I’ve been a Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox user for at least the past 7 years. Part of the reason for using these non-Microsoft non-Internet Explorer browsers is that I do not like the inherent insecurities of Microsoft Internet Explorer – being the target of spyware/malware/adware as well as other security holes including ActiveX, etc. Another reason is that for these past 7+ years I have been a (at least part-time) user of non-Windows operating systems, primarily Linux.
On Linux, (“obviously ” for some of you tech-savvy readers), Microsoft Internet Explorer does not exist. First Netscape, then Mozilla, and now Firefox are the most popular browsers for Linux, over the course of the past few years. And sure, other browsers do exist on Linux, just as others exist for Windows. But, the nice thing about using Firefox on Linux and on Windows, is that they operate similarly, offer pop-up blocking, tabbed windows, and fine-grain control over which cookies and images you would like to accept or reject based on hostname.
So even while I am at work running Windows 2000, or while using Windows XP on my laptop (usually only to run Microsoft only programs that I need for school), Firefox is the way I browse and utilize the Internet.
While I do recognize the title of this post, Internet Explorer can be used for a select few things. It should only be used:
1. To run Windows Update.
If you run Microsoft Windows, and use your computer very often to visit Internet sites or to send email, you should visit this web site and install all updates on a near daily basis. When you go to the site, click the ‘Scan for updates’ link and Windows Update will proceed to check what you have installed and gives you a list of items that need updating. Usually the ‘Critical Updates and Service Packs’ fix known security holes and are the most important. The update in the ‘Windows {your_windows_version}’ category usually fix holes related specifically to your Windows version. ‘Driver Updates’ are pretty self-explanatory, updates for software drivers of your hardware and devices. I recommend that you install ALL of the updates that Windows Update identifies. After the inevitable restart that it makes you perform after installing updates, I advise you to run Windows Update again. Sometimes some updates are dependent on prerequisite updates. Repeat this process of restarting and running Windows Update until it tells you “There are no updates available at this time”.
2. To visit non-standards compliant websites that simply do not work with Firefox.
Use a bit of caution in this situation however. If you are trying to do something illegal or borderline illegal (or even if you are not), these sites might also try to install harmful code on your computer, such as spyware, malware, adware or a virus. Think before you fire up Internet Explorer. Is this site really worth the risk? If it is to pay a bill or visit you bank’s website that will simply not work in Firefox, you should be alright, but always be extra careful.
3. To download Firefox.
This is probably the best use for Internet Explorer, after all.
I hope you take my tips into consideration and wean yourself off of Internet Explorer whenever possible. You will keep your computer that much safer just by making this small adjustment. Remember to always run and keep your anti-virus software and anti-spyware applications up to date as well.
If all of this seems like too much work, maybe you should consider running Linux. Personally, I run Fedora Core.
