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There Is No Safe Web Browser

Posted by Zonk on from the internet-is-a-scary-place dept.

Michael writes "David Sheets has up an interesting article on browser security, and I have to agree with his conclusion: no web browser is safe. The article details the recent Netscape fiasco, and touches on the whole Firefox/Internet Explorer debate. From the article: 'So if it sounds as if we're all at the mercy of hackers just looking for some new challenge, that's partially true. As law enforcement officers will tell you, crime finds you if it wants you bad enough, no matter what preventative measures you take. But the vast majority of criminals have an Achilles' heel: They prefer convenience to challenge. For now, it's more convenient for them to pick on Internet Explorer.'"

2 of 444 comments (clear)

  1. Hit the Nail on the Head by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think that this author has finally gotten it right. Note the increasing instances of popup ads that are tailored for firefox users etc.

    As firefox gains in popularity, expect that the number of exploits aimed towards it will continue to rise.

    That being said, the nice thing about firefox (and OSS), is that lots of eyeballs can look at, and fix, the code in a timely manner.

  2. Come on by a_greer2005 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The problem is ignorant users, the headline is like saying "THERE IS NO SAFE CAR" of cource no car is safe when you dont buckle up, drive 120MPH and swirve, but when proper precautions are taken, I dare say a Lexus is safer than a Pinto.
    Browsers can be totaly safe, as much as I hate to say it, IE can be pretty safe too. just follow these rules:
    1:USE A FIREWALL
    2: update your browser
    3:disable ActiveX, any site that uses it is a site you should learn to live without.
    4: (the one most often broken) DONT CLICK YES ALL THE TIME, warnings are there for a reason.
    5: Dont DL and run STUPID executables

    Most Browsers do a decent job of protecting you fron the bad stuff, but NOTHING can protect you from yourself, short of cutting the cable, and if you do that, dont run with scisors