Using Alternative Browsers

[Guilbert]

Most people use Internet Explorer for their web browsing.

The hackers know this, so often viruses are written so they
cause most havoc for IE users. For example Active X only
works on IE, and many viruses are written in Active X.

Two other free browsers you may want to consider are
Firefox or Opera. Both are easy to find on the internet.

Both are free to download, fairly small, and will give you
more trouble free browsing than IE.

In fact there is an American security organization that is
suggestion people DO NOT use IE because of the security
issues.

Guilbert

[mart]

Is OPERA free? I looked at it recently and didn't get that impression.

Mart

[steve56]

didnt think much of her show yrs ago.ha

[philk]

There is a free version of opera but, from memory, the free version has in built adverts - they used to appear at the top right of the browser window (i.e. they arent pop ups) and they are fairly unobtrusive.

The other benefit of opera is its quicker than IE but, be warned, the majority of websites are designed for IE and IE is actually very forgiving in its interpretation of HTML whereas Opera isnt. Therefore a site may display perfectly in IE but may look like pants in Opera (or Netscape/Mozilla or Firefox etc) - this is caused by poor web coding and is not a criticism of the browser. It wont be an issue on major sites like CNN or BBC but on smaller niche sites (the type which we frequent ) ) it may well be!

Jason

[Deuce Bigolo]

I used all of them 2 years ago(opera,mozilla,netscape) and thought IE was still the easiest to use

Its all trial & error

I recall when I came to uninstall Mozilla it didn't want to leave-beware

cheers
B....OZ

[rrankin]

I use Mozilla Firefox, which works great for 98% of the websites I have visited. Initially the tab browsing annoyed me, but now I find it really useful along with a few other features.

I have Netscape as a backup but never seem to need it.

Occasionally I come across a site that only works with IE which is bloody annoying.

[Deuce Bigolo]

I've no doubt they have improved just as Apple Macs have become more Windows friendly overtime...98 to 2 isn't a bad result but would still irk when you get no access

Personally if I were upgrading from Windows 98 to say XP I'd seriously look at the others purely from a security point of view

You only need look at to see where the weaknesses are which the hackers are exploiting to the fullest.All down to being poorly written programs some say

cheers
B....OZ

[The Last Word]

I'm running XP at the moment, and, credit where it's due, the built-in firewall is actually rather good. Then again, that's not stopped a lot of XP users getting problems due to them not bothering to activate it, of course.

[Deuce Bigolo]

I blame a lot of the computer industry for that?

I'm sure there is software on my computer that I will never be proficient at using or even discover it for that matter until I do a proper IT course

God knows the sales people wouldn't say anything unless you asked them
How many 1st time computer users/buyers know what to ask?

Why do they wait till after your up and running to sell you essential security programs and in particular anti-spyware programs

Its clear that a conflict of interests exists as they work both sides of the fence

Look no further than Computer Help lines that are staffed by people with no training...pure lip serviceconsumer affairs had a field day with them

cheers
B....OZ