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Name: Wolfeymole
After doing a few security checks tonight I find, shock horror, that I am in possesion of a mild virus courtesy of IE.
Microsoft informs me that, due to a loophole in IE, this has happened; nothing new there then!
So, folks what's the verdict
Mozilla or IE?
Pros and cons on a postcard please to.....
WolfeyOn a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
Hello Wolfeymole, I installed Mozilla firefox a few months ago and it is a lot more secure than IE. A lot less anoying popups as well.
I do find that some sites don't work 100% with it though, I guess because they are designed for IE and rely on some security flaws to load up. I find that framed sites are particularly bad, as are sites like the software showcase ad on this page. If I try the Driver Detective, the first page loads up ok, but after its finished the scan, the results window doesn't open up. For sites like this I tend to use IE, which I keep for the auto updates from MS.
The conclusion I have come to is that Mozila firefox is great for general surfing, then if I find a site that I feel I can trust, I can use IE if it won't load properly.
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Hi Dave
Thanks for your reply, this is why I wanted to know regarding the security aspect as your initial paragraph states.
I downed Mozilla as we spoke so now I will install it and let you know.
WolfeyOn a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
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Wolfey,
Try Mozilla Firefox, it's from the Mozilla foundation but it is just the browser and not the entire suite(Browser, email, chat).
I have been using it for sometime and have yet to get any spyware from it, but, that isn't why I like it so much. I like it because of all the features, like built in pop up blocking(I know that IE has this now, but Firefox has had it for years), you can customize all the toolbars draging and dropping buttons to and from it. It has an extension system, where with a few clicks you can install extensions into the browser that are less than 10 kb that can do everything you can imagine, like block ads, not only do you not see the ads but it makes Firefox not even download the ads, it just doesn't take the ad away, it compresses the box where the ad was so you don't even know it was there. There's also one called permitcookie where you can set to not except cookies at all then when you come to a site where you want a cookie you just press alt + c and it puts the cookie on a white list.
Everyone likes their preferred extensions to make the browser do what they want that's what makes it so different.
It also has tabbed browsing, which at first I thought was dumb but I can't get by without it now. The only way to find out if you like it is to download and try it. It's less then 5 MB for a Windows download. If your a person who likes messing a round with your browser to get it exactly like you want you will love Firefox, if you don't want to play a round with the stuff it will work right out of the *box* just as good or better than IE.
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Firefox is nothing but Netscape in a different shell. It still lacks some things that IE has that I use such as the Links bar and I'm not ready to give that up. While IE may have more security flaws than the other firefox or mozilla both of those products have had flaws discovered as well.
If your system is taken care of properly and you use a good pop up blocker. PopUpCop keeps a lot of junk off my system and is simply the best pop up blocker around.
Again the others are more secure than IE on the surface but I've been using IE for to damn long to switch over a few bugs or holes found now and then. This is why you keep backups of your important data. If something does happen you smile but I still think IE is the best browser hands down.
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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Hi Domass mate
Well I downed the total moz package which should include firefox I presume. Yes/No, Right/Wrong?
One thing is for sure, it loads a helluva lot faster.
I just need to play about with it for a while and see what it can do but what I have seen so far = I'm impressed.
God Bless Microsoft
Wolfey aka Agnostic
P.S. I love the warning about an unencrypted connection that comes up when replying.On a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
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Wolfey,
No the whole suite doesn't include Firefox, it is a little different, but do try Mozilla then try Firefox too. I find Outlook Express is ok for what I need so I don't need a e-mail client. I don't know if Mozilla has drag and drop for the tool bars but I've heard it was very nice also.
KTTD, you said
It still lacks some things that IE has that I use such as the Links bar and I'm not ready to give that up.Firefox has a links bar, has always had it for the couple of years I've been using it. It has every option that Internet Explorer has and more. I have not a problem with Internet Explorer security, just like Firefox better. Firefox and Mozilla has evolved since the Netscape years, I would not use Netscape. If you don't like it don't use it but what are the things it lacks that IE has? I would like to know, maybe I'm missing something.
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domass,
They call it bookmarks toolbar so I sit corrected. I guess I never really looked that hard for it :)
The biggest thing I hate about it is when you go to Tools/Options. That is Netscape hands down and I have always hated that type of layout. It just bugs me, not sure why but it does. It is not clean and smooth in my opinion. I have nothing again Firefox and one day I might move to it. I just do not feel it is time yet but I do beleive in time Firefox has the ability to take over the browser world since IE will not be updated till Longhorn is released.
So if Firefox does something that WOW's me then I might move in due time.
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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KTTD.
CLICK ME to read why Microsoft's IE Losing Users. When you are ready to make the transition to Firefox (no need to make it your default browser), you can start with this link
Switching from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox.
As an FYI, this link contains everything, including:
* Getting Mozilla Firefox
* Switching is Easy (to import your Favorites, options, cookies, stored passwords, and a variety of other data)
* Browser Plug-ins, Add-ons, and Toolbars
* Firefox and Internet Explorer Terminology Differences
* Keyboard Shortcuts
i_XpUser
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Try both and see which one you like best. I use both, mostly IE, but I use Mozilla for this forum ,since with IE I have major problems signing into MyComputing for some reason. I hear a lot of clicking noises like its trying to open a new windows and then it freezes. I don't know why.
Dell Dimension 4600i
Windows XP Home SP2
Microsoft Office 2003
Pentium 4 @ 2.8GHz
512MB Dual Channel RAM
40GB HD
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KTTD wrote:
So if Firefox does something that WOW's me then I might move in due time.This one may WOW you....
13 Reasons To Use Firefox Over IE
i_XpUser
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1. Pop up blocking? I have that one covered and firefox cannot touch PopUpCop.
2. Download Manager? Don't need one, I'm on a kick ass cable modem.
3. Tab Browsing? I do not care for it and I have a better system already in place and yes I have tried it.
4. Integrated Search Engine? Whoopie. I prefer to use another IE window for my searches.
5. Options? Again, its Netscape. I hate the layout and think it sucks, nuff said.
6. Page Info? I don't need it, waste of my time.
7. Faster Response? Again on a kick ass cable modem, speed does not matter if it loads 1 nanosecond faster and what about the pages that won't display?
8. Keeps HTML Formatting? If I am ever doing this type of function I want to see the source code. Nuff said.
9. Security? I will admit it is more secure at the current time but if it ever hits IE status it will become the browser everyone attacks.
10. Open Source Advantage? To bad those 1000's have not found the bugs before someone else has. Open Source does not make it bullet proof.
11. Cleaner Interface? The history button is nice to have sometimes when working on a clients system. 2% more space is not a big deal in the age of 17, 19 and 21 inch monitors.
13. Smaller Download? Yes it is, it wins hand down for that.
14. Block Images? Useless to me.
Ok, I see no reason at this time to switch and those are my 14 reasons why :)
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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Mind if I throw an extra opinion in? I currently use Firefox alone except for when I need Windows Update. It is a fast little booger, BUT, it gets cranky at times.
The biggest majority of the time, it runs like a charm. But sometimes, it can start to sputter a bit and will close itself up. I don't have this issue often, unless I am multitasking like a madman :-)
Oh, Kevin? Sorry to disagree buddy, but Firefox pop-up killing is probably the best feature of Firefox. Even on the days that Firefox has been in a bad mood, no pop-up has ever snuck through.
I have the Google Toolbar in IE and it will let some through. Now, as far as security goes Firefox is better, but obviously not perfect. There have been recent fixes to confirm that.
But, let's face it, humans code these browsers and software apps, there are going to be problems now and again. The only thing I have a small issue with Firefox is the fact that some of my trusty security apps for IE don't seem to affect Firefox.
No "Spybot has blocked this or that", or other things I'm used to (then again, I may not need them in Firefox). For all-around compatibility, IE beats them all. For security and everything else, Firefox can get it done.
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"9. Security? I will admit it is more secure at the current time but if it ever hits IE status it will become the browser everyone attacks."
Kevin, IE is insecure not because everyone attacks it; it's because MS does not update it ; it's because MS did not create it with security as an attribute. Firefox is not like that, they know security is important and that makes a huge difference.
I use Opera and I will use it untill firefox becomes ready.
Just my $0.02
regards
Hari
System Optimizer like Registry Cleaner & History Cleaner
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dw226,
"Oh, Kevin? Sorry to disagree buddy, but Firefox pop-up killing is probably the best feature of Firefox"
Firefox cannot do what PopUpCop does. I can block scripts, ActiveX, Java and a host of other options if I choose too. Firefox just cannot top it, period. While it may work well you do not have the control I have.
"But, let's face it, humans code these browsers and software apps, there are going to be problems now and again."
I've been saying that for years. As long as humans program code there will be problems.
Hari,
"Kevin, IE is insecure not because everyone attacks it; it's because MS does not update it ; it's because MS did not create it with security as an attribute."
I had said this before and I will say it again. I cannot wait for the day that a browser such as Firefox becomes the norm. We will then see all the problems with it and folks attacking it. If I was going to write a virus I would not write one to attack a Mac system for one reason. It would be a waste of time. If I want to look for an exploit I would look at IE not Firefox because most folks use IE. It is that simple.
I could leave my car doors unlocked and leave the key in the ignition and my car would still be there because nobody would want to steal it. Nobody is going to even give my junk a glance because they want something that has worth.
Well if I was going to write an exploit I would want to do it towards something that has worth. Firefox at this time does not have that worth and I pray one day it will so I can laugh at you folks.
Nuff said....
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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I have used Mozila for many years now. Version 1.7 is the best so far. 1.8 has to be ironed out yet. The cookie and pop up controls are simple and easy. Those two items give you greater security. I didn't like the idea of having to put add-ons to MIE to do the same job.
MIE is still needed for windows update and as a previous poster noted, MIE can veiw some sites better. (So far I have had little problem in that respect)
Firefox and Thunderbird are also on my computer but I haven't adapted to them as well. I have yet to find the controls I have mentioned but that is to my lack of user interface.
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You know Kevin, sometimes, the way you sing IE's praises, I would swear you were Bill gate's long lost brother :-) I'm only teasing, lol. I will have to agree that Firefox does not have as much control as the blocker you use.
Though am I right in thinking that Firefox doesn't really support the types of Active-X scripting we all worry about? Also, I can block javascript and java by going into "Tools" and unchecking them, not by having to search through screen after screen in IE.
I'm not saying Firefox does it better, but it can be done. And, yes, if Firefox ever has the user amount equal to IE, it will undoubtably be attacked. The same thing would happen to Linux and Mac if they ever got the amount of usage Windows has.
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dw226,
Thank you for at least acknowledgeing that fact. A lot of defenders would never have the balls to admit it.
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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Boy KTTD,
I was going to let this thread die, with your response number 7, as I try not to convince anyone to use something they don't want. I think it's a shame if they don't try it first, but if they try it and don't like it, that is their choice and I respect that. Then I come back here today and see all of these responses when I thought the thread was dead yesterday. WOW. The only little thing that I could add to any of them is that the best thing I like about Firefox is that I can block every and I mean EVERY ad on this page, even the intelltxt ads in the text of the messages.
I guess when people find something new they like it's like religion, they want to share it with everyone.
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Holy Moley
Looks like I opened another can of worms AGAIN.
But, as they say in Parliament "The ayes have it". The ayes being pro moz/firefox, esp firefox.
As usual ladies and gentlemen your astounding divergences of opinion enlighten me totally.
But what is this I see XP User going against KTTD, well well, oops no I'm wrong he's back brown nosing oh well such is life.
Thank You for all your contributions.
WolfeyOn a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
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But what is this I see XP User going against KTTD, well well, oops no I'm wrong he's back brown nosing oh well such is life.
I don't get you. I was only showing KTTD the merits using Firefox as alternative browser, and nothing more!
i_XpUser
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It was post number 12 I was refering to XP me old fruit bat.
Here's a can of Pepsi and some nice herbs encased in paper for you to peruse at a later date.
WolfeyOn a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
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Wolfey,
Now I got it. It was just an off-the-wall comment on my part. KTTD asked for something that would WOW him to try Firefox.
Have a Good Day.
i_XpUser
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I'm not against Firefox, never have been. It is just not for me at this time. Wolfey and XpUser you two should just get married. Yall fight like an old married couple.
KTTD
Life is not fair, people lie and making it is not easy in this world.
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Yes I know mate I'm only winding you up.
Moz/Firefox could be covered in gold leaf and KTTD(god bless him) would still find something to crow about.
He's a dyed in the wool MS cat which aint a problem, but all I ask is that he opens his eyes and acknowledges that old Billy Boy is not the dogs doodles.
Your ever attentive Wolfey
WolfeyOn a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?
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