Forumites recc'd Firefox Browser ...

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Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

So I installed it .... very good then strange bits didn't work .... and then to crown it all when I did an update of some software - it interrogated my machine for any other software to update ... I accepted it to do it and it was NOT Bill Gates Spyware .... Firefox was diagnosed as Netscape derivative !!

Anyway - I've now bowed to IE again - as my Internet Bank didn't like FF, Windows update refused to work, Office update refused to work, in fact various download windows froze as it waited for IE to fire up ..... checking the gaff about the download windows they stipulated IE 5 or later .....

Sorry - brave and good try - but updates are important to me and manually doing them is a pain ...... maybe later if Firefox sorts this out - then I'm back on again ...

Anyone use the e-mail program that is advertised same page as Firefox ???? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

Nigel
Use both Firefox and Thunderbird - no spam and no problems.
Great bits of kit
Regards
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

The good, and bad, thing about Firefox is that it doesn't allow ActiveX controls to run. They are a proprietory Microsoft facility which was initially designed to add functionality to the web. Many legitimate website designers latched onto them to provide all-singing all-dancing website features, then the scumware writers discovered they could create untold mayhem in your machine. Since then most legit websites have moved away from ActiveX but some are stuck with it for the time being, including presumably your bank. Microsoft of course is not about to make it easy for you to use a rival browser.

So here's my tip - use IE for your bank and microsoft updates but switch to Firefox for access to any site you don't trust. I have both on my machine and they coexist happily. The only problem is that you have to select one browser as the default which will always be used when you click on a link to open a new window.

p.s. Natwest online banking doesn't use ActiveX, nor I believe does LTSB.
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

It is sort of a Netsacpe derivative in that it uses the "gecko" rather than IE engine. If you use the alternative M$ site you can still acquire your updates. The email client (Thunderbird) is really rather good, certainly beats Outlook into a cocked hat. All IMHO of course.
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

It isn't actually. It's not bomb proof, nothing is, but it doesn't support Browser Helper Objects(BHO) or browser plug ins and is not vulnerable to most of the security exploits that affect Internet Explorer. It is safer than IE and probably as safe as Firefox and Opera.
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

I suggested to Nigel:

If you want to go somewhere in the middle try Deepnet Explorer - many of the features of Firefox but based on IE.

You replied

Problem with that is it still uses the IE engine so is still open to abuse from the scumware authors. Firefox or Opera are safer bets.

To which I replied:

It isn't actually. It's not bomb proof, nothing is, but it doesn't support Browser Helper Objects(BHO) or browser plug ins and is not vulnerable to most of the security exploits that affect Internet Explorer. It is safer than IE and probably as safe as Firefox and Opera.

Come on keep up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

Opera works well....no spam/virus issues since I changed over from IE.
But the next office computers will be just Linux, we we've been trailling it on a laptop and it does everything windows does but better.
 
Re: Forumites recc\'d Firefox Browser ...

I am going to make you sit at the front if you keep getting distracted and don't pay attention /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes it "still uses the IE engine"

but no it is not "still open to abuse from the scumware authors" entirely.

The article you quote is contradictory, it does say "However, those wanting to bolster their Internet security should opt for non-IE-based browsers such as Firefox, Opera, or even Netscape" but then goes on to say DE has "built-in features that include advanced security" and "DE also provides better security features than Microsoft Internet Explorer" so it has got to be a reasonable compromise even if it isn't as secure as the others and you can still access your bank account.

At the end of the day you pays your money and takes your choice (except DE is free).
 
I like Firefox and Thunderbird

I have been using Firefox and Thunderbird for a few months ....
No problems at all with anything.....

It is interesting to see the number of things that they stop other computers trying to do to mine.

Cant be more technical than that. I´m a sailor for god´s sake.
 
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