stingerhs Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 you know, i conducted a little test to see the difference in how much spyware i could accumulate on my computer by simply switching to IE from FireFox. the idea was to spend one week doing what i had been doing by using FireFox, and the other with IE. before i started, i decided that if i needed to visit a site outside of LucasForums, Gamespot, IGN, RottenTomatoes, or FileFront, i would use the family computer downstairs. not only that, but i would also have to visit each site everyday out of that week. taking into account that i have a picky firewall (ZoneAlarm), i went through the first week and did a spyware scan with Ad-Aware 1.06 and Microsoft Anitspyware Beta. results: two spyware programs and one adware. the next week, i used IE. after performing the scans with both programs, the results were staggering. 17 spyware programs and 7 adware programs was just the beginning. throughout the week, i also kept track of what my firewall and antivirus programs picked up while surfing the web. my firewall managed to detect 4 Trojans before they even entered my computer in addition to 3 other Trojans that my antivirus program picked up. i was also notified a number of times by my firewall that a number of imbedded programs were attepting to access the internet, and were subsequently being blocked. after performing a full out virus scan, another 2 Trojans and 3 worms were identified and removed from my computer. trust me: i'm never going back to IE. its just too much of a security risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lion54 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 ^^^^ I haven't done a test like you did, but I have noticed a huge difference in spyware/adware/trojans/ext. since I switched to FireFox. Its a lot more secure. trust me: i'm never going back to IE. its just too much of a security risk. Wise words, indeed. I'm never going back either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevanA4 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 heh I even downloaded and installed it on my computer at work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aash Li Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 I feel sorry for all those computers out there that only use IE... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevanA4 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 I feel sorry for all those computers out there that only use IE... not as sorry as I feel for the computers that still run on 3.1 yeah they exsist still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 I was well aware of IE's vulnrabilities, yet I was lazy and still used it. Then one fateful day happily using IE I got hit with a really viscious flavor of the Coolwebsearch Trojan, it crippled my laptop... 5 days later I finally got rid of that nasty once and for all. One of the security forums I browsed had links to several browsers, Firefox was the one I picked and I will never go back to IE. [insert incorrect game buzzer here] Hmm... I've seen this somewhere before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevanA4 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 I was well aware of IE's vulnrabilities, yet I was lazy and still used it. Then one fateful day happily using IE I got hit with a really viscious flavor of the Coolwebsearch Trojan, it crippled my laptop... 5 days later I finally got rid of that nasty once and for all. One of the security forums I browsed had links to several browsers, Firefox was the one I picked and I will never go back to IE. Hmm... I've seen this somewhere before! no you didn't I'm made that up yours was [insert game buzzer here] I'm innocent I tell ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Wow, a bit of FireFox nazism going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladimir-Vlada Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Wow, a bit of FireFox nazism going on. That's why I stopped posting on this thread. Oooops! I posted again. >< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeX Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 IMHO FF > IE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOssusKeeper Posted September 18, 2005 Author Share Posted September 18, 2005 you know, i conducted a little test to see the difference in how much spyware i could accumulate on my computer by simply switching to IE from FireFox. the idea was to spend one week doing what i had been doing by using FireFox, and the other with IE. before i started, i decided that if i needed to visit a site outside of LucasForums, Gamespot, IGN, RottenTomatoes, or FileFront, i would use the family computer downstairs. not only that, but i would also have to visit each site everyday out of that week. taking into account that i have a picky firewall (ZoneAlarm), i went through the first week and did a spyware scan with Ad-Aware 1.06 and Microsoft Anitspyware Beta. results: two spyware programs and one adware. the next week, i used IE. after performing the scans with both programs, the results were staggering. 17 spyware programs and 7 adware programs was just the beginning. throughout the week, i also kept track of what my firewall and antivirus programs picked up while surfing the web. my firewall managed to detect 4 Trojans before they even entered my computer in addition to 3 other Trojans that my antivirus program picked up. i was also notified a number of times by my firewall that a number of imbedded programs were attepting to access the internet, and were subsequently being blocked. after performing a full out virus scan, another 2 Trojans and 3 worms were identified and removed from my computer. trust me: i'm never going back to IE. its just too much of a security risk. Wow! I hadn't done any tests like this, but i have noticed what you mean about the spyware and adware and all the crap that IE lets in... Since I got FF, i haven't had as many pop-ups, ads and other junk. my firewall and anti-virus apps haven't had to work as hard... and my ad-aware and spybot search and destroy apps haven't had to work as hard either... Me thinks I won't be using IE anymore... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Firefox is so uber, I've actually forgotten what IE is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aash Li Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 http://minimizetotray.mozdev.org/ Its awesome! You can minimize Firefox, Thunderbird, *and* Mozilla Suite with this single extension to system tray! Just instal it, and instead of the usual left click on the - button, right click and BAM! its in the sys-tray! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOssusKeeper Posted September 18, 2005 Author Share Posted September 18, 2005 @ Aash Li, cool, sounds very useful, thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeskywalker1 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Hmmm.. I've had like 3-4 Viruss/trojans/spyware etc in two years of using IE. Ummm 0 in the 4 months or so that I used FireFox. It really depends on the sites you go to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeiamyourdad Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Hmmm.. I've had like 3-4 Viruss/trojans/spyware etc in two years of using IE. Ummm 0 in the 4 months or so that I used FireFox. It really depends on the sites you go to... I never got that many trojans/virus/spywares when I used IE regularly. Still got a bunch though. Maybe 15 spywares in a month. But I agree, people should stop clicking on those "Hot blonde sucking large wang" links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aash Li Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 The thing is, you shouldnt have to put up with getting with spyware and trojans, and whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOssusKeeper Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 The thing is, you shouldnt have to put up with getting with spyware and trojans, and whatever. true, but unfortunately there will always be spyware, ads, trojans, and viruses, etc… just like there will always be crime in some form or another… that’s why having anti-virus apps, firewalls, pop-up blockers, spyware removers and ad-ware removers is a good thing, and still your at risk… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHawke Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 but unfortunately there will always be spyware, ads, trojans, and viruses, etc… just like there will always be crime in some form or another… Well, if IE was patched correctly there would be no regular intrusions on our PC's. While the occasional malicious deviant would write a similar program and cause some havoc, they would be a rarity and the exception, not commonplace like they are now. that’s why having anti-virus apps, firewalls, pop-up blockers, spyware removers and ad-ware removers is a good thing, and still your at risk… Nope the existance of some of these programs are a bad thing for us, the consumers... Some of these programs are the main reason why IE won't be fixed and why these programs and companies that make these anti-spyware programs exist, the tons of money that is in making programs like this for Microsoft's flawed IE is the major contributor to the reasons the flaws still exist in IE. It's all about $$$! No IE flaws = No reason for Anti-Spyware, Anti-Popup programs to even exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 No IE flaws = No reason for Anti-Spyware, Anti-Popup programs to even exist.thats why you do some looking around, as well as some testing, to find freeware that'll do the same job as the other stuff. my entire computer security system utilizes freeware programs that do just fine when it comes to security. come to think of it, Firefox is generally apart of my system of freeware internet security.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOssusKeeper Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Well, if IE was patched correctly there would be no regular intrusions on our PC's. While the occasional malicious deviant would write a similar program and cause some havoc, they would be a rarity and the exception, not commonplace like they are now. thats not entirely true, even if it was patched properly someone somewhere would still find a way to by-pass it... and it would still be common place, the more ads they can get on your monitor the more money they make... and spyware for the most part, is to learn your habits, the sites you visit, the things you buy, etc. but mostly they are part of a marketing thing... but there are some spyware that are malicious and steal your ID, card no.s etc... Nope the existance of some of these programs are a bad thing for us, the consumers... Some of these programs are the main reason why IE won't be fixed and why these programs and companies that make these anti-spyware programs exist, the tons of money that is in making programs like this for Microsoft's flawed IE is the major contributor to the reasons the flaws still exist in IE. It's all about $$$! No IE flaws = No reason for Anti-Spyware, Anti-Popup programs to even exist. not necessarily, IE wasn't built to be an anti-virus, anti-spyware, pop-up ad blocker. it was built to be a web browser, the pop-up blocker was just a throw in bonus... these other apps such as spyware blockers and anti-virus etc. are there to do what the normal average brower like IE wasn't built for, so basically they are a good thing... but yes i agree about some of these apps being about the money but thats the same with everything, i don't think they are directly or indirectly related to the flaws in IE being fixed, it's just laziness on microsofts part... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeiamyourdad Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 thats not entirely true, even if it was patched properly someone somewhere would still find a way to by-pass it... and it would still be common place, the more ads they can get on your monitor the more money they make... and spyware for the most part, is to learn your habits, the sites you visit, the things you buy, etc. but mostly they are part of a marketing thing... but there are some spyware that are malicious and steal your ID, card no.s etc... Of course, but that does not mean Microsoft can leave the security holes wide open for spywares to come in. not necessarily, IE wasn't built to be an anti-virus, anti-spyware, pop-up ad blocker. it was built to be a web browser, the pop-up blocker was just a throw in bonus... these other apps such as spyware blockers and anti-virus etc. are there to do what the normal average brower like IE wasn't built for, so basically they are a good thing... but yes i agree about some of these apps being about the money but thats the same with everything, i don't think they are directly or indirectly related to the flaws in IE being fixed, it's just laziness on microsofts part... There's no anti-spyware built in Firefox as far as I know. It was also built to be a webbrowser with an integrated pop-up blocker. But, it also has less basic security flaws then IE and they indeed are related to IE's flaws. It's base coding is already full of holes. To defend Microsoft, I guess they wouldn't know all the kinds of possible flaws it has, but the Mozilla folks knew about them. Thus they were able to build up a browser with less known and easy to exploit security holes with a more solid base coding. Nevertheless, I don't really think that there's a whole "Microsoft and anti-virus software maker are just trying to rip us off". It would seem quite unlikely, but I once thought about it. It could very well be anti-virus software companies hire virus makers in order to continue the sales of their products. It seems the number of existing viruses is extremely high, a fact that I find quite odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi3112 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 I don't think I would be doing anything with my bankaccount online if I had IE. However since I have FireFox I can benefit from the rewards of online banking (a 0.8% additional (2.2% yearly to 3.0%, can get it up to 3.5% or 4.0%, but those have conditions I don't like) interest on my positive banksaldo. Conclusion: [K1 DS Ending Sith voice] ALL HAIL FIREFOX, ALL HAIL FIREFOX, ALL HAIL FIREFOX [/K1 DS Ending Sith voice] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOssusKeeper Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Of course, but that does not mean Microsoft can leave the security holes wide open for spywares to come in. That’s why I say they are being lazy; I think they would know about the security flaws and holes, especially if their competitors know about them… I think they just don’t care, because their product (IE or it’s core) is used in nearly every mainstream ISP software package as well as various other types of software i.e. integrated into Windows OS’s… and they indeed are related to IE's flaws. When I said I didn’t think they were related, I meant that the third party apps i.e. anti-virus, anti-spyware, ad blockers etc. were not related to the reasons IE was flawed (still flawed) or has any baring on why they (Microsoft) can’t / wont fix their browser. I don’t think there is a Microsoft / third party company ripping us off conspiracy either. There's no anti-spyware built in Firefox as far as I know. It was also built to be a webbrowser with an integrated pop-up blocker. But, it also has less basic security flaws then IE and they indeed are related to IE's flaws. It's base coding is already full of holes. To defend Microsoft, I guess they wouldn't know all the kinds of possible flaws it has, but the Mozilla folks knew about them. Thus they were able to build up a browser with less known and easy to exploit security holes with a more solid base coding. Nevertheless, I don't really think that there's a whole "Microsoft and anti-virus software maker are just trying to rip us off". It would seem quite unlikely, but I once thought about it. It could very well be anti-virus software companies hire virus makers in order to continue the sales of their products. It seems the number of existing viruses is extremely high, a fact that I find quite odd. True there isn’t any anti-spyware in Firefox. That’s why I say having third party anti-virus, anti-spyware, ad blockers and pop-up blockers are a good thing. They only help to minimize the risks even farther. As far as Firefox having fewer security flaws, just means a company who saw that attention and focus on such vulnerabilities was a necessity. Microsoft could have done the same. *cough laziness cough* I wouldn’t defend Microsoft because they are a mass producer of software, the more software they make and the faster they can get it out to the public, the more money they make, flawed software or not. That’s why there is virtually dozens of updates and upgrades for all of their software, not just a hand full. As for Microsoft not knowing about their flaws seems to me a little far fetched. How could they not know? It could very well be anti-virus software companies hire virus makers in order to continue the sales of their products. It seems the number of existing viruses is extremely high, a fact that I find quite odd. As a matter of fact, I think they do hire virus makers to help with their ever growing list of virus dat files, but to hire them to shoot viruses out to the public to sell their software, now that might be reaching a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Maker Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Firefox pwns IE. end of story. And heith whom useth the evilness from Microsoft shall perish. But anyhow I completely agree that Firefox pwns everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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