3rd party browser issues.

  • Thread starter Thread starter jona
  • Start date Start date
J

jona

Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?

Any suggestions/input/experiences would be appreciated
cheers
jona
 
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other
browsers do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of
Firebird, should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since
IE is an integral part of windows will I not have other
windows related issues to contend with ? Or, if I don't
uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave the whole windows
vulnerability intact ?

Any suggestions/input/experiences would be appreciated
cheers
jona
Click to expand...

Personally, I like the ability to install/un-install IE at will
using 98 Lite. It solves many difficult windows related issues.
 
My Name said:
Personally, I like the ability to install/un-install IE at will
using 98 Lite. It solves many difficult windows related issues.
Click to expand...

Ja, but in your experience, does that not create *other* windows
related issues - especially in WinXP ? For instance, does removing
IE also remove the MS Java module ?

Uhmmm, now that you mention 98lite, I've just realized that I'm
not too sure how I need to uninstall IE in WinXP.
 
jona said:
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?

Any suggestions/input/experiences would be appreciated
cheers
jona
Click to expand...

Maybe, but windows update including the native critical update feature
doesn't work without IE.
 
jona said:
Ja, but in your experience, does that not create *other* windows
related issues - especially in WinXP ? For instance, does removing
IE also remove the MS Java module ?

Uhmmm, now that you mention 98lite, I've just realized that I'm
not too sure how I need to uninstall IE in WinXP.
Click to expand...
Very tempted to try W98lite as I downloaded Java 1.4 from Sun and
Mozilla seems happy with it.
 
Maybe, but windows update including the native critical update feature
doesn't work without IE.
Click to expand...


I downloaded the sasser patch from MS today using Mozilla. Not from the
usual Windows update page, but a link on that page.

Of course, this might be temporary while everyone is downloading the
patch and they will pull the link when sasser is no longer spreading wildly.
 
jona said:
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?

Any suggestions/input/experiences would be appreciated
cheers
jona
Click to expand...

I installed Mozilla Firefox and use it exclusively for browsing the web.
I havent uninstalled IE as its needed for windows update and for some
strange reason messenger>hotmail seems hardwired.

The amount of popups has died away to nothing and with the Adblock
plugin I dont see any banner adds either.

Rarely I come across a site that doesnt display correctly without IE
(Another reason to keep it) and it is handy if Firefox gets corrupted,
through a dodgy plug installation for example.
 
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?
Click to expand...

I kept mine on when I was using WIN98.
Block it with your Firewall. That way you can still use it if you need
to. Make sure your new browser is the default. Get another Email/newsreader
client if you are using OE, which I see you are.
You can get away w/o OE by deleting it.
Keep the patches up to date. I don't think it would be a good idea if you
skip the last patch.
 
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?

Any suggestions/input/experiences would be appreciated
cheers
Click to expand...

Jona,

IE is an important part of the Windows OS, and it's not advisable to remove
unless you are very knowledgeable about Windows.

The best way to get around the "vulnerabilities" of IE is to download the
vulnerability patches, which work very well.

You can also use Opera or Mozilla browsers, which do not rely on IE.

Bob

Remove "kins" to reply by e-mail.
 
Understanding that IE has many security flaws that other browsers
do not, my question is as follows:

If I install a non-IEbased browser like say Opera of Firebird,
should I remove (uninstall) IE ?. I mean, since IE is an integral
part of windows will I not have other windows related issues
to contend with ? Or, if I don't uninstall IE, do I not in fact leave
the whole windows vulnerability intact ?
Click to expand...
Leave IE on. You'll always come across a site written by half-wits who
cater solely for Intershite Exploder. Online banking is a favourite.
 
Ja, but in your experience, does that not create *other* windows
related issues - especially in WinXP ? For instance, does removing
IE also remove the MS Java module ?
Click to expand...
MS Java was removed in an antitrust suit by Java. You can download JRE2
from www.sun.com
Uhmmm, now that you mention 98lite, I've just realized that I'm
not too sure how I need to uninstall IE in WinXP.
Click to expand...
www.litepc.com the new name for 98lite.
 
Jona,

IE is an important part of the Windows OS, and it's not advisable to remove
unless you are very knowledgeable about Windows.
Click to expand...
You mean if she doesn't mind not having HTML help? Thats the only thing
that'll happen.
 
dszady said:
I kept mine on when I was using WIN98.
Block it with your Firewall. That way you can still use it if you need to
Click to expand...

"block *it* with your firewall" ??. I'm a bit in the dark there, doesn't
the firewall run on the internet connection and not on a specific browser.
Make sure your new browser is the default.
Click to expand...

I've been using Slimbrowser as default for quite about 6 months now.
Mainly because I like the tabbed pages browsing feature, which most
other browsers also have. I'm just pissed at IE for it's vulnerability and
persistent need for patches, thus I want to be rid of it entirely. That being
said, is it obvious that I've spent the better part of yesterday evening
and today removing sasser from other machines ? From the little bit I
read up on sasser, I guess any browser on an un-firewalled connection
(under windows) would have been just as vulnerable ... so I'm just lashing
out a bit.
Get another Email/newsreader client if you are using OE, which I see
you are. You can get away w/o OE by deleting it.
Click to expand...

A few months ago I installed and looked into Thunderbird. I really can't
remember what kept me from switching there and then, but I ended up
uninstalling it again. This morning I grabbed the latest version (mentioned
elsewhere on this ng) and will probably install it this coming weekend.
Keep the patches up to date. I don't think it would be a good idea if you
skip the last patch.
Click to expand...

Heck, patch, patch, patch ..... ;->

Thanks to everyone for their input - I guess it's not a good idea to get
rid of IE, so I'll put that idea out of my mind now.
 
Bob Adkins said:
Jona,

IE is an important part of the Windows OS, and it's not advisable to remove
unless you are very knowledgeable about Windows.
Click to expand...

Thanks to you and everyone else for their input. I'll put the idea
out of mind ....... for now.
I guess if it were possible to safely and ideally remove IE, there
would be quite a few forums discussing exactly that.
 
Thanks to everyone for their input - I guess it's not a good idea to get
rid of IE, so I'll put that idea out of my mind now.
Click to expand...

I use Mozilla here, but it's nice to have IE around for those occasional
times when it's needed... no harm in that...
 
Thanks to you and everyone else for their input. I'll put the idea
out of mind ....... for now.
I guess if it were possible to safely and ideally remove IE, there
would be quite a few forums discussing exactly that.
Click to expand...

I ran Win 98 original for years after using IERadicator. Never noticed
a problem. Eradicating IE is a definite option for Win 95 and 98 users
.... providing you make sure you obtain and install all the critical
security patches for the OS.

I don't recommend the use of IERadicator on Win ME. Too much
functionality is lost.

All things considered, it really is best IMO to install IE6 + sp1,
patch it, set security to high, and avoid using it as much as
possible.


Art
http://www.epix.net/~artnpeg
 
Rarely I come across a site that doesnt display correctly without IE
(Another reason to keep it) and it is handy if Firefox gets corrupted,
through a dodgy plug installation for example.
Click to expand...

It's the "rarely" that caused me to look for a IE compatible browser. I
tried Opera, Mozilla and Firefox, Netcaptor, but always found that
IE-compatibility is the only thing that will get me to every site. They're
great browsers, but they all seem to have the idea that they can outsmart
the MS Borg and end up rendering all sites. I found the Avant browser (
http://www.avantbrowser.com ) and it uses the IE engine. I have yet to find
a site this tabbed browser can't render. I can do my windowsupdates with it
too. It is so customizable that I've been able to personalize the way I
spend time on the net. It's fast ( and if you haven't used the url alias
function, I suggest trying it. For example, I put "wu" as the url alias for
windowsupdate.com, so all I do is hit Alt-D to get me to the address line,
then type "wu", enter, and it takes me to windowsupdate.com). It has a
pop-up and ad blocker built in...and it's so good I uninstalled the google
toolbar. It comes packaged with roboform....which I was unsure about at
first...but now I LOVE it....gives me as much...or as little security for
filling in forms or passwords as I choose. Saves a bunch of time.

Sure it uses the Microsoft IE engine....and I have the same love/hate
relationship with MS that most have. But if you're into doing
windowsupdate, virus software updates, Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D checks
often....you'll also like the every month-or-two updates to the browser.
It's a labor of love of the guy who does it....and it's sort of like open
source...he takes suggestions from the forums and incorporates them (imagine
if Microsoft did that). Until I get one of the security breaches of the IE
engine that I hear about...but have never experienced because I'm diligent
about patches....I'm not going to give in to the fear of IE and settle for a
lesser browsing experience.

Just my 2 cents....that and another $3.48 will get you a nice Cafe Mocha.

Tull
 
dszady said:
On Tue, 04 May 2004 06:28:35 +0200, jona wrote: [...]
Block it with your Firewall. That way you can still use it if you need to
Click to expand...

"block *it* with your firewall" ??. I'm a bit in the dark there, doesn't
the firewall run on the internet connection and not on a specific browser.
Click to expand...
[...]

Agnitum Outpost Firewali in the menu go to applications and you'll have
the option to completely block, use preset rules or completely trust(sure,
that's the ticket). When the program is first used and a service comes
up to access the internet it will give you a set of options that you can
also change later.
I had never trusted any app completely so I would either use the preset
rules or block always(e.g. IE, WindowsUpdate)
The actual program is easy to use. Easy enough so I could use it.
I hope that explains it.
JMO I think a person could get away without an Anti-virus prog(not a good
idea). But you gotta have a firewall
 
dszady said:
On Tue, 04 May 2004 06:28:35 +0200, jona wrote: [...]
Block it with your Firewall. That way you can still use it if you
need to
Click to expand...

"block *it* with your firewall" ??. I'm a bit in the dark there,
doesn't the firewall run on the internet connection and not on a
specific browser.
Click to expand...
[...]

Agnitum Outpost Firewali in the menu go to applications and you'll
have the option to completely block, use preset rules or completely
trust(sure, that's the ticket). When the program is first used and a
service comes up to access the internet it will give you a set of
options that you can also change later.
I had never trusted any app completely so I would either use the
preset rules or block always(e.g. IE, WindowsUpdate)
The actual program is easy to use. Easy enough so I could use it.
I hope that explains it.
JMO I think a person could get away without an Anti-virus prog(not a
good idea). But you gotta have a firewall
Click to expand...

Likewise Sygate Personal Firewall. I suspect that all firewalls give you
control over a host of things like apps connecting to the Internet, ports
addressed, and so on...

--Mike
 
Leave IE on. You'll always come across a site written by half-wits who
cater solely for Intershite Exploder. Online banking is a favourite.
Click to expand...

And Firefox has a handy extension available that lets you open a page or
link in IE. K-Meleon (my browser of choice) has a less handy macro to do
the same thing, but you have to be comfortable manually configuring .ini
files to install it.

BTW, I use a financial site that until early last year only worked properly
on Netscape 4. Truly weird.

--Mike
 
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