from the business perspective, IE still dominates becase so many applications are based on IE standards not W3, and none of the provider would ignore this dominated number and force their user to use the others.

from the human's perspective, most of people would ignore as they are used to it and would refuse to change it. and more, most of them have no idea what the real concers are for using the IE.

To me, I am still IE fan and like to stick with it at this time because the firefox is quit disappointed me about lacking some flexibilities.

[DrTandem1]

Most people have IE because it comes with the OS that is most popular in new computers that are sold, which is Windows.

Other browsers probably have as many security flaws, they are just not as popular. Therefore, hackers have fewer potential victims and get more bang for their buck with Microsoft products.

[Kellare]

I think IE's a piece of junk from every perspective but since it's sitting on the desktop and many people don't have a clue how to find and install firefox I think it's going to stay #1.

If firefox came pre-installed, especially with some of the great extensions available I don't think too many people would even look at ie once they'd used firefox for a few days.

As it stands I don't think security in ie is a major concern to average users, they just trust that microsoft will solve any problems and everything will be ok, while the majority of people that know better will have already changed or at least make sure that they use ie a little smarter than normal.

[tcampione]

Originally Posted by Mike

Will people change browsers based on warnings or will they have to be bitten personally before they begin to look for another browser

My view: bitten... and more than once. Most of those without an IT staff behind them use AOL. It's safe and secure, right??? ughhh.

Those who have an IT staff supporting them could care less. Computer breaks? Oh well.

That leaves only the few in between (like me). I happen to use both IE and Firefox. Most of my business related time on the web is spent with IE. But when I kick back and finally take some personal time, it's Firefox babby.

[jsabia]

Hello... I am new to all this IE and FireFox stuff.
I am in Real Estate and most of the programs I use work with IE, will they also work with FireFox? or are you saying when surfing, to use FireFox instead of always clickingo on IE. Appreciate your help.
John

[danielchan]

I came across 'Avant' Browser by chance, been using it for a few months...almost a hybrid of Firefox & IE6 is how i describe to friends.. anyone else here familiar with this Avant browser?

[minstrel]

Originally Posted by Kellare

I think IE's a piece of junk from every perspective but since it's sitting on the desktop and many people don't have a clue how to find and install firefox I think it's going to stay #1.

If firefox came pre-installed, especially with some of the great extensions available I don't think too many people would even look at ie once they'd used firefox for a few days.

Gotta disagree with you there. First, because IE is not a piece of crap, although it seems it's fashionable to say so. Second, because the reason people use it isn't simply because they don't know any better: I have both installed... I continue to use IE out of preference.

Firefox is not without it's own bugs, or security vulnerabilities for that matter. There was a time when early versions of IE were pretty horrible and Netscape in those days was far superior but those days are long gone, IMO.

As it stands I don't think security in ie is a major concern to average users, they just trust that microsoft will solve any problems and everything will be ok, while the majority of people that know better will have already changed or at least make sure that they use ie a little smarter than normal.

That part of your post may be true -- I don't know. As I've said before, the most important security component is "between chair and keyboard" -- I've never had a virus or other malware infection get past the combination of real-time antivirus software, a decent firewall, and anti-spyware measures combined with a little common sense.

[danno]

Hi,

Firefox is my favorite toy.
http://www.firefoxie.net

However, I don't really have time for a lot of its quirks. I love the developer extension, and if I want to see something in a different size, I'll pop up firefox.

I could always get that functionality with an IE add-on but hey, like I said, Firefox is my favorite toy.

During the security crazed days of IE6 on XP Service Pack 1, I got so tired of IE I stopped using it for periods of time. I just got tired of the spyware.

Since XP service pack 2 came out, I'm back to IE as my regular browser. It loads fast, of course it does this because it only needs to open a window,
not load a program, you can't beat that.

It feels lighter and faster now in the Service Pack 2 iteration, probably just the lack of spyware that has managed to infiltrate my pc these days.
I think that was the "real" slowdown before.

IE6
I like deciding which activex controls I will allow.
I like deciding which downloads I will allow.
I like opening windows madly with almost no overhead.

Firefox
I like the extensions - fun toys
I like the "in page search" feature
I like the "build it yourself" aspect, you put in the options that "you" want.

If Internet Explorer continues to work as well as it does now, with all of the available features and add-ons that are available for it, why switch?

Any computer these days needs:

Norton Anti-Virus
Ad-aware 6
Spybot Search & Destroy
A router for a low-overhead firewall

In addition, you can have secure Internet Explorer to the extreme if you really need it.

Internet Explorer security has improved greatly by default and there are lots of options if you really want to see how far you can take security.

You can lock down Internet Explorer

You can use Qwik-Fix Pro which comes out with security patches even before Microsoft sometimes

You can also use Maxthon if you want all the latest features like tabbed browsing added to your Internet Explorer

There's also a product called Secure IE but I haven't tried it yet and therefore have no comment on it.

A balanced view will say, "Use what you like, when you like". When I'm playing around, I use firefox sometimes. I also use it for the great "in page text search" feature.

Most of the time though, I need to get things done so I use Internet Explorer.

Danno

[Deep13]

I agree that IE is insecure but firefox / mozilla are also not secured :(

check this page, there was an article on it on security focus..you may check it here

I presonally find Opera much better compared to other 2...(version 8 Beta is very good)

Regards
Deep

[kino]

I know this is a little OT but this is a great little tweak for Firefox to make it go faster:

http://www.boingboing.net/2004/12/29...eak_for_f.html

Note: Mozilla have released a statement saying that these tweaks can affect the way a page loads but we haven't experienced this ourselves. All the changes are completely reversible if you do get problems.

I have shown that to a few of our clients and they have been amazed. I think that has been more effective as a conversion tool than the security aspect. We find it considerably faster than IE now and that makes it very attractive.

As Biddlebugs says though, we still have to design with IE in mind and use it here for page testing (all versions from 4 up unfortunately).

John - yes you can use Firefox in exactly the same way as IE for browsing the net. You can run both as well at the same time so give it a try and see if you like it.

Best

Kino

[chriskn]

After installing SP2 I find I am suddenly getting lots of advertising web pages whenever I use IE. So I've installed firefox and the problem has gone away. However, there are a number of applications that just don't work with firefox, not least the Alexa toolbar for tracking web site rankings, so IE still gets used occasionally.

[danno]

[quote="minstrel
Gotta disagree with you there. First, because IE is not a piece of crap, although it seems it's fashionable to say so. Second, because the reason people use it isn't simply because they don't know any better: I have both installed... I continue to use IE out of preference.

Firefox is not without it's own bugs, or security vulnerabilities for that matter. There was a time when early versions of IE were pretty horrible and Netscape in those days was far superior but those days are long gone, IMO.
[/quote]

Wow, I agree with Minstrel, who would believe it :)

Anecdotal: For the non-technical user, who has no inclination toward updating spyware software and uses an old version of anti-virus software and never updates it, Firefox may be the answer. One of my customers related that once his friend installed Firefox, all the problems with spyware and everything on his computer stopped, so he was also interested in it.

I think the best thing Microsoft could do would be to release a version of Internet Explorer with the same things disabled by default as Firefox does. That would solve a multitude of problems.

Professional users and developers could install/enable features and add-ons as needed.

Danno

[Kellare]

Originally Posted by minstrel

Gotta disagree with you there. First, because IE is not a piece of crap, although it seems it's fashionable to say so. Second, because the reason people use it isn't simply because they don't know any better: I have both installed... I continue to use IE out of preference.

I'm not sure if it's fashionable or not, at least you can make an informed decision about your choices though which I don't think the average user can.

I've thought ie was junk basically since ms started using it to run windows which I feel is where most of it's security vulnerabilities can cause some serious damage, additionally it doesnt conform to any real standards correctly(other than those that ms like) and I don't like the way microsoft tries to force developers to do things their way when it's not necessary (Things like certification and security) which as a result can cause extremely high expenses for small developers.

Originally Posted by minstrel

Firefox is not without it's own bugs, or security vulnerabilities for that matter.

Very true, there are bugs in a LOT of software, and as far as development goes firefox is still just a baby. I'll be very interested to see what it's like if it makes it to version 6 ;)

Originally Posted by minstrel

There was a time when early versions of IE were pretty horrible and Netscape in those days was far superior but those days are long gone, IMO.

Also true but I don't think Netscape stood much of a chance after what microsoft did but thats not really important.