Are two different internet browers a security risk? Any websites that verify/certify the addons?

Question

After a spyware scare, I am trying to secure my home network. I have Internet Explorer 7 and am limiting all the addons, etc. with that. I have read that Firefox is more secure and woudl like to use that as my main browser, with I.E. 7 only for windows updates and those websites that don't work well with Firefox. Is this really risky?

Also, I would like to secure them but am not sure which addons are best. Windows and Firefox point you to addons, but with Firefox, the addons are often unverified or unsigned(?). Is there any reputable website that certifies/checks them?

Thanks,

D

Answer 1

IE-7 is a resonably safe and secure browser as long as you keep it updated with all Windows security and critical updates. I have never had a problem with malware exploiting vulnerabilities even in the supposedly "unsafe" IE-6.

But I always add IE-Spyad to all my computers.

IE-Spyad adds a list of thousands (25,000) of potentially harmful websites and domains into Internet Explorers "Restricted Sites Zone". Sites in this Zone are viewable but are limited in their ability to use often harmful Active-X,
applets, scripts and cookies. The list is updated on a fairly regular basis, although the user must go to the website to do this.

It's good stuff and free of course.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

Answer 2

That is a good way of doing things. I do the same thing the odd time I use XP. I use Firefox 99% of the time and IE for those sites I have to go that only work with IE like Windows update. Firefox has security bugs but when IE gets some huge ones. As for firefox plugins. The firefox web site has lots of them available for download. They aren't certified but in general they should be ok. In the event one of them has a security bug you have better chance of hearing about it.

Answer 3

It is safe to have multiple web browsers. You will not have any issues setting your system as you outlined in your question. Just ensure you have a Firewall activated, Anti-virus software activated, and Anti-Spyware and other Malware tools.

Please note that you can only run one Firewall and Anti-Virus program on a system at a time. Even having multiple versions installed at the same time is unhealthy for your system even if one is not activated. These cause grave instability, causes the activated solution to not properly do its job, and can cause your system to blue screen out which is a computer crash.

You can have multiple Anti-Spyware and other malware programs at one time. However, I do encourage you to use just one solution for ease of use and maintainance. When you begin using multiple solutions it can become confusing and when something interfers with programs working properly it gets difficult to pinpoint the issue.

Good luck and have a great day.

Answer 4

Firefox addons are safe if you go true the Firefox site.
http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/customize/

I use FF as my main browser and IE only to update and scan with online antivirus/online anti adware sites.