What's the best, Firefox or Internet Explorer?

Question

My friend keeps telling me to get FireFox, he always says how much better than Internet Explorer it is... Is it really that much better??? Are there less viruses or what???

Answer 1

IE uses Active X, here is what Microsoft has to say about it:
"An ActiveX control can be an extremely insecure way to provide a feature...From the moment a user downloads an ActiveX control, the control may be vulnerable to attack"
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/components/activex/security.asp
(By default Firefox doesn't have Active X at all)

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team recommends you use a different browser:
"There are a number of significant vulnerabilities in technologies related to the IE domain/zone security model,...ActiveX (etc)...It is possible to reduce exposure to these vulnerabilities by using a different web browser"
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878

Here are their security records side by side, you will see that no browser is perfect, but IE is the least secure one you can be using:
http://www.webdevout.net/security-summary#vulnerabilities

According to PC World magazine:
“Internet Explorer 7 Is Still Not Safe Enough”
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128536-page,1-c,internetexplorer/article.html

IE supports webstandards horribly:
http://www.webstandards.org/files/acid2/test.html

If you are worried about fake websites steeling your ID both browsers have phishing protection, but IE will send every website you visit to Microsoft; by default FF will not.

Concerning the default setting in FF:
"With this option selected ('Check using a downloaded list...'), Firefox will check the current site against a frequently updated list stored on your computer. No data about the sites you visit is transferred to third-party anti-phishing providers..."
http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/options

With IE7, if you want phishing protection, you have no choice - your farm sex porn surfing habits will be sent to IE whether you like it or not.
"When you use Phishing Filter to check websites automatically or manually, the address of the website you are visiting will be sent to Microsoft, together with some standard information from your computer such as IP address, browser type..."
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7/privacy/ieprivacy_pr7.mspx

Answer 2

These days they are about equal.

A year or so ago Firefox definitely had the lead but IE7 has made leaps and bounds in terms of functionality and security since then.

What I have read recently on the Tech sites I belong to is that Firefox has more "technical" issues than IE. Other than that, I see very little discussion about the two browsers these days. I assume that is because the dust has settled and they are in fact quite equal.

I use them both and find them relatively equal for most users.

People saying IE downloads more viruses than Firefox are simply all wet. Browsers don't "download viruses", the people running the PC do. So as long as you surf safely and have proper antivirus, spyware protection, etc. on your PC you'll be just fine.

I have IE7, Firefox, and Opera on my PC and use them all.

So try them all and see which one you like.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Definitely Firefox is the better of the two. It's more customizable with loads of add-ons and all. It is also less prone to browser hijacking and is more robust than IE. You will definitely like it.

Firefox has got limitations too,
1.You can view some sites (very few) only on IE.
2.You shouldn't set Firefox as your default browser, because Windows and most other software connect to the net through IE.

Still, Firefox wins hands down against IE.

Answer 4

firefox is excellent, i use it and it is very reliable compared to internet explorer - there are less errors and unexpectant closing.
also another benefit is that if ur computer cuts out using firefox when u restart the computer firefox automatically reloads the pages you were browsing before the power cut, which is pretty handy :)

i would highly recommend firefox over internet explorer

Answer 5

FireFox is the best due to the fact it updates faster to protect your computer from outside virus attacks

Also has less secrurity holes than Internet Explorer.

And a Bunch of Magazines like PC World Gave it numerous awards.

Answer 6

You will just have to check it out. I have both here on mine but I like Firefox myself. I like the way it looks, and it just seam to be a better layout then internet explorer

Answer 7

I think Firefox is much better. It doesn't download as many viruses as IE

Answer 8

That's personal preferance at this point. At one point Firefox was said to have more security holes than IE7, that was several months ago so now IE could have more holes. Use which ever one you like better.

Answer 9

internet explorer