Internet Explorer or Mozilla / Firewalls?

[Binnit]

Browsers
As a home user on a single machine about to be upgrading to Broadband, I wondered if there is a general opinion as to which internet browser I should use.

I have found various mentions of Mozilla on the forum but know very ittle about it other than it is an alternative to IE (which always seems to be questioned regarding security issues).

I do not run any other browser software applications which would require IE.

Firewalls
I would also appreciate any guidance on Third party Firewalls, are these really necessary over and above the IE firewall?

I do run Macafee Virus Home edition version 6 which does appear to have a firewall option (not curently installed) should I consider a new package or upgrade Macfee?.

Give me too many options and I get confused!

Any guidance along with pros' and cons would be appreciated.



If IT ain’t working Binnit and Reboot

 

[bcastner]

IE does not contain a firewall, neither does Mozilla or any other web browser I have seen.

Yes you should use a firewall. XP in Service Pack 2 has a very good one.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/sp2preview.mspx

 

[gpalmer711]

What are Good Virus/Spyware?Update/Firewall Practices? faq779-5240

Mozilla Firefox is a very good browser that does not have the same security holes as IE. However it would be naive to think, like alot of people, that there are not such problems with Firefox. It is a simple case that because so many more people use IE thats the one hackers concentrate on. Firefox has a good popup stopper and also allows you to open several webpages in the same instance of Firefox by using tabs.

The best weapon against viruses and the like is common sense, don't click on anything that you do not know what it is. Download only from respected/trusted sources. And remember that there are plenty of people out there that will help if you are unsure of something.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Jump1ng]

If you are worried about having software being able to launch through the security holes that exist with html I would recommend you to you use mozilla or firebird (still in beta albeit a very good and stable beta) as they aren't as prone as IE to suffer malicous good instructions etc.

Only problem is that some sites haven't followed proper html standards and doesn't work or look right using mozilla/firebird.

I have switched to mozilla as my chose of browser at work. At home im still using IE but also uses Firebird.

I think SP2 for xp is suppose to be released on the 6th of August if you don't want to install a pre release. Other good free software firewalls are Kerio and Zonealarm (not sure if it still exist) and Sygate sure there is more but can't thinkg of any more at the moment.

 

[Binnit]

Bill, thanks for your comments
Firewalls
I'm now running XP with SP1, are you suggesting I await release of SP2 and forget the third party stuff?

Browsers
I was really just trying to identify if its worth switching from IE with its "questionable security" to Mozilla and if there are any particular XP issues that I need to consider.

If IT ain’t working Binnit and Reboot

 

[Binnit]

GPalmer / Jump1ng
Thanks for your comments, I think this demonstrates the 2 sides to this argument nicely.

Maybe I should just try both browsers (I presume there are no XP issues regarding running them both?)



If IT ain’t working Binnit and Reboot

 

[bcastner]

I would download and apply the Release Candidate RC2 of Service Pack 2 now.

It is a very stable release. It will also reduce the time spent when Service Pack 2 is final.

Use the very good firewall product included with Service Pack 2 as a baseline from which to decide if you need additional features offered in third-party products.

 

[gpalmer711]

Going along with Bill's suggestion is the enhancements to IE in SP2. It now includes a popup blocker and other security enhancements.

My only gripe with it is that the default levels are too secure!! For example any scripts in a page are blocked as default. Not a bad Idea, but often important navigation panels are Java/VB Scripts.

A quick tweak can rectify this, if you feel it is overbearing.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Binnit]

Bill/Greg
Thanks again, I will retrieve RC2 as soon as I am connected at my domestic premises for both your reasons.

If IT ain’t working Binnit and Reboot

 

[Rick998]

Binnit,

We haven't found any issues running IE and Mozilla side-by-side.

Our users are restricted to IE6. IT Techs use both IE6 and Mozilla 1.7.1 (stable release). We tried Firefox but reverted back to Mozilla for ease-of-use/less problems converting.

Mozilla appears to be faster than IE6 for browsing in most cases but there are downsides, i.e. Mozilla-specific plug-ins have to be installed for things that may be taken for granted in IE, e.g. Flash support.

Also, as per Jump1ng's post, some sites just don't play ball with Mozilla. For example, using Mozilla 1.7.1, if we browse to

http://support.microsoft.com/

and click on the link to 'Search the Knowledge Base' then nothing happens.

As a result, we've kept our options open and retained IE6 whilst using Mozilla for most browsing.

Hope this helps...

Rick